AKF Plastics

AKF Plastics Reinforces Sustainability Efforts with Extensive Solar Energy Installation

AKF Plastics — Tue, 13 Feb 2024 10:18:42 +0000

Extensive Solar Energy Installation

AKF Plastics has taken a significant step in its sustainability policy with the completion of an extensive solar energy project. With the installation of 1,318 solar panels covering a total area of 2,600 square meters, we are entering a new phase in our commitment to environmental protection and sustainable plastic production. These solar panels will collectively produce more than 500,000 kWh per year, making a significant contribution to energy efficiency and CO2 reduction.

Benefits for Customers

The transition to solar energy offers substantial benefits for AKF Plastics’ customers. By investing in sustainable energy sources, AKF ensures a greener production chain, contributing to our customers’ environmental objectives. Companies collaborating with AKF can reduce their own ecological footprint by sourcing products from a supplier that uses renewable energy. This not only strengthens their sustainability profile but also opens doors to new markets and customers who value social responsibility.

Benefits for AKF as an injection moulding company

For AKF Plastics, as a leading injection molding company, the investment in solar energy represents a significant advancement in efficiency and sustainability. The generated solar energy will be directly used in the production process, resulting in a substantial reduction in energy costs and a decrease in reliance on fossil fuels. This increased energy autonomy enables AKF to maintain a more stable production process, regardless of external energy price fluctuations, benefiting business continuity, in line with the Contingency Production strategy.

Panel Sustainability

The selected solar panels for this project are of high quality and designed for longevity, ensuring the sustainability of the investment. Their high efficiency and low maintenance requirements ensure a reliable long-term energy supply. Additionally, these panels contribute to the circular economy, as they are recyclable at the end of their lifecycle, further reducing ecological impact.

This progressive step confirms AKF Plastics’ position as a leader in sustainability within the plastic industry and demonstrates our commitment to the planet’s well-being, while providing tangible benefits to our partners and customers. With this project, AKF Plastics sets a new standard for the industry, highlighting the role that companies can play in transitioning to a greener economy.

For more information about AKF Plastics and this project, please contact us via email, the contact form, or by phone at +31 (0)6-53922140

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AKF Plastics Demonstrates Environmental Commitment with Recent Acquisition and Green Initiatives

AKF Plastics — Mon, 05 Feb 2024 10:08:00 +0000

AKF Plastics Works Hard to Offset CO2

AKF Plastics, leading in the plastics industry, is committed to a more sustainable future by taking significant steps in the field of environmental protection and sustainability. With a strong focus on corporate social responsibility, we have recently introduced some exciting developments that underline our commitment to the environment and our customers.

The Purchase of 7.4 Hectares of Forest in the Veluwe

AKF Plastics has recently acquired a significant piece of forest measuring 7,4 hectares, located near Kootwijk in the Veluwe. Deze aankoop is een belangrijke mijlpaal in onze inspanningen om de CO2-uitstoot te compenseren en natuurlijke ecosystemen te behouden. According to calculations, our new forest can offset approximately 88.8 tons of CO2 annually, making a tangible contribution to reducing our ecological footprint.

Dedicated to Natura 2000

What makes our forest project even more special is that it is located in aNatura 2000-area. Natura 2000 is a European network of protected natural areas, aimed at the conservation and restoration of biodiversity. This means that our forest plays a crucial role in preserving the natural beauty and ecological diversity of this region. We are committed to actively contributing to the preservation of this beautiful piece of nature, while continuing our environmental efforts and supporting our customers in meeting ESG requirements.

Investment in Solar Energy

In addition to our forest acquisition, we have also started the installation of 1,300 solar panels. This sustainable investment will not only contribute to our green objectives but also reduce our ecological footprint. By embracing green sources of energy, we are taking another step in our commitment to sustainability.

At AKF Plastics, we look forward to continuing these initiatives and strengthening our commitment to the environment and society. Together with our customers and partners, we want to have a positive impact on our planet.

