Bioplastics become more attractive for industry
08/06/2023
As part of project RUBIO, the Fraunhofer Institute for Applied Polymer Research IAP is developing novel types of the bioplastic polybutylene succinate (PBS). The bioplastic films made from PBS are recyclable, biodegradable and can be processed on standard extrusion lines.
Collaboration project shows: multi-layer packaging can be separated and recycled on an industrial scale
08/06/2023
A Collaboration project involving BASF, Krones, SÜDPACK, and TOMRA gives proof of concept for closed recycling loop for PET-based multi-layer packaging.
Faster mould set-up – more efficient production
01/06/2023
ENGEL helps injection moulding processors optimize product changeover times through customized training and technologies such as the Setup wizard to achieve higher productivity, lower unit costs and more profit.
Borealis launches portfolio of circular plastomers and elastomers based on renewable feedstock
01/06/2023
Borealis introduces the Bornewables™ line of Queo™, a range of plastomers and elastomers based on renewable feedstock. The introduction follows the International Sustainability and Carbon Certification (ISCC PLUS) of Borealis' production site for the Queo™ portfolio, in Geleen, the Netherlands.
Shape memory polymers: more efficient tooth correction thanks to TPU
31/05/2023
The treatment of malocclusions can sometimes be lengthy and cost-intensive. A new corrective splint (aligner) is needed for each individual therapy step. So-called shape memory polymers can help not only to make the therapy more patient-friendly, but also to reduce material waste.
Renewable energies: Bringing wind power forward with PU resins
26/05/2023
At Covestro's Wind Technology Center, research is being conducted into making wind technology more efficient. To do this, a close look is taken at wind turbines – where are opportunities to use special materials that drive renewable energy? The big goal behind it: Climate neutrality and a circular economy.
Enzyme that breaks down PET plastic: Leipzig scientists increase efficiency
18/05/2023
A research team at the University of Leipzig has further improved the functioning of an enzyme that can degrade PET plastic. Through computer simulations and experiments, they were able to rationally improve the enzyme and are now working on developing the third generation of the enzyme.
LAPP uses new bio-based plastic from BASF – Organic ETHERLINE® now available too
18/05/2023
The company LAPP is using a new bio-based plastic from BASF for the sustainable version of its ETHERLINE® FD P Cat.5e for Industrial Ethernet. The bio-based plastic is Elastollan® N, the thermoplastic polyurethane from BASF, which is part of its circular economy strategy.
CO2BioClean: Turning CO₂ into biodegradable plastics
17/05/2023
CO2BioClean is using an innovative process to produce biodegradable plastics and polymers from CO₂ as a circularly sourced feedstock. What is driving them is their vision for a sustainable future and the potential of their technology to contribute towards global efforts to reduce CO₂ emissions and the use of fossil fuels in the production of plastics.
Chemists redesign biological PHAs, 'dream' biodegradable plastics
11/05/2023
Colorado State University polymer chemists have created a synthetic Polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHA) platform. These newly designed PHAs are mechanically tough, even outperforming the two most common commodity plastics. Among other things, this is intended to address the thermal instability of conventional PHAs and is a major step toward sustainability.
Covestro expands its range of more sustainable polycarbonates
11/05/2023
Covestro AG offers a polycarbonate with a 90 percent recycled content of plastic from post-consumer waste (PCR) that can be used in consumer electronics, among other applications. The company is collaborating with Jabra on the Evolve2 headset and making progress on climate-neutral solutions through mass balancing.
Better recycling of plastic packaging: New process extracts fragrances
04/05/2023
Researchers at the Fraunhofer Institute have developed an environmentally friendly process to remove fragrances from plastic packaging. The process is based on pressurized water extraction and removes the fragrance limonene from HDPE packaging. By evaluating the data using machine learning methods, it was possible to optimize the extraction parameters.
High-performance additives for sustainable plastics: Evonik invests in Interface Polymers
04/05/2023
Evonik Industries AG has invested in the British company Interface Polymers Ltd. This investment from the Sustainability Tech Fund strengthens Evonik's position in sustainable products and recycling processes. Interface Polymers' technology enables easier processing and recycling of plastics.
First comparative study on automated analysis methods of large data sets in microplastics research
27/04/2023
The lack of standardized analytical procedures for microplastic data has led to significant deviations, especially for small particles with high hazard potential. Researchers from the University of Bayreuth and the Alfred Wegener Institute have compared two automated analysis procedures and called for standardization to improve the comparability of data.
BluCon Biotech welcomes strategic investment by major chemical group LG Chem
27/04/2023
The two companies BluCon Biotech GmbH and LG Chem Ltd entered into an investment agreement. Together, they plan to work on a novel process to convert lignocellulosic non-food raw materials into high-purity lactic acid.
