polymerguru

Japan's DKS Co. has developed a bio-based material derived from #trehalose that functions as a processing aid for engineering plastics molded at temperatures up to 300°C. The additive enhances optical properties while simultaneously improving plastic performance and reducing environmental impact through bio-based raw materials. #DKS is currently shipping samples for #hightemperature molding applications, including #automotiveinterior materials, #housings , and connectors for #electronicdevices . Trehalose derivative, far right, boasts superior elevated temperature compared to #sucrose derivative, second from right, pure sucrose, far left, and pure trehalose, second from left. Image courtesy of DKS. Trehalose outperforms sucrose in heat resistance Plastics used in automobiles, electronic devices, and industrial components rely on various additives to enhance functionality. While DKS has traditionally focused on sucrose-based derivatives for gloss enhancement, hydrophilization, ...

Disposable baby diapers are one of the clearest examples of the linear economy: they are typically used once and sent to #incineration or landfill with no material recovery, despite containing valuable #polyolefinbasednonwovens and films. Based on consumption data, Cabrera and Garcia (2019) estimated that 6.73 million metric tons of disposable #babydiapers were generated in the EU‑28 in 2017, highlighting the scale of this largely unrecovered waste stream across #Europe . In response, #Woosh , a Belgium-based circular diaper brand, #BorougeInternational , a global leader in polyolefin solutions, and #BlueAlp , a leading chemical #recycling player with a commercially operating plant in Oostende, Belgium, have collaborated to close the loop on diaper plastics. Together, the companies have demonstrated that plastics from used baby diapers can be recovered and chemically recycled into feedstock for new polymers. This marks the first time this #circularloop has been demonstrated at ind...

Agreement ensures supply security and accelerates Syensqo’s innovation #Syensqo , a global leader in advanced performance materials and specialty polymers, has extended a key supply agreement with #SealedAir , a leading provider of flexible #foodpackaging solutions. The renewed agreement ensures supply continuity and accelerates continued innovation for high-performance food packaging, including Syensqo’s Ixan® high-barrier polymer resin. The agreement reflects an ongoing collaboration within Sealed Air’s broader supply network supporting high-performance vacuum #shrinkbags and #barrierfilms for the fresh protein market.  Renewing our supply agreement with Sealed Air underscores the strength of our partnership and our shared commitment to high performance and reliability in food packaging. We look forward to delivering our innovative solutions that continue to meet the evolving needs of global markets and support Sealed Air’s leadership in barrier packaging. Floryan De Campo, Li...

  𝐓𝐨𝐝𝐚𝐲'𝐬 𝐊𝐍𝐎𝐖𝐋𝐄𝐃𝐆𝐄 𝐒𝐡𝐚𝐫𝐞 📢 𝐓𝐢𝐦𝐞 𝐭𝐨 𝐠𝐞𝐭 𝐭𝐞𝐜𝐡𝐧𝐢𝐜𝐚𝐥... 📢  𝐀𝐮𝐭𝐨𝐦𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐝 𝐅𝐢𝐛𝐞𝐫 𝐏𝐥𝐚𝐜𝐞𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭 (𝐀𝐅𝐏): Automated Fiber Placement (AFP) is one of the most advanced manufacturing technologies currently used in the composites industry. The process is based on placing multiple resin-impregnated fiber tows onto a mandrel at high speed using a numerically controlled placement head capable of dispensing, cutting, clamping and restarting each tow independently during manufacturing. What makes AFP especially powerful is its ability to adapt fiber orientation and material distribution to highly complex geometries with extreme precision. Different tows can move at different speeds, allowing the machine to conform naturally to curved surfaces while maintaining structural continuity and minimizing defects. Each tow is typically around 3 mm wide, and may contain thousands of individual carbon filaments preimpregnated with epoxy resin. Once...

Scientists have achieved a breakthrough in plastic sustainability by developing a simple chemical process that transforms widely used plastics into rapidly degrading materials, offering new hope in the fight against global plastic pollution. Researchers at the University of Edinburgh and RPTU University Kaiserslautern-Landau in Germany have pioneered a method to convert conventional plastics — such as those used in food packaging and 3D printing — into polythionoesters, a type of biodegradable plastic with distinct properties that break down more quickly than existing alternatives. The innovation addresses a critical environmental challenge: approximately 99% of plastics currently in circulation are not biodegradable. While eco-friendly alternatives exist, they often degrade slowly or require high temperatures and harsh chemicals to break down effectively. A simple yet powerful transformation The new process works by altering the chemical structure of existing plastics through a straig...

The solution targets lightweight, sustainable packaging production while addressing tethered cap mandates and regulatory pressures. #Canadianpackaging machinery maker #HuskyTechnologies is releasing the new #HyCAP4 .0 solution, which the company says has been designed specifically to maximize the performance of the #injectionmolding process for #beverageclosures . The system is intended to address the needs of both high-output molding and maintaining tight tolerances while reducing downtime and operating costs, officials with Bolton, Ont.-based Husky said. HyCAP 4.0 tooling reflects current market trends, including the transition to lighter closures and the growing importance of tethered caps. Such solutions can reduce material consumption and support environmental objectives, but they also increase requirements for accurate detail replication and process control. Husky states that, thanks to optimized tooling geometry and operation within tight tolerances, it’s possible to produce ...

The European Chemicals Agency’s ( #ECHA ) fourth report on the operation of #REACH and the Classification, Labelling and Packaging ( #CLP ) Regulation shows that these laws continue to play an important role in managing chemical safety in the EU. Helsinki, 1 June 2026 – The Report, based on data from 2021 to 2025, confirms that the implementation of REACH and CLP continues to progress towards its objectives, protecting health and the environment in Europe, while supporting innovation and competitiveness. While the earlier reports focused on REACH registration deadlines, the current reporting period shows a shift towards the systematic examination of substances already in the database. This includes screening and prioritisation of substances, generating targeted data and applying structured risk management measures. As a result, substances requiring #regulatory action can be identified and addressed more quickly, contributing to further reductions in emissions and lower exposure for c...