D. World News

High-quality surfaces in the car interior

THE haptics and visual appearance of components in the car interior are becoming even more important. BASF is presenting innovative materials for premium and appealing surfaces to give the interior a distinctive look. With Ultramid® B3E2G6 SI BK23353 (image left) and Ultramid® B3E2G10 SI BK23353, a new generation of surface-improved structural materials is now available…. Read more »

Milliken’s ColourDirection 2022

IN 2021 care and respect are high on the agenda as we step out with a brighter attitude and deeper optimism for global change. As the world recovers from a fragile time of vulnerability people have an emerging confidence that positive choices can make a difference in our daily lives, with care and respect high… Read more »

Programmable insulation materials

INNOVATIVE insulating materials made of shape memory polymers are beeing developed and tested by the Fraunhofer Institutes for Applied Polymer Research IAP, for Chemical Technology ICT and for Building Physics IBP within the Fraunhofer Cluster of Excellence Programmable Materials CPM. The high-tech foams are to be used as functional materials, for example in the field… Read more »

Demand for Erema PET recycling technologies continues to grow

THE recycling of PET bottles has gained worldwide acceptance over the past 20 years and has become a model for the circular economy in plastics. This development has been driven forward by Erema’s bottle-to-bottle innovations. The Austrian recycling machine manufacturer has set new standards in this respect time and again, particularly with their Vacurema technology,… Read more »

K 2019 Düsseldorf – all you need to know

When and where? K 2019 takes place at the Messe Düsseldorf Fair ground in Düsseldorf, Germany from 16-23 October, daily from 10:00am to 6:30pm. As always, K 2019 exhibitors will be presenting their products and services in all of the venue’s 18 halls with a total area of almost 175 000 m2. Products and services,… Read more »

New PET barrier container with handle for craft beer market

CANADIAN company W Amsler Equipment, a leading supplier of all-electric linear PET stretch blow moulders, has launched a new 64-oz (approx. 2-litres) polyethylene terephthalate (PET) growler jug that mimics the competitive glass design and provides barrier protection for extended shelf life. The PET container is believed to be the first in the industry to include… Read more »

Research shows consumers from Latin America prefer transparent dairy packaging

RESEARCH by global packaging company Amcor reveals consumers from Latin America are increasingly attracted to transparent dairy packaging that connotes freshness and premium quality. In response, dairy companies are increasingly using clear PET bottles that provide durability and let consumers see dairy products before they purchase them. In Brazil, leading dairy brand Letti is the… Read more »

3D printed sunglasses

A Belgium based startup trying to make the world a bit sunnier WR Yuma, a Belgian company launched in September after a successful Kickstarter campaign, is the first company in the world to 3D print sunglasses from recycled plastics, using filament made from car dashboards, fridges and plastic bottles. The frames are not only made… Read more »

World’s first zero waste design shop

What do you get if you take 60 000 plastic bottles and a 3D printer? LONDON recently saw the launch of BOTTLETOP in Regent Street, the world’s first store created using zero waste design. But what does that actually mean? It means robots and high tech 3D printers created the interiors entirely from a filament… Read more »

Legalisation leads top global packaging firms to cannabis

Only interested in the legal cannabis market AS the stigma of marijuana use, both medicinally and recreationally, continues to wane in the United States, more plastics packaging companies are embracing the market. According to PlasticsNews.com, that was clearly evident at Pack Expo in Chicago, where companies openly displayed a willingness to jump into the market…. Read more »

Shampoo brand launches ‘world’s first’ fully recyclable bottle

Partnering with Tesco, Head & Shoulders haircare brand has released a shampoo bottle made using plastic recovered from each shores. As part of its “Clean Hair, Clean Beaches” initiative, up to 25% of its new packaging is made using beach plastic. While plastic retrieved from the ocean is hard to reuse due to degradation issues,… Read more »

DuPont to build new specialty materials manufacturing facility in East China

Compounding & adhesives investment to meet growing demand in transportation, electronics, industrial and consumer products markets DUPONT is investing more than $80-million to build a new manufacturing facility in Zhangjiagang, Jiangsu Province in East China. The new facility will produce compounded high-end engineering plastics and adhesives to serve customers in transportation, electronics, industrial and consumer… Read more »

Covestro supports sustainable urban development

Innovative material solutions for energy-efficient solar houses ONGOING urbanisation brings with it many challenges, especially in megacities because they’re currently developing in countries such as China. Above all, solutions are needed that reduce the energy consumption of buildings and vehicles. The Chinese government is now promoting sustainable urban planning concepts and a wider use of… Read more »

CFRP injection moulded composite replaces aluminium in oil control valve

Metal-to-composite conversion reduces cost, weight, improves engine performance AN Asian automaker has replaced machined aluminum with a unique carbon fibre-reinforced composite in an injection moulded oil control valve within the variable valve timing system that controls engine intake and exhaust. The high-performance thermoplastic valve (2-8 valves per vehicle depending on engine size) reduces cost and… Read more »