For more information about AKF Plastics and this project, please contact us via email, the contact form, or by phone at +31 (0)6-53922140

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AKF Plastics collaborates with TPAC on sustainable recycling of thermoplastic composites

AKF Plastics — Mon, 11 Dec 2023 14:46:39 +0000

AKF Plastics collaborates with TPAC on sustainable recycling of thermoplastic composites

Naarden, December 11th, 2023 – AKF Plastics, a leading injection molding expert with a history dating back to the 1930s, has joined a groundbreaking research and development project in collaboration with TPAC (ThermoPlastics composites Application Center), a part of Saxion University of Applied Sciences. The aim of this project is nothing less than transforming thermoplastic composites from waste into reusable injection molding granules, resulting in a sustainable and circular solution for production waste and end-of-life material.

A Green Revolution in Thermoplastic Composites

The project involves a deep collaboration between AKF Plastics and TPAC, leveraging the expertise of both organizations to optimize the recycling processes of thermoplastic composites. This high-end material, often used in sectors such as aviation, requires specialized processes to be recycled into a reliable and usable new raw material for injection molding production. The ultimate goal is to ensure that these recycled materials retain their economic value and mechanical properties, resulting in a significantly lower carbon footprint.

A Commitment to Sustainability

Johan Bakker, director of AKF Plastics, emphasizes the importance of this collaborative project: “At AKF Plastics, we strive for innovation and sustainability in everything we do. We are proud to be part of this project that paves the way for a greener future in the industry. Together with TPAC, we are working to achieve a circular solution for materials that would otherwise be dumped or incinerated, and we are committed to reducing environmental impact.”

A Significant Contribution to a Greener World

This exciting project, part of AKF Plastics’ efforts to provide high-quality injection molding solutions, aims to make a tangible contribution to reducing environmental impact. Injection molding granules are produced from the collected materials, which are then processed by AKF Plastics into high-quality injection-molded products.

About AKF Plastics

Founded in the pre-war period, AKF Plastics has a long history and has grown into a prominent injection molding company providing high-quality plastic injection molding solutions for industrial clients in sectors such as aviation, automotive, and construction. The company focuses on economically, technically, and socially responsible production.

About TPAC

TPAC (ThermoPlastics composites Application Center) is an independent innovation, research, and development center focusing on the application of thermoplastic composites and related technology. They collaborate with SMEs on cost-effective processing, automation, and recycling of thermoplastic composites.

For more information about AKF Plastics and their involvement in this project, please contact Johan Bakker, director of AKF Plastics, at phone number +31 (0)6-53922140.

This project is a significant step towards a more sustainable future for the industry, with recycling and reuse at its core. AKF Plastics and TPAC are proud to be part of this positive change and remain committed to innovation and environmental awareness.

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What types of plastics can be used for injection moulding?

Johan Bakker — Thu, 24 Mar 2022 13:38:56 +0000

Different plastic materials for injection moulding

Here at AKF Plastics, we’re pioneers in next-generation injection moulding production. We provide high-quality injection moulding solutions for our clients in the automotive, aerospace, and construction industries.

While the world tends to talk about plastic and plastics overall, many different plastics exist. As such, all have their unique characteristics and uses. And that’s where we come in. And that’s where we come in.

We help our clients identify suitable plastic compounds for their needs and produce them to their requirements. We can even store and deliver these components if necessary! So on top of providing our injection moulding expertise, we can become a focal point of our clients’ supply chains.

Let’s learn a little more about the different types of plastics we work with and which industries they’re most widely used.

But first, the things all our plastics have in common

Here at AKF, we could use recycled plastics for all our injection moulding while maintaining the highest quality in production and robustness. All our finished components will also meet the necessary relevant certifications and ISO standards.

As such, all our injection moulding plastics are recyclable themselves. This means that you benefit from a reduced carbon footprint whether you use the components internally, are a supplier yourself, or manage products that use our injection moulded components. You can have confidence telling your clients and customers that the high-quality plastic they’re using has the highest eco-credentials possible.

What types of plastics are available from AKF?

Broadly speaking, we can split plastics into three main areas:

High-performance thermoplastics
Engineering thermoplastics
Standard thermoplastics

What are these, and how are they used?

High-performance thermoplastics

As you might have guessed from the name, these are the most advanced category of plastics and are where our main specialism lies.

In this category are high-end, high-tech, expensive materials like Poly-Ether-Ether-Ketone (PEEK), Teflon (PFA), and Polyphenylene sulphide (PPS). Generally, these are the more robust plastics with the ability to withstand exceptionally high temperatures and maintain their shape when exposed to these temperatures and other sources of stress.

