- + Bumpy Road Ahead for Automotive Sector—By any measure, 2024 was a tumultuous year for the world in general and the auto industry in particular. Turmoil and tech disruption may be among the ...
- + Balancing Sustainability, Efficiency, and Innovation in Plastics Processing—Driven by sustainability, plastics processors increasingly must focus on reducing their environmental impact by managing emissions, using more energy-...
- + Yogurt Rolls Out in Mechanically Recycled Polystyrene—Ineos Styrolution worked with a German dairy processor to commercialize the circular packaging solution.
- + Thermoplastic Body Seal Wins Lightweighting Innovation Award—Cooper Standard’s FlexiCore replaces conventional EPDM and metal carriers to realize a 44% weight saving.
- + Absolute Haitian to Sell, Service Niigata Machinery in US and Canada—Customers will gain access to a broader range of horizontal and vertical presses and enhanced customer support, said the company.
- + Westlake Innovations Acts on Promise of Sustainable Graphene Production—The subsidiary of Westlake Corp. has invested in Universal Matter, which holds a patent on a technology for the industrial-scale upcycling of carbon w...
- + Stratasys Is Printing Next-Generation Racing Parts for NASCAR—NASCAR’s R&D center and the Joe Gibbs Racing team rely on Statasys 3D-printed parts for testing and for real racing parts.
- + Resin Price Report: Uptick in Demand for Commodity Resin—Processors flock to secure holiday-priced deals.
- + TU Chemnitz and Engel Boost Research on Polymer-based Bipolar Plates for Hydrogen Technology—Germany’s technology university has taken delivery of a two-platen injection molding machine from Engel to pursue research on bipolar plates with high...
- + Plaskolite Investment to Create 38 Jobs in Ohio—The $11.9-million investment will bolster production capacity at the company’s Zanesville plant.
- + Talent Talk: Reflections on a Horrible, No-good, Very Bad Year—High interest rates and the labor shortage dragged down the plastics sector in 2024, but there is a light at the end of the tunnel (and no, it's not a...
- + Sonoco Sells Thermoformed Packaging Business to Toppan for $1.8 Billion—Part of its portfolio simplification strategy, the sale will enable more focused capital investments in its remaining industrial paper and consumer pa...
- + California Senator Drafts Bill Requiring Tethered Caps for Plastic Bottles—Following the EU’s lead, the bill would require plastic bottles under three liters to integrate a tethered cap by 2027.
- + How Do Consumers See Sustainable Packaging?—New research looks at how informed they are about recycling, and the purchasing and recycling behaviors that follow.
- + Medical Plastics Under the Microscope at SPE/MPD MiniTec—The impact of plastics on medical device design, and vice versa, and microextrusion and micromolding challenges and opportunities will be addressed at...
- + The Troubleshooter: Top 10 Injection Molding Mistakes, and How to Fix Them for Good—These common errors drag down production efficiency while increasing downtime and scrap.
- + How an Automated Measurement System Changed the Game for One PET Preformer—PET preform and bottle maker Resilux America LLC saved time, cut costs, and improved quality with an all-in-one measuring tool.
- + The Case of the Black Plastic Spatula—Did you throw yours out? That might have been premature.
- + Plastic Packaging Must-Reads of 2024—These ten newsy developments drew the most reader interest this year.
- + All I Want for Christmas Is a Brand-new Plastic—Scratch that Red Ryder BB gun from my list, columnist John Spevacek tells Santa. What he really wants is the best-est plastic in the whole world.
- + How Hard Is It to Make a 3D-Printed 'Ghost Gun?'—Is the UnitedHealthcare CEO murder suspect’s alleged use of a handgun containing 3D-printed parts difficult to do?
- + Nemo Begins Conductive Nanomaterials Production in Europe—NemoBLEND masterbatches are produced at Delta Kunststoffe in Germany for automotive, packaging, and industrial applications.
- + Year in Review: Plastics in Automotive and Mobility Applications—AI-assisted material selection, innovations in energy-efficient carbon-fiber production, and advances in the safety and range of EV batteries are amon...
- + Revolution Washes Over Island Plastics—Revolution Sustainable Solutions absorbs Island Plastics’ PCR portfolio and state-of-the-art mechanical recycling plant, the largest in Michigan.
