September 2021

Plastics Technology

In 2018, I wrote an in-depth feature about the ocean-bound plastics supply chain, which covered the potential for the market as well as the difficulties to scale. However, since then, the usage of ocean-bound plastics continues to grow. HP incorporates ocean-bound plastics into Original HP ink cartridges. Atando Cabos is a company focused on ending the contamination of discarded fishing and marine farming gear from the coasts of Patagonia.

PlasticsToday.com

Engineers, contractors, and municipal officials tell survey they will specify PVC pipe for nearly 65% of new and replacement pipe projects. PVC piping is a preferred material for water infrastructure, based on a recent nationwide survey of engineers, contractors, and municipal employees involved in water projects.

Plastics Technology

Engineering thermoplastics supplier Polyplastics has developed a test method that identifies gas formation during injection molding and ultimately may help reduce mold deposits. Dubbed Gas Investigation Method in Injection Molding (GIMIM), the concept entails the addition of gas traps at each stage of molding: plastication, metering, and injection.

Plastics Technology

Matrix Tool figured the best way for it to showcase its advanced moldmaking capabilities and the unique abilities of its Sodick Plustech injection molding machines was to create a showcase part and mold. That part is just one of the entrants in the inaugural Hot Shots injection molded part competition, which will take place during the Molding 2021 Conference later this month in Chicago.

In the latest instalment of our series collaborating with the Women in Plastics initiative, we share a conversation with Venetia Spencer, Secretary General of the Polyolefin Circular Economy Platform.

PlasticsToday.com

Every little bit counts for the plastics industry in minimizing the use of fossil resources, and this now extends to low-volume masterbatches. Germany’s Rowa Masterbatch has debuted a new carbon black masterbatch in which the black stuff is obtained through pyrolysis, a thermal process in which used tires are heated to between 250 and 750°C in the absence of oxygen and subsequently broken down into smaller molecules. The product also employs a sustainable polyamide 6 carrier.

Plastics Technology

Unilever’s Magnum ice cream tubs made from chemically recycled PP from SABIC are being rolled out commercially on a global basis. The spotlight is shining brightly on chemical recycling. Over the last couple of years there were dribs and drabs of news about pilot projects and consortiums being set up, but of late the focus has shifted to new targets for technology scale-up as well as real-world examples of new products rapidly being commercialized.

Plastics Technology

Consistent pellet color and size, low odor and minimal contamination are all indicators of high-quality PCR. Eliminating plastic waste in the environment is critical to the health of our planet and the health of our industry. Circularity is being advanced with downgauging and lightweighting, and processors are working with brand owners to redesign packaging for recyclability and to incorporate post-consumer resin (PCR) and other recycled content.

Plastics Technology

A series of graphene thermoplastic masterbatches has been developed and launched by Colloids Ltd, the UK’s largest masterbatch supplier and part of Israel’s Tosaf Group. Over the past years, Colloids has been collaborating with the UK’s National Graphene Institute in Manchester, The new Graphanced series of graphene masterbatches include base resins such as polyolefins, PS, SAN, nylons 6 and 66, PET, PBT, PC, EMA, TPEs and TPUs.

PlasticsToday.com

Avient announced today that it has added reclaimed polyvinyl butyral (PVB) from car windshields and laminated architectural glass to its portfolio of reSound R thermoplastics elastomers (TPEs). The result of a collaboration with Denmark-based Shark Solutions, a global leader in advanced sustainable PVB, Avient’s reSound R TPEs will contain 25% of post-consumer recycled PVB.

Plastics Technology

A thermoplastic styrene-butadiene copolymer (SBC) known for its unique blend of sparkling clarity, impact toughness, stiffness and exceptional gloss from Ineos Styrolution has been selected by Samsung for use in its refrigerator LED lamp housings.

Plastics Technology

NatureWorks’ global Ingeo PLA manufacturing expansion plan continues with the recent announcement that the company’s parent companies, GC International Corp., sub. of Thailand’s PTT Global Chemical Public Company (GC) and Cargill Inc. have authorized an investment in excess of $600 million to build a new fully-integrated PLA manufacturing complex in Thailand. NatureWorks will begin construction of the complex in second quarter 2022.

Tire Technology International

Based on preliminary figures from its member countries, the Association of Natural Rubber Producing Countries (ANRPC) says its estimate for natural rubber (NR) production in 2021 has been reduced to 13,782,000 metric tons, following a fall in estimated production in Malaysia. The organization notes that signs of recovery observed in major economies, associated with the release of Covid restrictions, have contributed to a year-on-year growth in rubber demand.

With an abundance of plastic waste but a scarcity of personal protective equipment (PPE), Thailand is turning trash into treasure by upcycling bottles into protective clothing for people at risk of coronavirus infection.

Bangkok Post

Thailand’s manufacturing production index (MPI) in July rose 5.12% from a year earlier, lifted by higher production of autos, electronics and rubber, the Industry Ministry said on Monday, missing analyst forecasts.

Today Online

A week ago, the Plastics Recycling Association of Singapore launched a study looking at whether Singapore should have its first recycling facility dedicated to only plastic bottles in an effort to boost plastic recycling rates here. Right now, the recycling rate for plastics is at 4 per cent — the lowest here among other waste streams such as metal and paper.

Manila Bulletin

The advocacy group partners with Mondelez Philippines to spread the importance of plastic segregation and finding alternatives. Plastic may have found its way in everything we use, one thing is for sure, it doesn’t suit the ocean. Every year, countries produce million tons of plastic, 8 million of it end up in Earth’s waters, making 80 percent of marine debris, according to the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN).

Global New Light Of Myanmar

“Myanmar’s rubber export generated more than US$344.9 million revenue in the past eight months (Oct-May) of the current financial year 2020-2021, the Ministry of Commerce’s data showed. The price of domestic natural rubber depends on model of supply and demand when the harvest season ends. “

NST Online

Malaysia’s rubber industry has maintained its strong performance, with exports surging to RM44.43 billion in the first half of 2021 from RM17.77 billion in the same period in 2020. Industry officials expect the country’s rubber exports to reach a new high for the full year, but an economist simmers down any high expectations of a similarly solid performance in the second half of the year.