For our clients in the aerospace industry, we only use these high-performance technical thermoplastics and polymers to ensure the plastic parts we produce can perform the job they need to.

We also use high-performance thermoplastics for some automotive projects, depending on our clients’ needs. These plastics will be deployed in high-stress locations of vehicles, potentially used as the fuel tank and elsewhere in the fuel system, and house components like lighting.

Engineering thermoplastics

Engineering thermoplastics are considered a “mid-level” plastic but make no mistake, these plastics are still incredibly strong and can often withstand significant temperatures and pressures.

This category of thermoplastics includes things like polybutylene terephthalate (PBT), polyamide (PA), Acrylo-Nitrile-Butadiene-Styrene (ABS), and polyphthalamide (high-performance polyamide or PPA).

Such is the range of plastic in this category that there are several uses for these plastics.

At AKF, we use them for our clients in the construction and automotive industries, depending on their specific needs and desired uses.

In both industries, engineering thermoplastics can have several uses. For example, in construction, these plastics can enhance the strength of buildings or other building components, insulate electrical wiring, or be moulded to provide cosmetic and aesthetic enhancements for building projects.

In contrast, engineering plastics are commonly found under the hood in the automotive sector, often in conjunction with and connecting to high-performance thermoplastics.

Standard thermoplastics

These plastics are the cheapest to produce. As such, they have lower levels of functionality in terms of strength and flexibility. However, they can still be instrumental in a wide range of applications.

Most typically, these plastics are polyolefins, a class that itself has a vast number of specific plastics sitting within it. While some of these plastics are very low strength and easy to break – think polystyrene and disposable plastic cups – the plastics we use in our injection moulding are robust and able to meet our clients’ assembly or usage demands.

As with engineering thermoplastics, standard plastics aren’t used in the aerospace sector but are widely found in construction and automotive applications.

For example, these plastics are widely used for gravel mats and panelling in construction. In contrast, in the automotive space, they’ll typically be used for a combination of interior and exterior features, such as bumpers, dashboard housing, and other internal panelling.

Whatever you need, we can produce it at scale!

At AKF Plastics, we can help you with all your injection moulded plastic component needs.

From advising you on the right plastics you’ll need to use to hit regulatory standards in your industry to aiding you with the design of your components, right through to the production and, if required, storage and assembly, we’ve got you covered.

Whether you need high-end thermoplastics or something produced from the cheaper compounds, we can make what you need at scale and at a reasonable cost.

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4 innovative automotive design trends that will grow in 2022

Johan Bakker — Fri, 10 Sep 2021 11:45:21 +0000

INJECTION MOULDING FOR AUTOMOTIVE

The automotive industry has always been fast-moving. As new tech becomes available and consumers become ever more demanding about the features they want in their next vehicle purchase, it’s vital you and your design teams can deliver what people want. On top of that, as a vehicle manufacturer, you need to ensure you’re not just at the forefront of design but are meeting things like your environmental and corporate social responsibilities, too.

Here are four innovative automotive design trends that will become even more prevalent in 2022 and beyond.

Injection moulding for plastics

Injection moulding for plastic parts has long been prevalent in the aerospace industry and is increasingly used in automotive design.
Whether used for small components like cupholders, as coverings around parts of the door or around the steering wheel, or for larger plastic parts, injection moulding allows you to get the parts you need at the highest quality available.

As moulding is used, you’re guaranteed the same consistent result each time. Coupled with reasonable costs and a very low product failure rate, injection moulding can help you build better cars at a lower cost.

Recycled plastic automotive parts

It is likely that a significant volume of the plastic parts you include in your vehicles are already the result of recycled plastic. The point here is more that this will become an increasing focus for manufacturers. Instead of “recycled plastic” being a helpful bonus feature, it will become the expected norm.

Automotive manufacturers who do not use recycled plastic will likely be asked, “why not?” and come under increasing pressure to do so.

Make the shift now and ensure you source your parts from suppliers who are working sustainably.

A desire for more “lightweight” car interiors

If a vehicle weighs less, then it requires less power to get the same performance. Knowing this, it’s unsurprising that there’s a trend towards and demand for lightweight yet still classy and stylish vehicle interiors.

