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.
Luminescent solar collectors: Silicone makes power generation more flexible and colourful
22.05.2023
Plastics contribute to climate protection. As fibre-reinforced plastics for wind turbines or films for solar cells, they already play an important role in power generation from renewable energies. But the conventional solutions are not equally suitable for every area of application. This is where a new type of material comes into play that was developed at Saarland University.
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.
"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.
Covestro: New ultra-durable material solution for healthcare and life sciences
01.03.2023
Both healthcare and life sciences applications – ranging from drug delivery devices, wellness and wearable devices, to single-use containers for biopharmaceutical manufacturing – all have one thing in common. They must be tough and durable and able to withstand everyday use while maintaining their structural integrity.
Automated simulation software creates a world map of polymer properties
14.02.2023
"Materials informatics (MI), a new branch of materials research that combines materials data with data science, is gaining traction," said co-corresponding author Yoshihiro Hayashi, assistant professor, Institute of Statistical Mathematics in the Research Organization of Information and Science (ROIS).
Bio-based flame retardants for bioplastics in electrical engineering and electronics
06.02.2023
Fraunhofer researchers, in collab with industrial partners, have achieved initial success in the development of bio-based flame retardants in bioplastics. In the future, it could therefore be possible to utilize plastics in electronics and electrical engineering that consist of 100% bio-based materials. Processing was tested by means of compounding, injection molding and additive manufacturing.
Turning plastic waste into a valuable soil additive
02.02.2023
University of California, Riverside, scientists have moved a step closer to finding a use for the hundreds of millions of tons of plastic waste produced every year that often winds up clogging streams and rivers and polluting our oceans.
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.
BASF and StePac partner to develop sustainable packaging for shelf-life extension of fresh produce
23.01.2023
BASF SE and StePac Ltd. have joined forces to create the next generation of sustainable packaging specifically for the fresh produce sector. Supplying StePac with its Ultramid® CcycledTM, a chemically recycled polyamide 6, BASF will provide its partner greater flexibility to advance contact-sensitive packaging formats to a higher sustainable standard within the circular economy.
Silicone sponge captures unknown bacteria
23.01.2023
Microorganisms populate nearly any habitat, no matter how hostile it is. Their great variety of survival strategies is of huge potential in biotechnology. Most of these organisms, however, are unknown, because they cannot be cultivated. To make better use of this "microbial dark matter", the KIT) has now developed a "sponge" made of porous, formable silicone.
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.
Turning plastic trash into pharmaceuticals
16.01.2023
A novel method developed by USC pharmacy and chemistry researchers has exciting implications for plastic waste collecting on Catalina Island and L.A.-area beaches.
A loyal companion: LVR Museum shows development of plastics over time
10.01.2023
Plastics are part of our lives - yesterday, today and tomorrow. The LVR Museum in Oberhausen, Germany, has dedicated an entire exhibition to plastics: "Class and Mass" comprises over 20,000 objects from the collection of the German Plastics Museum, which have been on permanent loan in Oberhausen since 2017 - it is the largest collection on the subject of plastics in Germany.
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.
Manufacturing solid surfaces with RIM – Arfinio makes it possible
07.12.2022
Something is only impossible as long as you don't try. Covestro has developed the new Arfinio manufacturing technology, the first application to allow reaction injection molding of aliphatic polyurethanes. Joan Miquel Garcia Martinez explains in an interview why this was previously considered unthinkable and why it now works after all.
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.
Wonderfully versatile: Plastics shape the car of the future
17.11.2022
The versatility of plastic is one of its strongest characteristics, and it makes it particularly popular amongst designers. Plastic is also a favored material for BASF's design team: in collaboration with Citroën, the chemical company rethought the classic car - with plastic as the central building block that made the implementation of the innovative concept possible in the first place.