- + For the Plastics Industry, the Past May Be Prologue—Negotiations on what was supposed to be the final meeting to iron out a global plastics treaty stalled as the year was coming to an end. That and a ra...
- + Resin Price Report: More Markdowns Ahead of Expected Rebound in the New Year—Producers appear intent to reverse the downward pricing cycle come January, backed by large $0.05 to 0.07/lb increases.
- + McClarin and ExxonMobil Join Forces to Disrupt Composites Production—The Tier 1 supplier to mobility OEMs makes a substantial investment in automation infrastructure to accelerate growth of high-speed closed-mold compos...
- + Coca-Cola Faces Backlash After Scaling Back Packaging Plans—The outcry began after the beverage brand adjusted environmental goals that include plastics and packaging.
- + Consumers Voice Their Expectations of Fully Autonomous Vehicles—Safety and trust concerns about fully autonomous cars top the list in a survey conducted by Asahi Kasei; watching movies or playing games on the move ...
- + Placon Expands Thermoforming Capacity—Increased capacity at two plants meets growing demand from customers in the medical, food, and retail markets.
- + Circular Carbon Blacks Slash Emissions—Cabot Corp. is named a top innovator by Europe’s automotive supplier association for its circular black masterbatches, among other recent developments...
- + Researchers Decouple Stiffness and Extensibility in Polymer Engineering—Foldable “bottlebrush” polymer structure eliminates traditional tradeoff between the two properties.
- + Seattle Can’t Recycle Its Glass, but Plastic Is Still the Archvillain—A local glass-recycling business is shutting down because it can’t compete with low-cost imports of wine bottles. The response from the public and med...
- + Ship the Vegetables and Hold the Ice Using Cool New Film—Films engineered with modified atmosphere and moisture control eliminate polystyrene packaging and ice for bulk shipment of broccoli and other vegetab...
- + The US Path to Polypropylene Recycling Success—NextLooPP Americas’ plan mobilizes US organizations to close the loop for food-grade polypropylene using technologies including AI.
- + Sustainable Manufacturing Expo Announces Key Industry Partners—Through educational programs, networking events, and exhibits, industry players will show how investing in sustainability today ensures the economic a...
- + Novolex, Pactiv Evergreen to Form Packaging Powerhouse in $6.7-billion Deal—Novolex's acquisition of Pactiv Evergreen is set to close by mid-2025.
- + Is a Scale Wind Tunnel for Hot Wheels the Coolest Toy?—Test your models’ aerodynamics using the Windsible wind tunnel’s smoke stream.
- + Trump Tariffs Likely to Increase Cost of US Medical Devices—The president-elect’s proposed 60% tariffs could increase costs, disrupt supply chains, and spark retaliatory tariffs from affected countries.
- + AI Helps Identify Polymer Compound That Can Take the Heat in Film Capacitors—Machine-learning models enable the discovery of a record-breaking material for film capacitors, key components in many energy applications.
- + 2024 Holiday Gift Guide for Plastics People
- + Multifunctional Structural Battery Combines Energy Storage and Load-bearing Capacity—Korean research organization KAIST has developed a structural carbon-fiber-composite battery concept that it calls a “foundational technology for next...
- + PA 66/PPA Blends Bridge Performance, Price Gap for Advanced Metal Replacement—Blend exhibits more-constant stiffness and higher strength than PA 66 for structural auto parts that are exposed to moisture.
- + Resin Price Report: Bountiful PE Deals Energize Trading During Thanksgiving Week—Buyers gobbled up special deals while suppliers with pounds of resin to sell were happy to pad their November totals.
- + How the Vinyl Record Revival Is Spinning Into the Future—Vinyl got its groove back over a decade ago. Now, record manufacturers are looking at new materials and production processes to keep the party going.
- + Medical Molder Develops Innovative Neonatal Care Device—The proprietary sampling port delivers accurate readings of a neonate’s exhaled CO2, better enabling clinicians to determine the required level of ven...
- + Aurora Material Solutions Buys Recycler Lastique—One of the largest rigid PVC recyclers in North America, Lastique is Aurora’s seventh deal in seven years.
