Materials
Biopolymers Strive to Meet Price/Performance Challenge
High expectations for biopolymers— an emerging class of materials derived at least in part from biological activity—are being tempered by the realities of the marketplace.
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Extruding Biopolymers: Packaging Reaps Cost Benefit of Going 'Green'
Plastics made from renewable carbon chains, not fossil carbon from oil or gas, are suddenly a solid commercial reality. The draw isn’t just “green” marketing, but the “green” of stable prices not linked to petrochemicals.
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'As Good as New' Chain Extender Restores Reclaimed Resins
A new additive can re-link polymer chains in reclaimed PET, nylon, and polycarbonate to revive degraded properties.
Read MoreGM Electric Car Has Plastic Glazing And New TP Composite Panels
A range of engineering resins and a new lightweight thermoplastic composite from GE Plastics, Pittsfield, Mass., are employed in the body panels and glazing of General Motors’ latest concept vehicle, the new Chevrolet Volt.
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Long-Glass Thermoplastics and Blow Molding Grab SPE Automotive Awards
Long-glass reinforcements and structural blow molding accounted for four of this year’s nine SPE Automotive Innovation Awards, presented last month in Detroit.
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Pricing Update - December 2006
Prices of commodity resins were falling in October and November.
Read MoreWal-Mart's Push for "Green" Packaging
Wal-Mart Stores, Inc., Bentonville, Ark., has begun a program to urge its suppliers to reduce the amounts of packaging and to use more recycled materials in packaging.
Read MoreDegradable Plastics To Grow 20%/Yr
Surging interest in biodegradable and compostable plastics is forecasted by a new report from market research company, Freedonia Group, Inc., Cleveland.
Read MoreWellman Quits PET Recycling
Wellman Inc., Shrewsbury, N.J., announced that it would permanently close its flagship PET recycling and fiber production facility in Johnsonville, S.C., by the end of this month.
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Pricing Update - November 2006
After a brief surge upward, prices of polyolefins and PVC have softened again.
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