This design trend is partly what has started to push the automotive industry towards plastic injection moulding. Plastic is obviously lighter than metal but can be produced so that it still looks premium, appealing to those who place high importance on the interior when choosing a new car.

Additives to make plastic carparts fire retardant and antimicrobial

While digital tech features continue to make their way into vehicles to enhance safety, there continues to be advancements in how the design itself continues to deliver improvements.

One growing trend is the use of additives both within plastics and in the coating applied to parts during the production process. Such additives can have various outcomes but are commonly used to make parts fire retardant, which could be life-saving in an accident or a fault with a vehicle’s fuel system.

Additives with antimicrobial properties are also being increasingly used in plastic parts. So even as the world hopefully moves definitively past Covid-19 over the next year, expect this to be a significant selling point for vehicles worldwide!

Modern design trends: Delivering the aesthetic as well as the practical

The most significant underlying trend behind all these innovations is that they deliver aesthetic and practical benefits. A convenient plastic injection mould isn’t just functional, but in modern automotive design, it will look great, too!

Contact us here to learn more about our services or check out how we use injection moulding for our automotive clients here.

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Mould costs from different perspectives; how to decide wisely

Johan Bakker — Wed, 10 Mar 2021 10:21:25 +0000

HOW TO DECIDE WISELY.

For injection moulding it is well known that one requires the good old injection mould. A lump of steel with absolutely no appeal whatsoever and generally with a huge price tag. Superficially the end customer tends to think that the unavoidable mould costs are part of his problem. Only insiders know that the injection moulder, as processor, has an ever greater interest in proper tooling. Injection moulds are being purchased all over the world and there is a huge variety in considerations of how, where and at what costs to source injection moulds.

Mould costing analysis

Let’s take a look into the mould costing analysis and purchasing strategies mainly from an economical point of view. Let’s also see what end customers and processors have as mutual interests and which strategy serves best for all parties involved. End customers tend to judge the non-recurring mould costs as a bit of a pain in the ass. The unavoidable investment to set up production and sales of the products derived from the mould.

One might have strategic or economical reasons to really judge and assess mould costs as one-off investments. Local tax rules may play a role in how to process these costs into the accounting system but in general they are judged as costs.

It is not more than logical and natural that the end customer, who is going to pick up the tab for the mould costs in the end, is really driven at reducing these costs. As such, by nature, the end customer will seek the lowest possible mould costs. After all one is not willing to spend more money than absolutely necessary for these tooling costs.

Mould costs as part of the product price

In reality however the unavoidable mould costs should be judged as ‘facilitating’ costs in order to ensure swift, smooth, high-levelled, fast, constant and high-quality production which is supposed to feed sales. As such the mould costs are, without any doubt, always part of an amortisation of some kind.

The investments into tooling could be better seen as part of the product price instead of a preceding burden. Unfortunately the latter is usually the way it is approached in organisations as a result of which the drive is at minimising the investment costs.

What do we mean by this?

Well psychologically one tends to look at a one-off investment figure. In injection moulding this usually starts with € 10K + figures. The end customer may be distraught by this amount. However it should be more in perspective if one is able to assess the meaning of these costs into the product price.

Say the investment in the mould is quoted as being 100,000 currency units. One could blindly focus at the huge amount of 100,000 currency units but one should better make a product related analysis. If I sell the following number of products the following applies :

units sold	absolute mould costs relative mould costs [per product]	relative mould costs
10	10,000	10 % of the investment
100	1,000	1 % of the investment
1.000	100	0.1 % of the investment
10.000	100	0.1 % of the investment
10.000	10	0.01 % of the investment
100.000	1	0.001 % of the investment
1.000.000	0.1	0.0001 % of the investment
10.000.000	0.01	0.00001 % of the investment

In that range of sales figures it becomes obvious that the mould costs are about to vaporise and are being reduced to a mere pre-financing.

Sales risk for the injection moulder

Of course the critical end customer will object and state that it is not guaranteed that these sales figures will be met. However there the end customer is shifting sales risk on to the injection moulder. The uncertainty in sales drives the price reduction in tooling. It is difficult but at the same time vitally important that sales are assessed properly in order to facilitate tooling investments.

