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Currently, most  bioplastics  are produced using renewable biomass resources, such as vegetable fats, oils, and sweet potatoes, which readily decompose once they are buried in the ground. However, these materials lack the necessary strength and flexibility required to extend the life of plastics in the packaging and electronic industry. New Discovery in Plastics : To date, there have been limited successes in inventing new solvents to dissolve cellulose for commercialization usage. Also, the increase in toxicity associated with current dissolution techniques has made cellulose less attractive for use in the plastic industry. But, Tuskegee University researchers have discovered a new method that can be used to suspend tiny particles of cellulose in an organic solvent that is commonly used in the plastic industry. This technique could remove the current limitations and allow for the creation of a new kind of biodegradable cellulose-based plastic. This product can be used in the prod

The idea behind the seminal Breathing Skins showroom is to use the outer envelope of buildings to variably adapt the indoor climate to the needs of the occupants. The project centers around a breathing facade skin using  transparent  solid sheets of the  polycarbonate  Makrolon®. This is modeled on a natural, organic skin.  Covestro  recently won the innovation award of the European Polycarbonate Sheet Extruders Organization (EPSE) for this development. It was the eighth time the organization had held the Best Polycarbonate Projects Competition to recognize outstanding applications with polycarbonate sheets.  Controllable Permeability: Tobias Becker’s proprietary development makes it possible to infinitely vary the permeability of facades and thus adapt the indoor climate to the user’s specific requirements. Germany’s Federal Minister for the Environment Barbara Hendricks and Maria Krautzberger, president of the German Federal Environment Agency, have now presented Tobias Becke

RESINEX has recently added STYRON™ 2678 MED, a biocompatible polystyrene from Trinseo, to its portfolio of polymers.  ISO Compliant Biocompatible PS: This general purpose injection molding grade has undergone testing based on ISO 10993 standards and is suitable for use in approved medical applications.  It combines the versatility of polystyrenes with the specifically high reliability of supply needed in this industry, and it meets extended demands in terms formulation lock, notification of change and lot traceability.  Typical applications include clear rigid packaging, diagnostic components, petri dishes and housings for test kits. Special Characteristics: Beyond the general advantages of polystyrene, such as outstanding transparency, high stiffness, rigidity and heat resistance, STYRON™ 2678 MED also provides further special characteristics required for medical devices including chemical resistance to fight infection.  The material can be sterilized by ethylene oxide (EtO) and

Foster Corporation has introduced Nanomed MAX® compounds for medical device components that require high strength, yet cannot use metals or traditional reinforced plastics.  These compounds, based on an alloy of meta-xylene diamine polyamide (MX nylon), are United States Pharmacopeia (USP) Class VI tested and suitable for reusable instruments or components that must withstand gamma, e-beam and ethylene oxide sterilization. Need of Nano Reinforced Nylon Alloys: Minimally invasive procedures are increasingly used throughout the healthcare industry. New procedures require instruments, fixtures and components that do not interfere with magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), computerized axial tomography (CAT), fluoroscopy, and x-ray imaging. Metals are not suitable and plastics often require reinforcing additives, such as glass fiber, to provide sufficient strength for structural components.  However, these traditional additives are too large for molding or extruding intricate device component

What: free online webinar When: December 14th at 16:00 GMT Registration:  http://bit.ly/PolymerWebinarRegistration You are invited to join this informative and interactive webinar on December 14th with Tomas Bata University in Zlín, Czech Republic. You will hear from the staff and students of the university and you can also submit your own questions! Guarantee a promising career by specialising in Polymer Engineering at one of the most prestigious Universities in Czech Republic! Special attention is paid to both the life cycle of products and plastic waste recycling. Students are familiarized with new trends and innovations in the field of "green polymers" and sustainable development. Are you ready to have a promising career by specialising in Polymer Engineering? Start by joining the free webinar taking place December 14th!  Save your spot by registering for the webinar here:  http://bit.ly/PolymerWebinarRegistration

At the 21st Plastic Materials Congress, entitled “Chiedilo alla Plastica” [Turn to Plastics], held on 17 November in Varese, Italy, RadiciGroup Performance Plastics introduced its latest innovation, a new blow-molding-grade polyamide capable of standing up to continuous exposure to hot air at temperatures of up to 230°C.  The material was developed for, and in collaboration with, Röchling Automotive. Such a high level of heat resistance opens up new opportunities in the metal replacement field, where parts are subjected to severe environmental conditions. Polyamide Engineering Thermoplastics The new material belongs to RadiciGroup’s RADILON® range of polyamide engineering thermoplastics, products that have a wide variety of uses in the automotive, electrical/electronics, industrial goods and consumer goods sectors. The RADILON® range includes both traditional formulations and, as in the case of the Röchling Automotive partnership project, specialties with high innovative content, such

  Total  and  Corbion  have joined forces to develop  bioplastics  by creating a 50/50 joint venture to produce and market  polylactic (PLA)  polymers. The two partners plan to build a world-class PLA polymerization plant with a capacity of 75,000 tons per year at Corbion's site in Thailand that already has a lactide (PLA monomer) production unit that will become part of the joint venture. Corbion will supply the lactic acid necessary for the production of the PLA and the lactide. Total/Corbion – Bioplastic JV The new company will be based in the Netherlands and will launch operations in the 1st quarter of 2017, subject to regulatory approvals. Bernard Pinatel, President of Total Refining & Chemicals, commented: “I’m very pleased with this joint venture, which aims to become a major player in the growing bioplastics market. This investment is consistent with our One Total ambition of expanding in biofuels and bioplastics, in addition to our more traditional oil- and gas-base