polymerguru

Scientists from Nanyang Technological University, Singapore (NTU Singapore) have developed a new class of light-activated compounds that could lead to safer and more versatile applications in 3D printing, cosmetics, and medicine. These compounds, known as aryl diazirine photoinitiators, are used to solidify liquid resins into hard plastics with speed and precision using light. The current industry-standard photoinitiators often face issues of toxicity and poor solubility in water. The NTU study, published in NPG Asia Materials this month, demonstrates that the new aryl diazirine photoinitiators are not only non-toxic to human cells but also offer superior performance, including reduced material shrinkage and compatibility with water-based sustainable resins. 𝐀 𝐬𝐚𝐟𝐞𝐫, 𝐠𝐫𝐞𝐞𝐧𝐞𝐫 𝐚𝐥𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐧𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐯𝐞 #Photoinitiators are a key ingredient in everything from the adhesives that seal electronics to the biocompatible hydrogels used in tissue engineering. When exposed to light, th...

European #Polyamide6 (PA 6) producers continue to face significant challenges through growing pressure from low-priced imports. Low-priced imports are a natural part of open markets when pricing reflects fair, rules-based conditions. When it does not, imports can distort competition and undermine a level playing field. Fair market conditions are therefore critical to preserving a strong European industrial base, safeguarding local production, jobs and innovation, and strengthening the long-term competitiveness and resilience of Europe’s chemical industry. The European Commission has launched an investigation into imports of Polyamide 6 (PA6) polymer from China. #Envalior welcomes the #investigation and supports the European Commission’s efforts to ensure fair competition and a level playing field for #Europeanindustry . While the investigation is ongoing, our focus remains unchanged: providing customers with reliable supply, technical expertise, and the level of service they expect ...

BASF and #TongjiUniversity , a top-tier research university located in Shanghai, China, and Shanghai Yida Resource Recycling Technology Co., Ltd., a specialized organization in the #circulareconomy sector, have launched a used-pillow recycling initiative to show how #polyurethanefoam from used pillows can be collected and evaluated for potential #recycling routes and new applications. The project also provides younger generations with practical exposure to material recovery processes and circular economy principles. The initiative combines BASF's expertise in materials and recycling with Tongji University's strengths in education and research. Through the collection and recycling of used pillows made of Polyurethane foam, the project shows how materials that would otherwise be discarded, can be reprocessed and given a second life.Polyurethane materials are widely used in applications including #furniture , #seating , #bedding and #syntheticleather . Establishing circular mo...

The Automotive Division of the Society of Plastics Engineers (SPE) has named the winners of its 55th annual Automotive Innovation Awards Program, the oldest and largest recognition event in the #automotive and plastics industries, established in 1970. The announcement was made the evening of November 4, 2026, during the SPE Automotive Innovation Awards ceremony. The Body Exterior Category winner — a thermoplastic truck bed previously profiled by PlasticsToday — also took home this year's Grand Award. The Grand Award winner is selected from the winners of each of the eight part categories by a panel of Blue Ribbon Judges made up of industry experts. The Sustainability category winner, an application using carbon-captured #polyacetal (POM) in fuel pump module subcomponents, was detailed in a previous article, as was the Electric and Autonomous Vehicle Systems category winner, a cosmetic and structural #glassmatthermoplastic (GMT) frunk. Here, the Body Exterior and Materials catego...

Shaanxi Nonferrous Carbon-Ceramic Composite Materials R&D Co., Ltd., a unit of Shaanxi Nonferrous Metals Holding Group Co., Ltd., has signed a cooperation agreement with Zhongfu Shenying Carbon Fiber Co., Ltd. (SSE: 688295), covering joint R&D, application development, and market expansion. Wu Qunying, Party Secretary and Chairman of #ShaanxiNonferrousMetals Holding Group; Wang Gang, Chairman of Shaanxi Nonferrous Carbon-Ceramic Composite; Zhang Jian, Party Secretary and Chairman of Zhongfu Shenying; and Li Wei, Vice General Manager of Zhongfu Shenying, attended the signing ceremony. Shaanxi Nonferrous Metals Holding Group is a large provincial state-owned enterprise. Its subsidiary, Shaanxi Nonferrous Carbon-Ceramic Composite, specializes in #carbonceramicbrakediscs for passenger vehicles, civil aviation, unmanned aerial vehicles, and high-speed rail. Wu Qunying described Zhongfu Shenying as a leading enterprise along the industrial chain, adding that the two parties would j...

On November 3, Covestro inaugurated a new production line for polyester resins at its Meppen site. The opening comes in response to rising demand for high-performance polyester resins across Europe. Coatings formulators are reformulating to meet ever-tighter regulatory requirements, while packaging and industrial markets demand consistent quality, reliable availability, and simpler supply chains. The multi-year investment project adds an extra reactor line, bringing additional capacity in the double-digit kiloton range. The new line is built on Meppen's established, GMP-compliant manufacturing infrastructure to support the requirements of food-contact related applications. The new reactor is designed to run a broad range of chemistries, giving Covestro the flexibility to produce high-molecular-weight and standard polyester grades, hashtag # alkyds , and hashtag # acrylicresins . These product lines serve can, coil, industrial coating, and adhesive applications, and are sold under...