Building and construction sector: An industry relies on plastics
08.11.2022
Polymers are as diverse as their chemical composition. Plastics come in hard, soft, flexible, brittle, opaque, transparent - just as required. They impress with their durability, cost-effectiveness, impermeability to water, high formability, corrosion resistance and low weight. This makes them the ideal building material - and an environmentally friendly alternative to other materials.
Truck component carrier made from LANXESS polyamide receives GKV/TecPart Innovation Award
04.11.2022
A truck component carrier made from a LANXESS polyamide 6 compound has won the 2022 GKV/TecPart Innovation Award presented by Verband Technische Kunststoffprodukte e.V. The structural component was developed jointly by BBP Kunststoffwerk Marbach Baier, LANXESS and a major German commercial vehicle manufacturer.
"We are looking at how to redesign products and how to re-use parts of them"
21.10.2022
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.
"Designers love solving problems."
14.10.2022
Sue Neuhauser and Page Beermann of Faraday Future talk about the opportunities for CMF in the automotive industry.
"CMF has an opportunity to really understand all those different consumers"
21.09.2022
Falza Khanani talks about the different possibilites of Color, Material and Finish design.
Gorgeous plastics – circular aesthetics
14.09.2022
Few materials can compete with plastics when it comes to functional versatility, but the same can also be said for creating aesthetic expressions with plastics. At a time when they are often associated with generally negative press most consumer brands want to shy away from it is a material family. It needs to readdress the balance and play to more durable, higher-value stories.
A flexible device that harvests thermal energy to power wearable electronics
08.09.2022
Researchers at the University of Washington have developed the first flexible, wearable thermoelectric device capable of converting body heat into electricity. The researchers demonstrated that they can print these devices on stretchable textiles and curved surfaces. This will allow the devices to be applied to clothing and other objects in the future.
Smart textiles sense how their users are moving
22.08.2022
Researchers from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology develop a comfortable, form-fitting fabric that recognizes its wearer's activities, like walking, running, and jumping. Through the process of thermoforming, the researchers were able to significantly improve the precision of pressure sensors woven into multilayer knitted textiles, which they call 3DKnITS.
BASF's IrgaCycle™ stabilizes recycled plastics used to protect pineapples from sunburn in Malaysia
20.08.2022
The two companies BASF and 3T Industries Sdn Bhd are helping pineapple plantations in Malaysia to increase yields and conserve resources. 3T Industries has used BASF's IrgaCycle™ UV033 DD to improve the production of 100% recycled high-density polyethylene (HDPE) sheets to protect pineapples from solar radiation.
Cloeren GmbH invests in solar energy
19.08.2022
Cloeren GmbH has completed installation of a solar power plant at its Micheldorf, Austria facility to move towards carbon neutral manufacturing. The solar plant investment added 200 KW of solar produced energy, allowing us to reduce C02 emissions 90 tonnes per year.
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.
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.
A guide to sustainable plastics
27.07.2022
As a designer, plastics and sustainability can be difficult to navigate. There are so many parameters to consider – from the origin and environmental footprint of raw materials to the durability and quality of specific materials and maximising the chances of recovery and recycling at the end of life of plastics products.
Functional plastics – designing for circularity
27.07.2022
Few, if any, materials can compete with plastics in terms of adaptability and versatility – many different material properties can be derived from the same basic chemistry, meaning that complex product assemblies can be made with a single type of plastic.
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.
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.
Fresh impulses for wind energy
11.07.2022
Covestro is researching material solutions for sustainable energy generation at its new Wind Technology Center. They are focusing on the optimization and new development of PUR resins in collaboration with customers.
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.
Intelligent software for 3D printing optimises properties of plastic components
06.06.2022
Researchers at the Technical University of Kaiserslautern have developed intelligent software that can adjust parameters such as temperature and printing speed during printing.
BASF and BMW Group rely on renewable raw materials for automotive coatings
06.06.2022
The BMW Group is the first automotive manufacturer to use OEM coatings from BASF that are certified according to the biomass balance process. By using new sustainable product variants, around 40% CO2 can be avoided for clear coat and dip coating.