Reliable and robust injection mould

On the other hand the processor is primarily interested in the most reliable and robust injection mould. The injection moulder will at the most ad an administrative profit margin onto the mould costs, but has interest in earning through the production output of units. For the processor the mould is a one-off thing while production should have a long term character.

Additional costs injection mould

However if the injection moulder is forced into obtaining the required injection mould at the lowest possible costs there may occur two risk situations for the injection moulder. A non-functioning injection mould may cause either additional costs, due to it’s sales character mainly in the risk area of the injection moulder, or may obstruct sufficient output.

Low quantity sales eliminate the options to recover additional mould operating costs for the processor while high quantity sales may reduce turnover in the case of malfunction tooling. In either case the profitability of the processor is being pressurised.

Mutual acceptable pricing

So it seems there is a conflict of interest between the processor and the end customer when it comes to mould investment costs. However if one is willing to change the cost assessment model into an amortisation model one is able to find a mutual acceptable pricing.

End customers should realise that incomplete marketing models shift sales risks onto the processor who might even take additional risks in order to cope with this. A cumulation of such risks usually disrupts future business relationships.

Feel free to contact us for more information and download our free eGuides about mould costs.

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Haitian Jupiter 16000 III injection moulding machine

AKF Plastics — Tue, 17 Dec 2019 13:56:00 +0000

AKF Plastics is increasing its capacity by investing in a Haitian Jupiter 16000 III injection moulding machine.

The 1600 ton clamping force enables us to produce large parts in large or smaller specialized series.

This machine is fully automated with a handling robot and a palletization system. The extra capacity enables us to expand our product portfolio for the construction, aerospace, automotive and various other markets. Our new machine will be available from Q2 – 2020! AKF Plastics will then be able to meet every demand for injection moulded parts. Starting from <0.03 grams to 10 kilograms in technical engineering, whether it is granulated / recycled material or high-quality plastic.

Feel free to contact us for more information.

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Bussum on Ice is another successful event

AKF Plastics — Mon, 14 Jan 2019 13:49:00 +0000

Bussum on Ice is another successful event

AKF / AGF Industry BV Netherlands was the proud sponsor of Bussum On Ice last month.

The eleventh annual Bussum on Ice was another big success. No fewer than 25,000 people have visited the ice rink.

For four weeks, everyone could enjoy skating on the ice rink on the square in front of the Town Hall. In addition to free skating, all kinds of activities were offered on the ice rink, including school skating, disco skating, skating for the little ones, ice hockey and curling. Visitors could also enjoy the restaurant during one of the live music evenings, or the pub quiz, karaoke or bingo evening.

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AKF / AGF proudly sponsors Bussum on Ice

AKF Plastics — Mon, 10 Dec 2018 13:34:00 +0000

AKF / AGF Industry BV the Netherlands proudly sponsors Bussum on Ice.

After months of preparation and assistance from sponsors and volunteers, Bussum On Ice opened last Friday. The mayor has given the go-ahead for a month of skating fun in Bussum. The ice rink will be there until 6 January 2019.

There will also be many other activities on the rink. For example, the ice rink is reserved every Saturday and Sunday morning from 9 a.m. to 10 a.m. for the little ones for skating, so that children up to 6 years of age can practice in peace. Every Saturday evening from 19:00 to 22:00 will be disco skating, and there will also be ice hockey and curling competitions. And of course skating lessons are also available.

Would you like more information? Then take a look at the Bussum on Ice website.

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WANTED: New cradle-to-cradle product

AKF Plastics — Wed, 03 May 2017 13:23:00 +0000

AKF / AGF Industry BV Netherlands has developed a new method for reprocessing thermoplastic composite (CFRTC).

In this method, thermoplastic composite residual material consisting of PPS (Poly-Phenylene-Sulfide) with continuous, woven, carbon fiber is worked up into injection-moulded granules with reduced fiber length (short-fiber carbon filling).

Test spraying has now been carried out and the technology has been developed on a pilot scale.

In this way AKF / AGF Naarden has achieved two objectives: Firstly, we fulfil the ever-increasing demand for recycling of composites. Secondly, we provide a high-tech material, at very acceptable costs, for non-certified or less demanding applications in which the reuse of raw materials is possible or permitted.

We are currently looking for applications from parties who either want to develop a product from recycled material, or want to have an existing (injection moulded) product exported in a recycled material.

For further information, please contact our sales department.

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