polymerguru

In a world that is constantly changing due to technological advancements and rapid innovation, it's rare that a product line can remain relatively unchanged yet continue to be relevant, decade after decade. But that's exactly the case with Eastman Chemical Company's Tenite™ cellulosics, a family of compounded cellulosic plastics introduced in 1932. "Although we have developed approximately 200,000 different formulations, colors and patterns over the last 80 years, we're fundamentally using the same process as when we began compounding Tenite™ cellulosic plastics," said Lucian Boldea, Ph.D., vice president and general manager, specialty plastics, Eastman. Working with customers and external partners, Eastman continues to look for new and inventive uses for Tenite cellulosics. "We are currently exploring new ways to use Tenite cellulosics and are beginning work with a new generation of university design students to experiment with the plastics to creat

Altuglas International, a subsidiary of Arkema group, with its Plexiglas® and Altuglas® acrylic resins (Americas and Rest of World, respectively) and NatureWorks, a leader in the  bio-plastics  market with its Ingeo™ biopolymers derived from plants, have signed a global co-marketing agreement. The agreement is designed to deliver a range of newly formulated bio-based, high performance alloys based on polymethylmethacrylate  and Ingeo™. The new materials will be marketed by Altuglas International as Plexiglas®/Altuglas® Rnew biopolymer alloys. Primary co-marketing efforts for these materials will be for durable goods applications, where the Plexiglas®/Altuglas® brand is synonymous with high performance, durability and clarity. The agreement grew out of the overwhelming response the two companies experienced during the US National Plastics Exposition (NPE) last April, during which they jointly displayed examples of molded and thermoformed products made with their collaborative t

The 4-year SPLASH project will develop a new biobased industrial platform using microalgae as a renewable raw material for the sustainable production and recovery of hydrocarbons and (exo)polysaccharides from the species Botryococcus braunii and further conversion to renewable polymers. The project comprises of 20 partners of which 40% SME and several large corporates plus universities and research institutes. Two bioproduction platforms will be explored: (1) green alga Botryococcus braunii on its own and (2) the green microalga Chlamydomonas reinhardtii, to which the unique hydrocarbon and polysaccharides producing genes from Botryococcus will be transferred. SPLASH will deliver knowledge, tools and technologies needed for the establishment of a new industry sector: Industrial Biotechnology with algae and/or algal genes for the manufacture of polyesters and polyolefins. The building blocks for these polymers will be derived from the sugars (polyesters) and hydrocarbons (polyo

The Lubrizol Corporation offers Estane® soft plasticizer-free thermoplastic polyurethanes ( TPUs ) for athletic footwear applications. An alternative to conventional plasticized  TPUs,  Lubrizol's plasticizer-free TPUs provide an option for manufacturers sensitive to today's more stringent environmental requirements. Conventional soft TPUs contain a phthalate-type plasticizer that may be subject to regulation by environmental agencies. In addition, such plasticizers can gradually migrate to the surface of the molded product, creating poor aesthetics and altering the bonding strength. Lubrizol's line of plasticizer-free TPUs exhibit the performance attributes for which the company's engineered polymers are well known, including excellent flexibility, softness, abrasion resistance and moldability. Lubrizol's soft plasticizer-free Estane TPUs are available in both a polyester series (Estane T460AH, Estane T460A, Estane T465A and Estane T470A) and a polyether ser

VTT Technical Research Center of Finland has developed a technique to significantly improve the quality of bio-based plastic packaging. The new generation of bio-based plastic packaging is not only eco-friendly but also has several superior qualities compared to traditional plastic packaging. The plastic packaging industry is moving towards completely bio-based products. The volume of oil used every year in the production of plastics equates to approximately five per cent of the world's total oil consumption. Approximately 40 per cent of all plastics are used in packaging, which puts special pressure on the packaging industry to reduce dependence on oil. The use of renewable natural resources in industrial applications reduces dependence on oil and the carbon footprint attributable to consumption. A transition to bio-based economy nevertheless requires products that are not only ecologically sustainable but also competitive in terms of quality. VTT has developed a technique that

Continuum Recycling, ECO Plastics' groundbreaking joint venture with Coca Cola Enterprises (CCE) has been recognized at the Green Business Awards 2012. Sam Richardson, representing ECO Plastics, and CCE's Patrick McGuirk accepted the Partnership Award at a ceremony at Lords Cricket Ground on Monday 12th November. The award was given in recognition of Continuum's impact on the domestic recycling sector, as well as for the partnership's ongoing engagement with supply chains, customers and employees. An important milestone for both the drinks manufacturing and recycling industries, Continuum reprocesses used plastic bottles in its purpose built facility in Hemswell which are then transformed into new Coca Cola bottles. The joint venture has also provided an economic boost and created skilled jobs in rural Lincolnshire. The award is the latest in a string of prizes and short listings for the Lincolnshire business. These include listings on the Hiscox Tech Track 1

Direvo Industrial Biotechnology GmbH is commercializing its BluCon™ — platform for complete, one-step conversion of non-food feedstocks to carbohydrates used in the production of fuels and chemicals. In the recent years Direvo has undertaken a huge research program identifying a portfolio of proprietary microorganisms, which enable the lowest cost production of valuable chemicals from non-food biomass. The BluCon™ platform is extremely flexible both for the type of feedstock and the resultant high value fuels and chemicals produced. BluCon™ converts various non-food biomass ranging from grasses and straw to agricultural and wood residues and can therefore be applied around the globe. From an end product perspective, BluCon™ delivers transportation fuels like ethanol or chemical building blocks like lactic acid. "After two years of extremely hard work, we are very excited to use our BluCon™ platform in solving global raw material supply and environmental concerns. Our technolo