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.
Silicones: All-rounders for healthcare, electronics and climate protection
27.05.2022
Baby pacifiers, plug seals, medical tubing – we encounter silicones in a wide variety of life situations. Why? They are flexible, water-repellent, heat- and chemical-resistant and even have electrical properties. In short, they are true all-rounders! WACKER, the German chemical group and K exhibitor from the very beginning, is considered a European pioneer in silicones.
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.
Made up out of thin air
19.05.2022
Innovations always emerge from something existing, something tried and tested. Approaching them in terms of their content requires a look at the fundamentals. This is also true for the question of how carbon dioxide (CO2) from exhaust gases can be used for the production of plastics.
Brave new world – how design makes the plastics industry more sustainable
29.04.2022
When the first plastic was developed 150 years ago, it was a miracle for people at the time. Around 1950, the material contributed significantly to the economic miracle of the post-war period. Today, in view of the climate crisis, little is left of this image. In its exhibition "Plastic. Remaking Our World", the Vitra Design Museum wants to show how plastic can contribute to solving problems.
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 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.
Safely above the clouds – plastics in aviation
13.04.2022
Around 10,000 m altitude, speeds of almost 1,000 km/h, outside temperatures as low as -60°C. One of the reasons why we as airline passengers don't notice any of this is because of plastics. These are not only mechanically and chemically resistant, but also lightweight. And lighter aircraft cause fewer CO2 emissions, which is of great importance for achieving climate targets.
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.
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.
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.
SWISS equips entire Boeing long-haul fleet with AeroSHARK
11.04.2022
Twelve Boeing 777-300ERs will gradually be fitted by SWISS with the riblet films developed by Lufthansa Technik and BASF. The reduced frictional resistance makes the sub-fleet more economical and lower in emissions, thus reducing the environmental footprint.
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.
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.
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.
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.
That smells nice: GRAFE adds fragrance to plastics
23.02.2022
It’s instantly recognizable, even with your eyes closed: that unmistakable “new car smell”. Granted, it’s not necessarily a scent everyone loves, prompting many to reach for alternative air fresheners. But what if you could avoid unpleasant odors right at the factory source - and not just when it comes to cars, but other products as well?
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.
AlgX: from green algae to green plastic
18.01.2022
With AlgX, the French industrial project Eranova has developed a product that responds to two global problems: Plastic pollution and algae pollution. It is a technology patented in 30 countries that allows the production of bio-based, recyclable, biodegradable and compostable plastics from green algae in the spirit of upcycling.
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.
Made to degrade
03.01.2022
There's a lot of plastic in the ocean. Much of it comes from the single-use items that we're all familiar with, such as food wrappers and microbeads that inadvertently wind up in the sea. But a growing amount is coming from plastics that are actually made to be used in marine environments, such as instrumentation used for an emerging ocean "Internet of Things."
Plant from plastics?
03.01.2022
Plastics have taken the world by storm over the last century, finding applications in virtually every aspect of our lives. However, the rise of these synthetic polymers, which form the basis of plastics, has contributed to many serious environmental issues. The worst of these is the excessive use of petrochemical compounds and the disposal of non-biodegradable materials without recycling.
Reducing plastic pollution by adding RNA-inspired 'breaking points'
20.12.2021
Once plastic products are used and discarded, they can linger in oceans and harming sea life. One potential solution, a biodegradable polymer called polylactide (PLA), has so far not fully lived up to its promise, showing little sign of breakdown once in seawater. In a new study, researchers set out to address this issue by incorporating RNA-inspired breaking points to the polymer.
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.
Special concrete additive made in Costa Rica
29.11.2021
The Center for Regenerative Design and Collaboration (CRDC) in Costa Rica aims to turn plastic waste into a valuable resource for the construction industry.
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.
Scientists develop films with tunable elongation and fracture for various uses
08.11.2021
Elastomers, or elastic polymers, materials with high elasticity, are widely used for applications in industries, such as automotive, manufacturing, and oil and gas.