Project STOP marks major milestones and expands waste collection services to over 300,000 people
20/04/2023
Project STOP, co-funded by Borealis and Systemiq, has created positive social and environmental impact in three cities in Indonesia, including the launch of the scale-up programme Project STOP Banyuwangi Hijau from Muncar into the Banyuwangi Region.
Covestro expands production capacity for polycarbonate films in Thailand
20/04/2023
The company Covestro plans to further increase its global production capacity for polycarbonate (PC) specialty films by starting to build new extrusion lines at the Map Ta Phut Industrial Park in Thailand. The completion is planned by 2025 and the investment is in the higher double-digit million euro range.
A wholly sustainable plastics economy is feasible
13/04/2023
In a study under the leadership of the ETH Zurich, the scientists point out that plastic products must be better aligned with the circular economy in future. The study finds that circular plastics are feasible within planetary boundaries. This would require at least 74 percent of the plastic to be recycled.
Solar-powered system converts plastic and greenhouse gases into sustainable fuels
13/04/2023
Researchers at the University of Cambridge have developed a system that can convert plastic waste and greenhouse gases into sustainable fuels and other valuable products – using energy from the sun alone. In the system, two waste streams are simultaneously converted into two chemical products.
"Wonder Matter(s)" – Plastics at Milan Design Week 2023
12/04/2023
Plastic is a wonderful material. It can take on almost any shape, colour and texture. This versatility opens up countless possibilities for designers. This is also proven by the exhibition "Wonder Matter(s)", which will take place during the Milan Design Week 2023 and in which innovative plastics will be presented in partly extraordinary installations.
Additive manufacturing is pioneering for Röchling Industrial
12/04/2023
Röchling Industrial integrated the Röchling Direct Manufacturing Center from Waldachtal into the Röchling Industrial Laupheim at the Burgrieden site. The international plastics processor takes an important step in the industrialization of its 3D printing competencies and continues to focus on additive manufacturing.
First PET Bottle-to-Bottle Recycling Line in Kenya
12/04/2023
Megh Group company T3 (EPZ) Limited is going to install the first PET recycling system for bottle-grade rPET and resin in Kenya and Eastern Africa, a Starlinger recoSTAR PET 165 HC iV+ recycling line, in Athi River just outside Nairobi.
Researchers use light to convert abundant lignin into plastic that can be continually recycled
05/04/2023
Boston College chemists have developed an approach that uses light to transform lignin into sustainable plastics. The findings advance a potential strategy for the waste-free system of polymer manufacture and re-use known as the circular plastic economy.
LyondellBasell and KIRKBI invest in APK to develop recycling technology
20/03/2023
The two companies LyondellBasell and KIRKBI signed an agreement to make an investment in the company APK. APK has developed the unique solvent-based Newcycling® process, which separates the different polymers of multi-layer packaging materials and produces recycled materials with a high degree of purity suitable for new packaging materials.
Covestro to build its largest TPU site in China
20/03/2023
The company Covestro will build its largest Thermoplastic Polyurethanes (TPU) site in Zhuhai, China. The TPU site will be built in three phases. The first phase will be completed in late 2025 and the final phase in 2033.
Sustainable plastic packaging: AI supports design and production
15/03/2023
Plastic packaging made from recycled material? Yes, but please as high quality as possible – and recyclable! This poses great challenges for manufacturers, because the use of recycled materials still often leads to downcycling. One key to more sustainable plastic packaging lies in digitalisation. This is also where the KIOptiPack project comes in.
Degradation of Plastic Waste using newly Developed Biocatalysts
13/03/2023
A research team from the University of Greifswald, together with scientists from Covestro AG, has identified enzymes capable of degrading polyurethanes and polyvinyl alcohol. The research helps to establish a sustainable and environmentally-friendly process to recycle these polymers.
Borealis Borcycle™ C chemical recycling provides circular solutions for crosslinked polyethylene for the Wire & Cable and Infrastructure sectors
13/03/2023
The company Borealis is using its Borcycle™ C chemical recycling process to recycle crosslinked polyethylene (PE) types into recycled polyethylene. The EverMinds™ approach provides innovative and viable solutions to recycling challenges in the Wire & Cable and Infrastructure industries.
Stable yet degradable: researchers develop chemical pre-determined breaking points in polymer chains
08/03/2023
We encounter high-density polyethylene (HDPE) every day, for example as detergent packaging or films. HDPE is particularly stable and resistant. In terms of sustainability, however, it still has a long way to go, because its high stability is often accompanied by poor degradability.
