In the first of our exhibitor interview series for our 2023 North America expo, we spoke to A.J. Pasquale, Director of Operations at Insight Polymers & Compounding.

Insight Polymers & Compounding provides unique and novel solutions for custom and specialty polymer compounds. With expertise in the physical and chemical properties of polymers, they serve as a plastic products supplier and manufacturer offering concentrate masterbatches, fully formulated systems and new product development services. They also specialize in developmental polymer compounding tailored to specific requirements.

What do you think sets your company apart from your competitors?

Reliable service, flexible compounding assets and extensive experience in polymer science makes us an ideal innovation, scale-up and production partner in emerging areas such high filled nanoparticles, mechanochemistry and sustainable material solutions.   

Are there any new technology developments that your company is working on at the moment?

Insight Polymers is highly engaged in product and process development, and we have a number of ongoing programs both internally and in collaboration with customers and industry partners. We recently introduced a new material for FDM additive manufacturing that reduces gloss and provides a matte finish.  We are seeing initial positive results for PETG- and PLA- based materials.

What are the biggest challenges facing the industry today and how can this be overcome?

Supply chain challenges, both raw material- and capital equipment-related, are and will be a constraint on the industry. In addition, sustainability and circularity are going to continue to drive consumer and market behaviors. We believe cooperative system-wide strategies that combine material innovation from producers with education and engagement at the consumer level are the best approaches to navigate this challenge.

How do you see the sector developing in the next five to ten years?

We see a continuing trend of more sustainable plastics, which are biodegradable and more easily recycled, replacing the reduction and elimination of single-use plastics. Plastics for automotive will also evolve with continued EV adoption. Different functionality and property requirements for EV vs ICE vehicles will provide numerous opportunities for material innovation.

What are you most looking forward to at this years’ show?

This will be our 4^th time attending and 3^rd time exhibiting. We always look forward to face-to-face interactions with peers we already know, meeting many folks for the first time and discussing compounding and material needs and innovation. 
 

Insight Polymers & Compounding is exhibiting at the Compounding World Expo North America 2023.