- + Tropicana Redesign Failure, Take Two—A recent redesign of the 52-ounce Tropicana Pure Premium orange juice carafe isn’t working out the way the brand owner envisioned.
- + EPS Makers Aim for Greater Circularity—More than 70 countries now recycle expanded polystyrene, and one has reported an EPS recycling rate of nearly 90%.
- + AI, Machine Learning Accelerate Materials Research, Compress R&D Timelines—MaterialsZone adds AI-guided product development to its materials discovery platform, while researchers in Japan harness machine learning to optimize ...
- + Cyclyx Invests in Second Circularity Center for Plastics Recycling—Joint venture of Agilyx, ExxonMobil, and LyondellBasell commits $135 million to an advanced recycling project near Fort Worth, TX.
- + The X Factor in Bioplastics: November’s Top 10—Posts on the social media platform include Amazon’s bioplastic bag tests, recording-breaking bio-based patent filings, a 100% bioplastic pouch that’s ...
- + Talent Talk: Who’s Interviewing Whom?—When you’re interviewing candidates for an open position, be mindful that they are also interviewing you to get a sense of the company culture.
- + Da Bears ‘Bear Down’ on Waste with Reusable Cups at Chicago’s Soldier Field—The new pilot program is a team effort led by Keurig Dr Pepper and Bold Reuse, and fosters greater packaging circularity.
- + Canada’s ABC Technologies Buys UK-based TI Fluid Systems—The $1.9-billion deal expands ABC’s global access to automotive OEMs and Tier 1 suppliers.
- + Toray, PTT Explore Technology for Non-edible Biomass-derived Polyamide—Fermentation and hydrogenation processes result in a bio-based polyamide similar to petroleum-derived PA 66, while reducing greenhouse-gas emissions d...
- + Plasticizers Plot an Upward Path—Bio-based plasticizers take on new significance in an era of increased regulation and environmental consciousness.
- + Deadlocked Global Plastics Treaty Talks to Resume Next Year—Negotiations at what was supposed to be the final session reached an impasse on whether to impose limitations on plastics production and ban certain c...
- + Resin Price Report: Downward Pricing Trend Expected to Hit Bottom This Month—The PlasticsExchange anticipates an upswing in January. In the meantime, good deals abound.
- + Collaborative Project Focuses on Smart Lightweight Plastic Structures—The German Research Foundation has funded a new Collaborative Research Center to jointly lay the foundation for the sustainable development of lightwe...
- + Happy Thanksgiving from PlasticsToday—Ever wonder why the holiday is celebrated on the fourth Thursday of the month? There’s a story in that.
- + Preform Inspection Made Portable—Compact machine improves quality, reduces production errors, cuts waste, and lowers manufacturing costs.
- + Nelipak Opens First Flexible-packaging Production Site in North America—The company’s site in North Carolina offers custom roll stock, die cut lids and sheets, pouches, and bags for the medical device, pharma, and other de...
- + Eastman’s Bioplastic Foam Aces Tests—Study reveals that commercialized cellulose-based compostable foam that replaces polystyrene packaging degrades four times faster in a marine environm...
- + Antimony-free Flame Retardant Fills Gap Created by Chinese Export Restrictions—Highland Plastics’ halogen-free, flame-retardant polypropylene will keep automakers supplied with a made-in-the-USA option.
- + Your 2024 Hot Wheels Legends Custom Car Winner—A distinguished panel of judges, including Jay Leno, has named the custom project car that will be turned into a Hot Wheels toy.
- + Red States Disproportionately Reap Benefits of Democrat-led Green Legislation—Nearly 60% of announced clean energy and electric vehicle projects, part of the Biden administration’s Inflation Reduction Act, are in Republican cong...
- + EPA Releases National Strategy to Prevent Plastic Pollution—The strategy offers opportunities for action to protect communities from the impacts of plastic production and waste, and details how government agenc...
- + EVs Are Driving UHMWPE Market Growth—The ultrahigh-molecular-weight polyethylene (UHMWPE) market is projected to experience an 8.8% compound annual growth rate.
- + LCA Backs TerraCycle’s Green Cred—The company’s unconventional recycling models rate better than old-school waste handling per life cycle assessment metrics.
- + Resin Price Report: Spot Prime PE Prices Continue to Slide—Prices have fallen as much as $0.07/lb, and the market is still searching for a bottom.