Performance meets circularity: fibre-reinforced plastics become recyclable
27/01/2023
Recycled plastics are often less efficient than new plastics. But they can be upgraded - namely by using fibre composites. In turn, they make the plastics difficult to recycle. The All-Polymer project shows how both are possible: high-performance materials and a closed cycle.
traceless: material made from plant-based polymers protects climate and environment
19/01/2023
As early as 1908, textile engineer Jacques Brandenberger invented cellophane, a film made of natural polymers. However, the material was displaced by synthetic polymers with the development of numerous plastics. In the wake of the climate crisis, natural polymers are now coming back into focus as an alternative to fossil raw materials. traceless offers such an alternative.
ProQuIV optimizes the production of nonwoven masks
09/01/2023
Producing infection control clothing requires a lot of energy and uses lots of material resources. Fraunhofer researchers have now developed a technology which helps to save materials and energy when producing nonwovens. A digital twin controls key manufacturing process parameters on the basis of mathematical modeling.
SABIC debuts new copolymer resin for PV connectors, delivering highest CTI level to support emerging 1.5KV systems
04/01/2023
SABIC, a global leader in the chemical industry, launched today a breakthrough polycarbonate (PC)-based copolymer resin, well-suited for photovoltaic (PV) connector bodies, that meets stricter performance and regulatory requirements for emerging 1.5Kv solar systems.
Dow launches the world's first recyclable silicone self-sealing tire solution
26/12/2022
The company Dow has announced the launch of the world's first recyclable self-sealing silicone solution for tires. The new silicone sealant technology, called SiLASTIC™ Self-sealing Silicone, is designed to form a self-sealing layer on the inside of a tire.
The VR glove from the 3D printer
26/12/2022
In a project called "Manufhaptics", researchers at Empa, together with EPFL and ETH Zurich, want to develop a VR glove that will make virtual worlds tangible. The VR glove is to be created using a 3D printing process and will have three different actuators.
Orthopaedic insoles made of Elastollan® – more comfortable, sustainable and individual
19/12/2022
Shoe insoles made of Elastollan®, BASF's thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU), offer a high degree of individualization freedom. The production of shoe insoles in 3D printing enables smooth transitions between soft and hard structures.
Joining Forces: Fast-as-lightning 3D Microprinting with Two Lasers
19/12/2022
A research team from the Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT), the University of Heidelberg, and the Queensland University of Technology (QUT) developed a laser printing process that can print micrometer-sized parts within a very short time.
Circular clothing – recycling of polyester-containing textiles
13/12/2022
The overall eco-balance of polyester is better than that of natural fibres like cotton. Nevertheless, textiles containing polyester do not have a good reputation. Today, one property of the material in particular is criticised: it does not decompose naturally. This makes a collection and recycling of such textiles all the more important. But a circular economy for polyester does not yet exist.
K 2022: Heat-resistant C-PET light cup promotes circular economy – a transparent alternative for hot-fill applications
01/12/2022
Together with Sukano AG and Kiefel Packaging B.V., the company SML Maschinengesellschaft mbH has developed a cup made of C-PET light that is heat-resistant and combines transparency and recyclability.
Plastics of the future will live many past lives, thanks to chemical recycling
01/12/2022
A research team at the University of Colorado Boulder has discovered how durable plastics used in the aerospace and microelectronics industries broken down into their most basic building blocks and then formed again into the same material. In the process, they do not lose their physical properties.
Bend it like PU – Plastics in sport
30/11/2022
Today, no one can imagine leather balls, wooden rackets, bamboo poles or cinder tracks in sporting competition. Natural materials have now been almost completely replaced by other materials: plastics. They are light, robust and highly functional. Thanks to intensive research, they are also becoming more and more efficient – and ultimately lead to new world records.
Borealis and REHAU accelerate circularity for furniture products with Bornewables™ premium circular polyolefins
22/11/2022
REHAU chooses Borealis' Bornewables™ over conventional polypropylene (PP) for production of their RAUKANTEX evo sustainable edgebands. The robust and durable Bornewables™ feature color-stable chemistry and flexibility and are suitable for processing straight and contoured edges.
Covestro collaboration with SABIC unlocks improved recyclability for mono-material flexible plastic pouches
21/11/2022
The company Covestro AG has developed a new heat-resistant coating for use on mono-material stand-up pouches made with SABIC's PE/BOPE technology. The coating facilitates high-speed industrial production of stand-up pouches made with SABIC® BOPE biaxially oriented polyethylene. The new solution enables simpler, single-stream recycling.
Sustainable face masks: recyclable and climate-friendly
21/11/2022
With the development of the first 100 percent recyclable FFP2 mask, the Austrian Grabher Group is taking an important step towards sustainability. The sustainable FFP2 masks made of polypropylene are not only fully recyclable, but also cause significantly fewer CO2 emissions during their manufacture than conventional protective masks.