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.
Fraunhofer IGB
Greenhouse gases headed for sustainability: How CO2 is turning into plastic
22.10.2021
Carbon dioxide is driving climate change. To combat it, emissions must be reduced. Fraunhofer researchers have developed an approach to use the climate gas as a raw material for plastics.
The road to the future? New ways with used plastics
30.09.2021
Viewing used plastic not as waste but as a material can reduce the problem of littered oceans. One promising approach is its use in road construction.
Microplastics from recyclable plastics on the rise
15.09.2021
Recyclable plastic has been recorded on popular beaches and urban watercourses in Adelaide, South Australia – highlighting the need for more efforts to remove and reuse all plastics from waste streams, particularly in urban areas.
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.
Material development: getting there faster with co-pilot AI
24.08.2021
General conditions for chemical and materials companies are changing rapidly. But the thorough research, development and commercialization of new materials can be lengthy. AI can accelerate this process.
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.
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.
Bio-based coating for wood better than traditional synthetic options
09.08.2021
Due to the global efforts to meet sustainability standards, many countries are currently looking to replace concrete with wood in buildings. France, for example, will require that all new public buildings will be made from at least 50 percent wood or other sustainable materials starting in 2022.
3D printing of multilayered materials for smart helmets
09.08.2021
A mechanical and aerospace engineering professor at The University of Texas at Arlington is developing advanced helmets to ensure that members of the military are as protected as possible from blasts and other types of attacks.
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.
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.
Röchling BioBoom: bioplastics make cars greener
27.07.2021
Alongside many other industries, the automotive sector is also moving in the green direction. Electromobility is booming. However, plastics produced from non-renewable raw materials such as petroleum are also installed in e-cars. Röchling Automotive has recognized the need for bioplastics that meet the high requirements for automotive applications – and has developed BioBoom.
'Plugging in' to produce environmentally friendly bioplastics
26.07.2021
Bioplastics – biodegradable plastics made from biological substances rather than petroleum – can be created in a more economical and environmentally friendly way from the byproducts of corn stubble, grasses and mesquite agricultural production, according to a new study by a Texas A&M AgriLife Research scientist.
Soft robots: smart elastomers are making the robots of the future more touchy-feely
19.07.2021
Imagine flexible surgical instruments that can twist and turn in all directions like miniature octopus arms, or how about large and powerful robot tentacles that can work closely and safely with human workers on production lines.
Vegan spider silk provides sustainable alternative to single-use plastics
05.07.2021
Researchers have created a plant-based, sustainable, scalable material that could replace single-use plastics in many consumer products.
Woodly Ltd. has raised EUR 3 million in growth funding
15.06.2021
Woodly Ltd., Finnish developer of wood based plastic, has raised EUR 3 million in growth funding for the commercialisation and internationalisation of their product innovation.
New technology converts waste plastics to jet fuel in an hour
01.06.2021
Catalytic process to efficiently convert polyethylene to jet fuel and high-value lubricants
Grass replaces plastic in take-away food packaging
01.06.2021
Soon, packaging for take-away foods might be completely based on local, sustainable materials instead of fossil-based products. In a new research project, a packaging solution based on upcycled grass fibres is being developed.
Cleaning up the polluted edge of the world: Lindner and Comberplast recycle fishing nets
31.05.2021
Presented at K 2019 in Düsseldorf and now used to clean up the edge of the world: Lindner Recyclingtech’s Micromat 1500. Circular economy pioneer Comberplast has been using the machine to successfully shred old fishing nets and ropes collected from the coast of Patagonia.
Fire-resistant and bio-based fiber-reinforced composites for structural lightweight design in ships
24.05.2021
As lightweight construction materials, fiber-reinforced polymers have the potential to improve the ecological footprint of ships. If the fibers and plastic matrix are based on renewable raw materials, the ecological footprint can be further reduced. Integrating these materials as structural components is not state of the art and requires new concepts in shipbuilding.
