polymerguru

r-pac International Corp. and Solegear  Bioplastics  Inc. completed an agreement to accelerate the production, sales and distribution of Solegear's Polysole® and Traverse® plant-based plastic packaging. Using its award-winning expertise in Green Chemistry, Solegear collaborated with leading Canadian research institutions, including the National Research Council of Canada, to develop novel bio-based and environmentally responsible  bioplastics  for rigid consumer product packaging. As part of this new agreement, r-pac and Solegear will work together on selling and marketing the bio-based packaging, having successfully completed materials evaluation and production testing. r-pac plans to begin offering the new products immediately. "It has been a pleasure developing our relationship with r-pac. Their expertise in packaging design, production, sales and retail support is first-rate. This agreement sets the stage to further broaden Solegear's vision: providing a be...

Foster Corporation, among the leaders in custom polymers for medical devices, introduces LoPro Plus™ radiopaque compounds reinforced with nanoparticles for improved pushability of thin wall catheters. These compounds allow for extrusion of single layer tubes with radiopacity and strength properties equivalent to conventional two layer tubes, in which each layer provides the distinct properties. LoPro Plus reduces material and inventory costs when compared to standard two layer constructions. Radiopaque compounds typically include 30% to 40% barium or bismuth filler to provide fluoroscopic visibility of catheters within blood vessels; however, these fillers are not designed to improve strength properties. Improved pushability and torque for catheters that must reach deep in the body or precise locations often requires coextrusion of additional layers using polymers with high strength properties. This can increase manufacturing costs due to the purchase and inventory management of mul...