Recycled PET bottles are turned into adhesive tapes
26/10/2022
The company tesa® supports the field of sustainability. The new tesa® 60412 packaging tape has a backing made of 70% recycled PET and a water-based acrylate adhesive system. The production process is completely solvent-free. Used PET products are recycled and used as raw material for the backing material.
Researchers develop plastic film that can kill viruses using room lights
26/10/2022
Researchers at Queen's University Belfast have developed a plastic film that uses room light to kill viruses that land on its surface. The technology used to manufacture the film also ensures that it is degradable. This self-sterilizing film is inexpensive to produce, easy to scale and could be used for disposable aprons, tablecloths and curtains in hospitals.
Lessons from natural photosynthesis: conversion of CO2 to raw materials for plastic
21/10/2022
A research team at Osaka Metropolitan University has succeeded in producing fumarate from pyruvate and CO2 through artificial photosynthesis. Fumarate can be used to produce biodegradable plastic such as polybutylene succinate. In this process, the carbon is stored in a compact, durable and solid form.
Shining light on why plastics turn yellow
21/10/2022
A research team has investigated whether intended nanostructures formed by UV light could be the cause of yellowing of polyethylene. The result was that chiral chemical structures form on the surfaces of polyethylene films during exposure to UV light and are a possible cause of the yellow color of old plastics. These findings could help researchers develop plastic products that last longer.
Researchers find a new method for recycling polystyrene
11/10/2022
A research team led by Guoliang "Greg" Liu implemented the goal of making the current main method for recycling polystyrene profitable. By exposing the material to ultraviolet light and adding a chemical catalyst this method creates diphenylmethane (DPM), which has a high economic value. This new recycling method would create an incentive for polystyrene to be collected and recycled.
Collaboration between Borealis, Neste and MAM brings new soother to market made with renewably-sourced feedstock
11/10/2022
The MAM company is accelerating circular economy measures in partnership with Borealis through the launch of MAM Original Pure pacifiers and packaging enabled by Borealis Bornewables™ portfolio of recyclable polyolefins. Upstream value chain partner Neste is the supplier of renewable feedstock Neste RE™ based on waste and residue streams for the manufacture of Bornewables polypropylene.
Innovative technology makes flexible packaging recyclable
03/10/2022
A new technology from Covestro weakens the bond strength of PU adhesives. Laminated films in multilayer packaging can be separated after use and the individual materials can be recycled later. At the K 2022 trade fair, the team will be presenting the technology to the plastics industry for the first time.
A new self-healing coating material
19/09/2022
A transparent protective coating material that can heal itself within 30 minutes when exposed to sunlight has been developed by a research team from the Korea Research Institute of Chemical Technology (KRICT).
Engineering enzymes to help solve the planet's plastic problem
12/09/2022
Researchers at the Manchester Institute of Biotechnology (MIB) have developed a new enzyme engineering platform. The focus is on plastic-degrading enzymes that can be improved through directed evolution. To test their platform, they engineered a new enzyme, HotPETase, through the directed evolution of IsPETase.
Borealis introduces a portfolio of circular base chemicals
15/08/2022
The Borvida™ portfolio introduces sustainable base chemicals to Borealis' range of product offering. The range will initially be based on non-food waste biomass, and chemically-recycled waste. In the future it will also draw from atmospheric carbon capture. The traceability of the content will be based on Mass Balance, which is ISCC PLUS certified.
TRINSEO introduces sustainable ALTUGLAS™ R-Life Acrylics
15/08/2022
The Trinseo company has launched a new series entitled: ALTUGLAS™ R-Life Acrylics. This comprises chemically and mechanically recycled, reused and bio-based polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA) for cast and extruded sheets, resins and compounds.
Durable material for flexible artificial muscles
08/08/2022
Materials scientists at UCLA and colleagues at the nonprofit research institute SRI International have developed an artificial muscle. These are equipped with PHDE actuators. UCLA research uses a "dry" process in which the films are layered with a blade and then cured with UV light so that the layers become uniform.
LyondellBasell helps to close the loop on Polypropylene by joining NEXTLOOPP initiative
08/08/2022
LyondellBasell (NYSE: LYB) is participating in the NEXTLOOPP initiative, which aims to produce circular recycled food-grade polypropylene (FGrPP) from used packaging. NEXTLOOPP is able to close the loop of polypropylene (PP) by means of a combination of cutting-edge technologies. Polypropylene is separated from the rest and the polymer is decontaminated.
BASF and THOR GmbH fight fire together
03/08/2022
To improve plastic compounds and meet stringent fire safety requirements, BASF and THOR GmbH are using their joint expertise in flame retardants. The focus is on developing alternatives to halogen-containing additives.
