Milacron partners with Trexel on MuCell injection technology

Processing equipment maker Milacron LLC is partnering with Trexel Inc. to incorporate the MuCell microcellular foam injection molding technology into Milacron injection molding machines.

“We believe that Milacron is uniquely capable to provide the complete melt distribution and control solution for MuCell systems,” said Bruce Catoen, chief technology officer with Cincinnati, Ohio-based Milacron. “The light weighting, low tonnage, reduced warp and sink benefits of MuCell can now be exploited in markets that were previously not possible.”

Under the agreement, Milacron will receive the rights to resell the Trexel MuCell SCF gas dosing equipment directly to their customers under the Milacron, Ferromatik, Uniloy and Mold-Masters brands while transferring the operating rights under Trexel’s patents to their end user without any added fees or costs.

The Trexel MuCell foaming technology involves the introduction of metered quantities of atmospheric gases (nitrogen or carbon dioxide) to create a foamed part.  According to Trexel, the result is a high quality precision and engineered plastic component with reduced production costs associated with lower material consumption, shorter molding cycle times, and reduced machine clamping tonnage requirements. For the automotive sector, the MuCell process has the ability to enable component manufacturers to light weight plastic parts for overall vehicle weight reduction and improved fuel economy – which Trexel said is one of the main target areas of the partnership with Milacron. “Uniloy is a leading blow molding machinery manufacturer and we look forward to partnering with them in developing blow molded automotive light weighting solutions,” said Trexel president and CEO Steve Braig.