July 2021

Phys.org

A new high-performance plastic foam developed from whey proteins can withstand extreme heat better than many common thermoplastics made from petroleum. A research team in Sweden reports that the material, which may be used for example in catalysts for cars, fuel filters or packaging foam, actually improves its mechanical performance after days of exposure to high temperatures.

Plastics Technology

A new HDPE resin that boasts unparalleled levels of moisture barrier performance for multilayer flexible packaging has been introduced by Nova Chemicals. The next-generation Surpass HPs267-AB is also touted for its stiffness and heat resistance which reportedly enable the acceleration of the plastics circular economy by allowing packaging engineers to design more recyclable PE film structures.

Plastics Technology

During its live e-symposium, injection molding machine and automation supplier Engel (Schwertberg, Austria) introduced a new two-stage process that can accept ground post-consumer scrap as a feedstock and convert it into new molded parts, including thick-walled components, without interim pelletization of the scrap material. Eliminating that step not only saves time and money, it lowers the heat history for the reclaimed resin.

Plastics Technology

No matter what type of process is the mainstay of your plastics manufacturing operation, every floor manager knows that waste materials generated can be significant. Ideally, those materials are reclaimed back into the process. By grinding the plastic materials down to a size that’s similar to the virgin material, you drastically decrease waste and use less of that new material in the process.

Tire Technology International

The India Rubber Board’s research farm in Saturi, near Guwahati, India, has planted the world’s first genetically modified (GM) rubber plant, tailored specifically for the climate found in the region.

Plastics Technology

L’Oréal, Nestlé Waters, PepsiCo and Suntory Beverage & Food Europe announced the successful production of the world’s first food-grade PET plastic bottles produced entirely from enzymatically recycled plastic.
Each Consortium company has successfully manufactured sample bottles – based on French biotech company Carbios’ enzymatic PET recycling technology – for some of their products including: Biotherm, Perrier, Pepsi Max and Orangina.

Plastics Technology

PP foams are making inroads in automotive and packaging to boost lightweighting and sustainability. Foaming of polypropylene has been gaining significant traction over the last several years, starting with extruded PP foam and joined increasingly by injection and blow molded foam. Leading markets are automotive and packaging, followed by building and construction, consumer products and industrial goods.

Tire Technology International

The Audi Environmental Foundation and the Technical University of Berlin have announced that they are developing filters to deal with urban runoff. The filters will be used to prevent harmful substances, including tire wear particles, from entering bodies of water such as sewers and even rainwater. The collaborative project was first launched in September 2020 and will run for three and a half years.

Traction News

Goodyear Tire announced that it has completed its acquisition of Cooper Tire, finalizing the merger agreement made public on February 22. The combination unites two leading tire companies with complementary product portfolios, services and capabilities to create a stronger U.S.-based leader in the global tire industry. The combined company will offer more options across the value spectrum making it easier for customers and consumers to choose Goodyear- and Cooper-branded tires.

BusinessWire

Orion Engineered Carbons S.A., a leading global supplier of specialty and high-performance carbon black, announced it will raise pricing for its specialty carbon black products. The price increase is necessary due to continuous higher demand for its specialty products, as well as sharply rising global raw material and supply chain costs.

Tire Technology International

“Orion Engineered Carbons, a global supplier of specialty and high-performance carbon black, has announced the launch of a new product, Ecorax Nature. The latest products from the carbon black company have been specially developed for rubber applications by utilizing industrial-grade, plant-based oils. Produced using a sustainable and renewable, non-fossil-derived feedstock, Ecorax Nature 100 is said to be the first highly reinforcing carbon black grade product made using renewable feedstocks.”

Plastics Technology

Just three months ago we reported that Sweden’s Polykemi Group AB is investing nearly $12 million to build its own compounding plant in Gastonia, NC. Now the company has announced opening another production unit in China. Production start-up for both will commence in 2022, so that the company will now have a footprint on three continents.

The Jakarta Post

Unicharm said its local subsidiary, PT. Uni-Charm Indonesia, launched the products packaged in fully recycled pulp earlier this month via online stores and at selected hypermarkets and supermarkets in the country in limited volumes.

Asphalt & Rubber

Indonesia, the world’s fourth most-populous country, is set to mandate that new motorcycle sales be electric-only by 2040. The post Indonesia Aims for New Motorcycle Sales To Be Electric-Only by 2040 appeared first on Asphalt & Rubber.

Channel NewsAsia

Malaysia’s Industrial Court has ruled in favor of dozens of migrant workers in a labor dispute against American tire manufacturer Goodyear Tire & Rubber Co, court documents showed on Thursday, amid accusations of unpaid wages and employee mistreatment at the firm’s Malaysian …

Bloomberg

Malaysia’s rubber glove makers appealed to the government to allow factories in Selangor state to still operate amid tighter movement curbs that took effect on Saturday to prevent a disruption in global supplies of the protective gear.

NST Online

The average selling prices (ASP) for gloves are likely to tilt lower as the urgency for gloves subsiding, despite the anticipation of higher prices than pre-pandemic level, according to MIDF Research.

BusinessWorld

A Coca-Cola Philippines initiative plans to collect 500 metric tons (MT) of plastic waste in Muntinlupa City over a one-year period. The company partnered with the Philippine Business for Social Progress (PBSP) and social enterprise Plastic Flamingo to collect plastic from traditional collection points, junk shops, and communities in Muntinlupa. PBSP will provide resources like tri-bikes and personal protective equipment for the collectors.

Manila Bulletin

The Department of Science and Technology is expected to conduct a life cycle assessment of single-use plastics and their alternatives in the country. Assorted wastes were recovered during a river clean-up and brand audit at the Panigan-Tamugan Watershed in Baguio District, Davao City last September 26.

BusinessWorld

A senator has filed a bill that will regulate and phase out the production of single-use plastic and styrofoam goods, citing the plastic pollution problem to which the Philippines is considered among the biggest contributors. Senator Emmanuel “Manny” D. Pacquiao filed Senate Bill No. 2262, which aims to control the production, importation, sale distribution and use of single-use plastic and styrofoam products. He noted that the Philippines produces 2.

Today Online

A short-term project launched last year to recycle used sports shoes into material for building sports facilities such as jogging tracks, playgrounds and fitness corners is being made permanent.

PlasticsToday.com

The Apple supplier is teaming up with Thai oil firm PTT to develop an EV platform designed to provide instant scale to the EV industry in Thailand.

Channel NewsAsia

Thailand has offered incentives to attract investment in the growing semiconductor, digital and packaging industries to meet rising global demand amid coronavirus outbreaks, the country’s investment agency said on Wednesday. Front-end capital and technology-intensive manufacturing …