polymerguru

Japan's recycled compounds market is projected to reach 489,000 tonnes by 2030, up from 441,000 tonnes in 2024, according to a new report from market research firm Fuji Keizai. The Tokyo-based market watcher surveyed what it describes as the "noteworthy compound market, including recycled compounds expected to see significant growth due to environmental initiatives and automotive and electrical/electronic applications that will drive future expansion of functional compound use. The findings were compiled in 2026 Compound Market Outlook and Global Manufacturer Strategies, Volume 2, a report published in Japanese. Automotive recycled compounds demand is anticipated to reach 61,000 tonnes in 2030, representing a 2.2-fold increase over 2024 levels. The survey captured the current state of markets for recycled compounds and #biodegradable resin compounds, which are attracting attention from an environmental perspective, as well as markets for automotive and electrical/electronic a...

Sun Chemical will present its latest innovations in pigment dispersions for rubber applications at IRGCE 2026, from September 8–10, 2026 in Malaysia. At booth 437, Hall 4. The company will highlight its aqueous #pigmentdispersions and effect products designed for dipped latex-based products such as balloons and gloves. The portfolio features the Flexiverse range of aqueous pigment dispersions, which deliver high color strength, excellent stability and compatibility in #latex systems. Flexiverse FD provides FDA compliance for dipped latex gloves and other latex products, in sensitive applications. Sun Chemical will also showcase high-performance black dispersions, providing deep jetness and outstanding dispersion quality, which are critical for achieving consistent coloration for dipped latex goods. The company’s core competencies help manufacturers meet stringent regulatory expectations while enhancing product performance, production efficiency and consistent product quality. Vis...

Dow, global leader in materials science, together with Adient, a global manufacturing leader in automotive seating, commercially launched SPECFLEX™ REN, a next-generation polyurethane seating solution now available with ISCC PLUS certified bio-attributed* feedstocks enabled via a mass balance approach. “This collaboration underscores Dow’s commitment to advancing sustainable mobility through materials science innovation. By launching SPECFLEX™ REN, we are enabling our partners to integrate renewable feedstocks into the polyurethane seating value chain through an ISCC PLUS certified mass balance approach without compromising performance, supporting their decarbonization goals,” said Selamawit Belli, MobilityScience™ marketing manager. Polyurethane foams have historically been designed for long-term durability. Through this collaboration, #Dow and #Adient are working together to enable seating solutions while utilizing bio-circular attributed feedstocks, which have a lower carbon footp...

A multidisciplinary team of researchers from Texas A&M University, Virginia Tech and the California Institute of Technology has developed a new approach to transform one of the world’s most challenging plastic waste streams into high-performance lubricants with exceptional energy-saving potential, creating a pathway toward more efficient industrial technologies. The research demonstrates a method for converting polyvinyl chloride (PVC), a widely used plastic with a recycling rate of less than 1%, into polyalphaolefin lubricants that exhibit exceptional friction and wear performance. The discovery could help address growing plastic waste challenges while advancing lubrication technologies for industries around the world. Dr. Ali Erdemir, University Distinguished Professor and Halliburton Chair in the J. Mike Walker ’66 Department of Mechanical Engineering, led the tribology research efforts behind the study “Upcycling of polyvinyl chloride into polyalphaolefin lubricants.” The work ...

𝐓𝐨𝐝𝐚𝐲'𝐬 𝐊𝐍𝐎𝐖𝐋𝐄𝐃𝐆𝐄 𝐒𝐡𝐚𝐫𝐞 𝐔𝐕 𝐀𝐛𝐬𝐨𝐫𝐛𝐞𝐫𝐬: 𝐇𝐨𝐰 𝐂𝐚𝐧 𝐖𝐞 𝐕𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐟𝐲 𝐓𝐡𝐞𝐢𝐫 𝐄𝐟𝐟𝐞𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐯𝐞𝐧𝐞𝐬𝐬? UV absorbers are important additives used to protect polymers from degradation caused by ultraviolet radiation. Their effectiveness can be evaluated in different ways, for example: Accelerated weathering test Using equipment such as a Weather-Ometer, which simulates sunlight, heat, humidity, and rain exposure. UV-Vis spectrophotometry Measuring the transmittance of the material across different wavelength ranges, from the UV region to the visible light region. For a material containing an effective UV absorber, the expected result is a strong reduction in transmittance in the UV region (A,B or C), typically between 200 and 400 nm. Ideally, UV transmittance should be close to zero, or at least significantly reduced compared to a sample without UV protection. In the case of flexible transparent films, transmittance is expected to increase after...

𝐒𝐮𝐧𝐝𝐚𝐲'𝐬 𝐊𝐍𝐎𝐖𝐋𝐄𝐃𝐆𝐄 𝐒𝐡𝐚𝐫𝐞 𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐏𝐀𝐏𝐄𝐑 𝐋𝐀𝐁𝐄𝐋 𝐎𝐍 𝐀 𝐏𝐋𝐀𝐒𝐓𝐈𝐂 𝐅𝐎𝐎𝐃 𝐏𝐀𝐂𝐊𝐀𝐆𝐄 𝐂𝐎𝐍𝐓𝐑𝐈𝐁𝐔𝐓𝐄𝐒 𝐓𝐎 𝐂𝐇𝐄𝐌𝐈𝐂𝐀𝐋𝐒 𝐋𝐀𝐓𝐄𝐑 𝐁𝐋𝐀𝐌𝐄𝐃 𝐎𝐍 𝐏𝐋𝐀𝐒𝐓𝐈𝐂 𝐈𝐓𝐒𝐄𝐋𝐅 When trace bisphenols or phthalates or PFAS are detected in food packaging, many assume they were deliberately added to the base polymer. But PE, PP and PET do not contain these chemicals as part of their polymer chemistry. Investigators should examine the entire converted package not just the resin. Potential downstream sources include: 🏷️ Thermal labels: Bisphenol or alternative color developers, dyes and binders 🩹 Adhesives: Tackifiers, stabilizers and residual formulation components 🎨 Inks and coatings: Pigments, solvents, binders and photo initiators Some thermal-label chemicals can migrate through thin packaging films under certain conditions. In recycling, poorly designed labels, inks and adhesives can also remain with the material or contaminate rec...