A new technological advancement, undertaken in conjunction with the Specialty Polymers and Adhesives (SP&A) Div. of Ashland Specialty Chemical has led Cookson Plastic Molding to develop pallets with a bond that is virtually indestructible.

The RACK’R 2K is a truly rackable, automation-friendly, fully recyclable plastic pallet.
A new technological advancement, undertaken in conjunction with the Specialty Polymers and Adhesives (SP&A) Div. of Ashland Specialty Chemical Co., Dublin, Ohio, has led Cookson Plastic Molding Corp., Material Handling Div. (MHD), Latham, N.Y., to develop pallets with a bond that is virtually indestructible.

Cookson has incorporated Ashland’s EMABOND® process in the manufacture of its bonded thermoplastic pallets. “Our use of the EMABOND process creates a bond that is stronger than the material itself and guarantees a greater strength of the bond,” said John M. Kourouglos, executive vice president of Cookson MHD.

According to Bob Reivik, president of Cookson MHD, “Our desire was to bond together a two-piece pallet that would perform better at a lower pallet weight. The two-piece pallets using the EMABOND process in manufacture exhibit a synergism that makes them as strong or stronger than one-piece molded pallets. Working with Ashland to incorporate the EMABOND process is, and will continue to be, key as we continue to develop new, high-performance plastic pallets.”

The pallets manufactured using EMABOND currently are marketed under Cookson’s RACK’R™ 2K and Duro-Cell® product lines. Cookson anticipates using the process in the manufacture of most of its bonded plastic pallets made in the United States by the end of the year.

“The EMABOND process produces structural, leak-proof, pressure-tight bonds for thermoplastic-part assembly,” said Steven M. Chookazian, business development manager of the SP&A Div. of Ashland Specialty Chemical Co. “As used in Cookson’s applications, it consists of an inductive heat source, a press and Ashland's specially formulated thermoplastic resin.

“The Emabond material is 100-percent solids, environmentally friendly and extremely reliable,” said Chookazian. “The EMABOND process, combined with the custom-formulated Emabond material, not only meets Cookson’s needs, but replaces ultrasonic welding and provides part-to-part repeatability.”

Among the plastic pallets being bonded with the new process, the RACK’R 2K is a truly rackable, automation-friendly, fully recyclable plastic pallet that meets or surpasses the performance standards and specifications established by the Grocery Manufacturers’ Association for 40-in x 48-in, edge-rackable wood pallets.

For more information on the EMABOND process, contact the Specialty Polymers and Adhesives Div. of Ashland Specialty Chemical Co. at 49 Walnut St., Norwood, NJ 07648; phone 201-767-7400; e-mail schookazian@ashland.com; or visit www.ashspec.com.

For more information on welded plastic pallets, contact Cookson Plastic Molding Corp. at 888-738-8800; e-mail sales_info@cooksonpm.com; or visit www.cooksonmhd.com/pr.

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