Sustainable cellulose start-up Naturbeads is poised to scale up
03/08/2022
Naturbeads, a company that aims to replace plastic microbeads with sustainable alternatives, will expand its work. It has been helped by a recent £1.3 million (€1.5 million) funding round. Naturbeads has developed cellulose-based products that can be used in cosmetics, paints, coatings, additives for the oil and gas industry, packaging and composites.
Fly me to the moon: how plastics contribute to radiation protection in space
26/07/2022
When it comes to the use of plastics in space, you probably first think of spacesuits or lightweight components. But there is another application: radiation protection. Space radiation is a risk to humans that should not be underestimated. The MARE experiment aims to determine this risk in order to develop protective measures for future space flights.
A unique catalyst paves the way for plastic upcycling
25/07/2022
After developing the first process inorganic catalyst to break down polyolefin plastics into molecules, a team led by Ames Laboratory scientists has now developed a strategy to accelerate the conversion without losing the desired products.The result is that larger platinum particles reacted more slowly with the long polymer chain, while the smaller ones reacted faster.
Photosynthesis-inspired process makes commodity chemicals
18/07/2022
A Northwestern University research team used a new method to convert acetylene to ethylene, a widely used, highly valuable chemical that is an important component of plastics. They use a process similar to photosynthesis that is much less expensive and less energy intensive.
Superworms capable of munching through plastic waste
18/07/2022
University of Queensland scientists further research the common "superworm" Zophobas morio, which can eat through Styrofoam thanks to a bacterial enzyme in its gut.
New PET-like plastic made directly from waste biomass
11/07/2022
Scientists from EPFL's School of Basic Sciences have successfully developed a biomass-derived plastic. Similar to PET, it meets the criteria for replacing several current plastics while being more environmentally friendly.
Reusing odor-contaminated plastics
01/07/2022
In the Fraunhofer Cluster of Excellence Circular Plastics Economy (CCPE), the four Fraunhofer institutes are researching odor barrier skins for polymer compounds made from recycled materials. With special additives, odor barrier skins with a skin thickness of 0.25 mm can be effectively realized. The odor-contaminated plastic can be "packaged".
SK chemicals realizes good takeout with Dodori Cup made from Ecozen
21/06/2022
SK chemicals is planning a Realization of zero waste with Ecozen reusable cups that are used and returned. 5,000 so called Dodori cups used in this project are made from Ecozen.
Solvay extends its sustainable polymer offering for smart devices and wearables
21/06/2022
Solvay launched the Kalix® 10000 series, a partially bio-based material made with renewable feedstock from non-food competing sources, is produced with 100% renewable electricity.
Sabic launches new upcycled resin made with ocean bound plastic waste
14/06/2022
The company SABIC introduced LNP™ ELCRIN™ WF0061BiQ resin, a novel material that uses ocean-bound polyethylene terephthalate (PET) bottles as a feed stream for chemical upcycling into polybutylene terephthalate (PBT) resin. The company has added many different and innovative grades to the LNP ELCRIN iQ portfolio, including glass- and mineral-reinforced products and flame-retardant formulations.
Durostone CR permits higher loads and more compact transformer designs
06/06/2022
Röchling Industrial has developed a new glass fiber-reinforced plastic Durostone® CR. "CR" stands for Compact & Resilient. Compared to conventional fiber-reinforced composites, Durostone® CR has a high dielectric strength and a high partial discharge insertion stress.
New cutting-edge thermoplastic materials for the aerospace sector
23/05/2022
In the HITCOMP project (High Temperature Characterization and Modelling of Thermoplastic Composites), thermoplastic materials were investigated in the aerospace sector. The researchers concluded that thermoplastic-based components are more efficient than thermosetting plastic composites in terms of their thermal properties.
New method to convert plastic trash into clean hydrogen fuel
23/05/2022
To convert plastic waste into hydrogen, researchers at the Technological University, Singapore (NTU Singapore) have developed a new method. The new method is based on pyrolysis, a high-temperature chemical process. The project is also investigating the potential of other new technologies for decentralized waste management.
Treated plastic waste good at grabbing carbon dioxide
16/05/2022
Researchers at Rice University have developed a technique to turn plastic waste into an effective carbon dioxide (CO2) sorbent for industry.
Braskem and Sojitz Corporation join hands to bring renewable MEG technology to the market
09/05/2022
The two companies Brüskem and Sojitz cooperate within a partnership to produce and market the bioMEG (monoethylene glycol) and bioMPG (monopropylene glycol). This joint venture aims to promote sustainable development and combine the expertise of both companies.
A stretchy display for shapable electronics
25/04/2022
Zhenan Bao, a chemical engineer at Stanford University, and her research team have provided proof of principle for a stretchable, potentially reshapeable display using a method to fabricate an elastic light-emitting polymer with high luminosity.
