TUBE NEWS TN May 2018 | Page 8

Riverdale Global Builds First Fully Automated Plant for Manufacturing Liquid Colors and Additives Plant Due for Completion This Summer Will Enhance Color Quality, Provide Computerized Traceability, and Reduce Order Lead Times Riverdale Global is nearing completion of the first fully automated plant for manufacturing liquid colorants and additives for the plastics industry. Housed in a 200,000 sq.ft. (18,580 sq.m) facility on a 23-acre property in High Point, the new facility is expected to be producing colorants this summer. The High Point plant will automate production of pigments and their dispersion in liquid carriers. While the standard industry practice is to use the same equipment and containers for multiple colors, Riverdale Global is building dedicated hoppers, augers, and containers for each pigment, eliminating the need for cleaning when switching from one pigment to another. The containers have built-in pigment mills and dispersion blades and remain closed and sealed to prevent cross-contamination and material waste. The containers combine any of 100 pigments with various types of liquid carrier to produce single- pigment dispersions (SPDs). Riverdale Global has hundreds of SPD formulations in its database. The SPDs are shipped to “satellite” plants where they are custom-blended for local customers. “Our new operation at High Point will be completely computer-controlled, making possible real-time inventory control that will reduce order lead times and allow for automatic traceability with raw material lot numbers,” said Paul Maguire, president of Riverdale Global. “Combined with dedicated equipment, this control will ensure superior product quality and consistency.” 8 TUBE NEWS May 2018 The High Point facility represents an investment of USD $4-million. Already fully operational at the site are a color development laboratory and a satellite plant for blending SPDs. The satellite operation has been relocated from nearby Statesville, NC. RIVERDALE GLOBAL, LLC specializes in liquid color management for the plastics industry through our sealed color delivery system, computerized color technology, and global service network. The company’s world headquarters is in Aston, Pennsylvania, U.S.A., with international offices based in the United Kingdom, Dubai, Singapore, and China. The Riverdale legacy dates back to the early 1900s as a supplier of dyes and industrial chemicals with a focus today on economy through process automation, sustainability and local service. .