New process makes 'biodegradable' plastics truly compostable
11.05.2021
Most compostable plastics, made primarily of the polyester known as polylactic acid end up in landfills and last as long as forever plastics. University of California scientists have now invented a way to make these compostable plastics break down more easily, with just heat and water, within a few weeks, solving a problem that has flummoxed the plastics industry and environmentalists.
Plastic components with longer service life
10.05.2021
23 percent of global energy consumption can be attributed to friction losses. In the case of plastics, reduced friction can also reduce microplastics in the environment. With the development of microcapsules filled with liquid lubricants for plastics, the Potsdam Fraunhofer Institute for Applied Polymer Research IAP and the Plastics Center SKZ in Würzburg are supporting these goals.
Earth Day 2021: plastics industry vs. climate change
16.04.2021
April 22 is Earth Day. "Restore Our Earth" is the international motto of the action day in 2021. The plastics industry in particular can and must do its part to end environmental pollution and restore the earth to health. Since it was founded over 50 years ago, Earth Day has grown to become a worldwide environmental action day in around 200 countries.
New biodegradable polyurethane foams are developed from wheat straw
01.04.2021
Every year around 734 million tons of wheat straw are produced worldwide, a large amount of waste, which is cheap and has had no well-defined use until now. Recently, research groups at the University of Córdoba have been able to give a new use to this agricultural excess material, by using it as the foundation in order to manufacture polyurethane foams.
Sustainable nylon production made possible by bacteria discovery
24.08.2020
Nylon manufacture could be revolutionised by the discovery that bacteria can make a key chemical involved in the process, without emitting harmful greenhouse gases.
Polymere ink of the future in printed electronics
19.06.2020
A research group led by Simone Fabiano at the Laboratory of Organic Electronics, Linköping University, has created an organic material with superb conductivity that doesn't need to be doped. They have achieved this by mixing two polymers with different properties.
Antiviral and antimicrobial additive developed for face masks
22.05.2020
Wearing a fase mask can significantly reduce the range of viruses that are coughed up. This is the conclusion reached by scientists from the university in Edinburgh, Scotland. Nevertheless, the mask does not protect against infection per se. An Israeli company has now developed an additive wih an antiviral effect that can be applied to the mask.
A look at the shifting trends in additive manufacturing
22.05.2020
Plastics make the mannequins’ world go round!
22.05.2020
Display mannequin manufacturers have not only been creative in terms of design. Resource-saving operations have also ranked very high on their agendas for years. There has been in-depth research in developing materials and processes and plastics continue to play a leading role.
Better drinking water thanks to plastics
20.05.2020
Around 2.2 billion people do not have an access to clean drinking water, although two thirds of the earth is covered with water. However, more than 97 percent of it is inedible salt water. So drinking water is a very rare commodity on earth. However, drinking water can be obtained from salt water. Polymeres could help.
Water replaces toxins: Green production of plastics
21.04.2020
Although organic plastics are not harmful to the environment themselves, toxic substances are often used during their synthesis. TU Wien shows - there is another way.
Looking for new packaging materials
25.03.2020
In a joint research project, the Fraunhofer Institute for Microstructure of Materials and Systems IMWS and the technical film producer POLIFILM Extrusion GmbH, are working to engineer biopolymer-based films for food packaging. In this project, the specialists relied on chitosan coatings to increase the resistance of food to microbiological impacts.
"Harvesting" body heat more efficiently with superrubber
12.02.2020
North Carolina State University engineers have demonstrated a flexible device that harvests the heat energy from the human body to monitor health. The device is more efficient than other flexible harvesters that use body heat as the sole energy source.
Unique polymer fibers: Light, strong, and tough
19.12.2019
Strong and tough yet as light as a feather -- materials with this exceptional combination of properties are urgently needed in many industrial sectors and in medicine, as well as being of great interest for scientific research. A research team from the University of Bayreuth has developed polymer fibers with precisely these properties.