New enzyme discovery is another leap towards beating plastic waste
25/04/2022
Scientists have characterized an enzyme that has the ability to degrade terephthalate (TPA), one of the chemical building blocks of the plastic polyethylene terephthalate (PET), which is used to make disposable beverage bottles, for example.
A previously unknown bacterial enzyme makes new type of biodegradable polymer
12/04/2022
Researchers have identified a bacterial enzyme that can produce a new type of polysaccharide similar to the biopolymer chitin. The new molecule could be useful for drug delivery, tissue engineering and other biomedical applications. It is also biodegradable.
Edible, biodegradable, anti-microbial plastic boasts higher tensile strength than petroleum-based plastic
12/04/2022
A research team at São Paulo State University (UNESP) made their bioplastic from type B bovine gelatin. Besides nanoclay the material is produced from clay and a nanoemulsion of black pepper essential oil.
With KREYENBORG's new technology, odor-contaminated post-consumer plastics get "second life"
11/04/2022
In order to remove odorous substances migrated in plastic waste and to obtain high-quality plastic recyclates, KREYENBORG has developed the new IR-FRESH® technology. In several steps the process can be used for regrind as well as for granulates.
New plant-derived composite is tough as bone and hard as aluminum
04/04/2022
MIT researchers has engineered a composite made mostly from cellulose nanocrystals mixed with a bit of synthetic polymer. The material could pave the way for sustainable plastics.
Mobile plastics recycling project wins WDO's World Design Impact Prize
30/03/2022
The Montreal-based World Design Organization has named a mobile, solar-powered, plastic-waste upcycling platform as the winner of its World Design Impact Prize™ for 2021.
WorldStar Award 2022 for school milk packaging made from 100% rPET
24/03/2022
A project for circular economy by Austria's school milk producers and the three Upper Austrian companies PET-MAN, Greiner Packaging, and Starlinger viscotec has received the WorldStar Award from the World Packaging Organization. Schools are supplied with dairy products in rPET cups that are recycled after use.
ERDE Recycling: recovery and recycling systems for agricultural plastics
18/03/2022
ERDE is a recovery and recycling system focused on the return of silage sheets and covers and agricultural stretch films in Europe. The company has big goals, such as a recycling rate of 65 percent in 2022, but also faces challenges, such as the cross-border transport of agricultural plastics.
Massel innovates with liquid stock range in SIG-Carton Packs with SIGNATUR FULL BARRIER packaging material
09/03/2022
SIG's SIGNATURE FULL BARRIER packaging material is made from renewable, forest-based materials and responsible sources. The small amount of polymers used is certified. The Australian company Massel is now launching products in these SIG-Carton Packs.
Fish in packaging made from chemically recycled plastic
07/03/2022
Salmon fillets from Bömlo are supplied in the world's first EPS fish box. Ccycled is made from chemically recycled plastic and BASF, Vartdal Plast and Bremnes Seashore, the partners for this joint project, are contributing to making the circular economy a success.
Creating sustainable material from waste
01/03/2022
University of Delaware researchers demonstrated that it is possible to efficiently turn industrially processed lignin into high-performance plastics, such as bio-based 3D-printing resins, and valuable chemicals. The research team replaced methanol, a traditional solvent used in lignin deconstruction, with glycerin so the process could be done at normal atmospheric pressure.
Chemists develop radical way to make it easier, more profitable to recycle plastic
01/03/2022
By modifying carbon-hydrogen bonds, chemists from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill transform plastic trash into tougher, stronger material. They started with plastic foam packaging used to protect electronics during shipping that otherwise ends up in landfills.
Plastic snowfall in the Alps
21/02/2022
To study how much plastic is trickling down on us from the atmosphere, Empa researcher Dominik Brunner, together with colleagues from Utrecht University and the Austrian Central Institute for Meteorology and Geophysics, have developed a chemical method that determines the contamination of the samples with a mass spectrometer.
Breakthrough in separating plastic waste
21/02/2022
With a new technology it is possible to analyse and categorise the type of plastic by using a hyperspectral camera in the infrared area and machine learning. The technology makes it possible to separate plastics based on a purer chemical composition than is possible today, and this opens up for completely new opportunities to recycle plastics.
Researchers seek to re-use waste plastics to make valuable petrochemicals
14/02/2022
With a new method West Virginia University engineers upcycle single-use plastic packaging into petrochemicals. The produced ethylene and BTX aromatics from plastic upcycling can be used as feedstocks to re-make plastics.
