Industry Trends

November 2024

See what has been happening in Asia’s plastics & rubber industries over the last weeks. What are experts and industry magazines talking about?

What has been happening?

Using AI for tire inspection, Packaging suppliers convene to talk PCR and recyclability, Material suppliers find alternative markets amid softening auto demand, and more. Find out what plastic & rubber journals and industry experts have been discussing in the last four weeks.

Latest Plastics & Rubber Articles

Nexen Tire uses AI for tire inspection
Tire Technology International

Nexen Tire has announced the development and implementation of an AI-based automated tire inspection system. Nexen‘s system, which it states is an industry first, has been developed in a platform format, enabling easy application to new factories or equipment. The tire maker has been applying AI across the tire development process and now, with this AI implementation, has extended the scope of AI use to manufacturing processes.
Packaging suppliers convene to talk PCR, recyclability
Resource Recycling

The broad theme of sustainability was a central focus at Pack Expo International in Chicago this week, encompassing package recyclability, PCR content and legislation.
Material suppliers find alternative markets amid softening auto demand
Plastics News

Soft automotive demand and lagging sustainability regulations are shifting the plastics industry toward other markets, creating a competitive atmosphere.
Researchers Find Foaming Bioplastics Reduces Environmental Persistence
Plastic Technology

Scientists at the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution (WHOI) tested a new version of cellulose diacetate (CDA), a biopolymer derived from wood pulp, and found it to be the fastest degrading bioplastic material to be tested in seawater.
ExxonMobil develops high-performance, recyclable thermoformed packaging
InterPlas Insights

ExxonMobil has developed a fully recyclable thermoformed packaging solution, which features 95% polyethylene (PE) content. This is suitable for hot fill and aseptic applications, and its design minimises material usage.
How rubber is improving animal welfare
InterPlas Insights

Kraiburg’s rubber mats are designed for animal husbandry, committing to sustainability, environmental protection and animal welfare.
PVC Blisters Fight Back
Plastics Today

Recent news items talk about sustainable packaging materials for pharmaceutical and medical packaging that can replace polyvinyl chloride. After one such report, the PVC folks had their say. And we felt you need to hear it.
SK Chemicals Launches Copolyester with Improved Recyclability
Plastics Today

New polymer trumps traditional copolyester’s chemical resistance with recyclability, improved transparency, and extrusion blowmolding suitability for larger-sized bottles.
Berry launches fully recyclable alternative to coloured PET pill bottles
Medical Plastics News

Packaging solutions provider Berry Global has launched a range of clarified polypropylene (PP) bottles for healthcare applications, which offer sustainability and enhanced product protection compared to traditional coloured PET pill bottles.
TekniPlex Healthcare introduces medical-grade biobased PVC compounds
Medical Plastics News

TekniPlex Healthcare has become the first healthcare solutions company to introduce bio-based compounds for medical plastics applications whose performance and compositional properties are equivalent to conventional polyvinyl chloride (PVC) resins.
Universities struggle to attract students to plastics programs
Plastics News

Enrollment at many college and university plastics programs around the country is falling dramatically, and educators are blaming a one-two punch of COVID-19 and society’s growing distrust of plastics. The problem has gotten to such a point that several schools have formed a consortium to try to figure out ways to reverse what has now become a years-long trend.
ZC Rubber’s Indonesia Factory Rolls Out First All-Steel Radial Tire
Traction New

Zhongce Rubber Group Co., Ltd. (ZC Rubber) is proud to announce that its new Indonesian subsidiary, PT. Matahari Tire Indonesia (MTI), has successfully produced its first all-steel radial tire. This milestone was celebrated with an official ceremony at the MTI factory located in the Kendal Industrial Park, Semarang, Indonesia.
Continental expands production capacity at Thailand plant

Tire Technology International

Continental’s tire plant in Rayong, Thailand, will ramp up its production capacity by an additional three million units per year. The expansion plans are a result of a total investment of over €300m (13 billion Thai baht). The Board of Investment of Thailand is supporting Continental’s project under its Investment Stimulation Measure for Economic Recovery Scheme. This expansion will also lead to the creation of approximately 600 jobs in the upcoming years.

Malaysia can gain from US tariff on China-made rubber gloves

New Straits Times

The increase in tariffs imposed by United States regulators on China-made rubber gloves is expected to give Malaysia a competitive edge, the Dewan Rakyat was told today.

Myanmar rubber exports projected to hit 320,000 tonnes in 2024-25FY

Global New Light of Myanmar

Myanmar aims to meet a rubber export target of 326,000 tonnes in the current financial year 2024-2025 beginning 1 April, […].

To tackle plastic scourge, Philippines makes companies pay

New Straits Times

Long one of the world’s top sources of ocean plastic, the Philippines is hoping new legislation requiring big companies to pay for waste solutions will help clean up its act.

Innovative project launched to tackle aquaculture plastic waste in southern Vietnam

Viet Nam News

A groundbreaking initiative to address the growing environmental challenge of plastic waste from aquaculture was officially launched in Soc Trang Province. On 29 October 2024, key stakeholders gathered for the event titled “Establishing a Sustainable, Efficient, and Scalable System for Collecting and Converting Used Pond Liners in Soc Trang Province”

Related Articles & Trends

Plastics & Rubber Trends – October 2024

Plastics & Rubber Trends – October 2024

The road to net zero: Powering sustainability in tyre manufacturing, Scientists develop novel method for strengthening PVC products, Tyre factory with zero carbon dioxide emissions, and more. Find out what plastic & rubber journals and industry experts have been discussing in the last four weeks.

Plastics & Rubber Trends – September 2024

Plastics & Rubber Trends – September 2024

‘Eco-Friendly’ foaming agent masterbatch, Masterbatch bossts sustainability and recyclability, Chemical recycling studies for end-of-life tires, and more. Find out what plastic & rubber journals and industry experts have been discussing in the last four weeks.

Plastics & Rubber Trends – August 2024

Plastics & Rubber Trends – August 2024

Top tools for injection molding, Additives boast sustainability without sacrificing performance, Why did this ice cream brand pick plastic pints over paperboard, and more. Find out what plastic & rubber journals and industry experts have been discussing in the last four weeks.

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