Neste and Ravago plan to set up a joint venture to focus on chemical recycling of waste plastic
14/02/2022
Neste and Ravago intend to establish a joint venture to build an industrial chemical recycling facility in the North Sea port of Vlissingen, the Netherlands. From there, global chemical recycling activities will be managed, building on the further development of thermochemical liquefaction technology by U.S.-based Alterra Energy, an innovative chemical recycling technology company.
Recycled packaging foils with the "Blue Angel" label
07/02/2022
Profine GmbH is the first profile system provider to use polyethylene (PE) packaging foils that consist of 80 percent PCR standard and are interested in making supply chains more environmentally friendly.
Dishwasher components made from recycled plastic
01/02/2022
Self-healing 3D printed plastic can repair itself by using only light
20/01/2022
Research by UNSW academics shows that special treatment of liquid resin used in 3D printing can cause the material to mend itself if it becomes damaged.
Recyclability by Design – Electronics integrated in plastic becomes more sustainable
20/01/2022
The aim of the project ReIn-E project is to develop designs and sustainable materials to enable the recycling of the components.
Turning plastic grocery bags into sustainable fuel
17/01/2022
More than 300 million tons of plastic waste are produced annually, which causes serious environmental issues. Consequently, most plastic waste ends up in either a landfill or the ocean. A significant number of plastics break down into microplastics, which are ingested by fish and other marine life causing havoc to marine ecosystems.
New market data on the bioplastics market 2021
14/01/2022
The Institute for Bioplastics and Biocomposites presents the new edition of its brochure with the title "Biopolmers - Facts and statistics" to show how the bioplastics market is developing.
Polymer discovery gives 3D-printed sand super strength
10/01/2022
Researchers at the Department of Energy's Oak Ridge National Laboratory designed a novel polymer to bind and strengthen silica sand for binder jet additive manufacturing, a 3D-printing method used by industries for prototyping and part production.
Microfliers: Polymers on a mission for the environment
10/12/2021
They are the size of a grain of sand and resemble trundling maple seeds: the flying microchips that researchers at Northwestern University have now developed. In the future, they should make it possible to monitor air pollution or airborne diseases. Polymers play a fundamental role in this. John Rogers tells us more in an interview with K-MAG.
Commercially viable production of climate-neutral plastic is possible
01/12/2021
Since the early 1950s, plastics have found their way into almost every area of modern life. Between 1964 and 2014, plastic consumption increased twentyfold, from 15 to 311 million tonnes per year. Not only has environmental pollution from plastic waste increased during this time, but the amount of petroleum its manufacture consumes is large, as are the associated greenhouse gas emissions.
Elastic polymer that is both stiff and tough, resolves long-standing quandary
22/11/2021
Polymer science has made possible rubber tires, Teflon and Kevlar, plastic water bottles, nylon jackets among many other ubiquitous features of daily life.
Effective deconstruction of polyurethane by catalyst based on earth-abundant metal
08/11/2021
Polyurethane (PU) is one of the most versatile thermoset synthetic polymers which through careful choice of monomer and formulation, can be seen in a myriad of different forms ranging from rigid-, flexible and molded foams to adhesives and elastomers just to name a few.
A new approach for recycling plastics
08/11/2021
Two EPFL engineers have come up with a revolutionary new method for tackling plastic pollution by harnessing the inner workings of proteins. The result? A whole new way of looking at plastic recycling.
3D nano-inks push industry boundaries
02/11/2021
Mechanical engineering researchers at Michigan Technological University have created a way to make a 3D-printable nanocomposite polymeric ink that uses carbon nanotubes (CNTs) — known for their high tensile strength and lightness. This revolutionary ink could replace epoxies — and understanding why its properties are so fantastic is a first step toward its mass use.
NYU chemist receives Department of Energy grant for plastic "upcycling" research
02/11/2021
The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) has awarded Tianning Diao, associate professor of chemistry at New York University, with funding for research on "upcycling" poly(acrylic acid), a plastic component commonly used in household products. Diao and her lab will work to develop chemical methods to repurpose the polymer as new functional materials.
Water meets cellulose: Environmentally friendly plastic made from hydroplastic polymers
27/10/2021
Researchers at the University of Göttingen have developed a new method to create environmentally friendly bioplastics from renewable raw materials.
Maritime rope could be adding billions of microplastics to the ocean every year
25/10/2021
The hauling of rope on maritime vessels could result in billions of microplastic fragments entering the ocean every year, according to new research. The study, by the University of Plymouth's International Marine Litter Research Unit, is the first to explore the potential for rope to become a source of microplastic pollution in the marine environment.
NSF EPSCoR grant will advance manufacturing of renewable and recyclable plastics
18/10/2021
Plastics are an indispensable part of today's society. These nimble polymers help keep foods fresh, cars safe, arteries clog-free and have countless other uses. But the benefits come at a cost. Each year millions of tons of discarded plastic pollute ecosystems, harm animals and exacerbate climate change.
Research guides future of plastic waste chemical recycling
18/10/2021
New research from Cornell University aims to ease the process of chemical recycling – an emerging industry that could turn waste products back into natural resources by physically breaking plastic down into the smaller molecules it was originally produced from.
$25 million investment in polymer upcycling research to reduce plastics waste
12/10/2021
The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) announced $25 million in funding for 10 research projects to build the scientific foundations for new technology solutions that reuse discarded plastics to make valuable products and reduce plastics waste.
Electrosynthesis: preventing cathodic corrosion
12/10/2021
Sustainability is an important issue in business and industry these days. Many companies recognize the need to find the best possible climate-neutral solutions for manufacturing their products and reduce their output of pollutants. This means they are looking for manufacturing options that do not require the use of fossil raw materials.
Degradation of biobased plastics in the soil
06/10/2021
The idea of biodegradable plastics sounds good at first. However, very little is known about how they are degraded in the soil and how this is influenced by climate change. In two recent studies, soil ecologists have shown which microbial community is responsible for degradation, what role the climate plays in this process, and why biodegradable plastics could still be problematic.
Sunlight can break down marine plastic into tens of thousands of chemical compounds
05/10/2021
Sunlight was once thought to only fragment plastics in the marine environment into smaller particles that chemically resemble the original material and persist forever. However, scientists more recently have learned that sunlight also chemically transforms plastic into a suite of polymer-, dissolved-, and gas-phased products.
Michael Davies
28/09/2021
Technical and Marketing Manager, Dover Chemical Corporation
New tool to predict polymer properties
15/09/2021
An interdisciplinary team of researchers has developed a powerful mathematical modelling tool that will allow researchers to predict the properties of polymer networks before they are even created.
Clean room production of breast implants
14/09/2021
The Fraunhofer IPT has teamed up with BelloSeno GmbH to study biocompatible implants that are made using 3D printing. Kai Janning from the Fraunhofer IPT describes the conditions a medical device production facility must meet and reveals the latest successes of the researchers.
Breakthrough discovery: Plastics aren’t what we think
03/09/2021
A breakthrough by researchers at the University of South Florida (USF) and collaborating institutions around the world could pave the way for better products, such as improved batteries, automobile paint and cellphone screens.
New method developed to solve plastics sustainability problem
03/09/2021
Plastics sustainability has come a long way in recent years thanks in large part to scientific advances. But even as plastics become more and more environmentally friendly, the world continues to be polluted as many industries rely on them for their widely used products.
Polymer enables tougher recyclable thermoplastics
23/08/2021
To synthesize plastic, small monomer molecules need to be strung together like beads in a necklace, creating long polymer chains. However, not all plastics – or their polymers – are created equal. The longer and stronger the polymer, the more durable the material. Cornell researchers took a middling monomer and, by using a special catalyst, they created a tougher polymer that can form long chains.
Visualizing stress in plastics
23/08/2021
A research team led by Prof. Dr. Michael Sommer and PD Dr. Michael Walter has succeeded in constructing a new dye molecule from the area of so-called mechanophores.
Stand-up paddle board made from renewable lightweight materials
16/08/2021
Researchers at the Fraunhofer Institute for Wood Research, Wilhelm-Klauditz-Institut, WKI, want to replace plastic boards with sustainable sports equipment: They are developing a stand-up paddle board that is made from one hundred percent renewable raw materials. The ecological lightweight material can be used in many ways, such as in the construction of buildings, cars and ships.
Eco-friendly plastic from cellulose and water
16/08/2021
Plastics offer many benefits to society and are widely used in our daily life. However, the production, processing and disposal of plastics are simply not sustainable, and pose a major global threat to the environment and human health. Eco-friendly processing of reusable and recyclable plastics derived from plant-based raw materials would be an ideal solution.
Carbon dioxide as a raw material for plastics and other products
03/08/2021
Carbon dioxide is one of the main drivers of climate change – which means that we need to reduce Carbon dioxide emissions in the future. Fraunhofer researchers are highlighting a possible way to lower these emissions: They use the greenhouse gas as a raw material, for instance to produce plastics.
Can biodegradable polymers live up to the hype?
03/08/2021
As consumers and corporations alike become more environmentally conscious, the chemical industry is working to find solutions to the plastic waste crisis. One idea is to use biodegradable polymers known as polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHA) as replacements for traditional plastic packaging and other materials.
Printed polymers with active ingredient
20/07/2021
3D printing can be used to produce versatile, individual shapes. This type of extrusion process is therefore not only popular in the plastics industry – it is also suitable for medical technology applications. Only the right polymers have to be found first.