- + Is ExxonMobil Hedging Against a Lawsuit?—Shortly after California sued the petrochemical giant for deceiving the public on the recyclability of plastic products, ExxonMobil announced a substa...
- + Igus Celebrates 60th Anniversary With Recyclable Bike—Igus is using its 60th anniversary to underscore its commitment to sustainability, taking its igus:bike on a worldwide tour.
- + Global Plastics Treaty Talks Begin Final Session Clouded by Uncertainty—Key divide over whether to curtail plastics production to combat pollution widens as US seems to flip-flop on its position.
- + Syensqo Expands Polysulfone Production in Ohio—The Solvay spinoff is increasing output by 25% to satisfy US demand from the healthcare, water purification, and hydrogen production sectors.
- + ADM Montréal Grows, Reaffirming Québec’s Leading Position in Canadian Manufacturing—Exhibitors at this year's Advanced Design & Manufacturing Montréal trade show increased by more than a third.
- + Unlocking Profitability in Plastic Waste Management: A Review of Economic Models—By aligning environmental responsibility with economic incentives, we can drive meaningful progress without the burden of excessive regulation.
- + What Trump's Dr. Oz Nomination Means for Medtech—Scott Whitaker, president and CEO at AdvaMed, reacted positively to the news that the heart surgeon and former television talk show host will be nomin...
- + Battery Separator Film Boom Fuels Investments in North America—Microporous is building a $1.35-billion manufacturing plant in Virginia.
- + Breaking News in Flexible Plastic Packaging—Cheese brand’s machine cuts film use, first 100% bioplastic pouch is recyclable, Crofter’s squeezable fruit pouches, metallized CPP market, Pouches.co...
- + Sustainable Packaging Strategies Are Missing the Forest for the Trees—Paper is typically touted as a superior alternative to plastic in packaging applications, but that is an oversimplification of its impact on a complex...
- + New Industrial 3D Printer Reportedly Achieves 50% Productivity Increase—The P3 Next SLS system from EOS meets requirements for the regulated medical market within a fully certified production environment, according to one ...
- + Amcor to Buy Berry Global in Blockbuster Deal—The $8.4-billion merger will create a global packaging juggernaut.
- + Graphene Gives PET Bottles a Lightweighting Boost and More—HydroGraph Clean Power targets three segments of the plastics supply chain for fractal graphene nanotechnology while developing the tech for other pol...
- + The Troubleshooter: Essentials of the Injection Molding Process—Follow these guidelines to correctly validate your injection molding process and reduce defects and scrap.
- + Bayer’s New Mono-Material Blister Cuts Carbon Footprint by 38%—In partnership with Liveo Research, Bayer is launching a PET blister package for Aleve that checks the sustainability box at no additional cost to the...
- + Does a Reusable Pharmacy Vial Make Sense?—New ANSI standards will guide the logistics challenges of collecting, washing, and redistributing primary packaging containers. Food and beverages are...
- + Subaru Used HP 3D-printed Parts for the Legacy Outback Boostgear—The real-world possibilities of automotive parts produced by 3D printing are demonstrated on Subaru’s concept car.
- + First 100% Bioplastic Pouch Debuts—A sugarcane-derived resin from Braskem, a collaboration with Fresh-Lock closures, and savvy in-house converting all make Accredo Packaging’s store dro...
- + Melamine-free Flame Retardant Addresses Regulatory Requirements—Clariant’s Exolit AP 422 A essentially eliminates a Substance of Very High Concern while providing fire resistance across multiple applications.
- + Talent Talk: How to Prepare for the Coming Labor Shortage—First, examine your interview process — it’s the top non-compensation factor that candidates consider when making a decision.
- + Researchers Develop Efficient Polyester Recycling Technology—A catalytic process that breaks down polyester in about an hour at moderate temperatures yields virgin-quality resin.
- + SPE Names Winners of 2024 Automotive Innovation Awards—Plastics are indispensable for slashing part counts, boosting ride quality, and improving safety, as evidenced by the winners of this year's Automotiv...
- + Resin Price Report: Rare Price Drop for PE Contracts—The three-cent reduction in October was the first official decrease of the year. There is a three-cent increase on the table for November, but impleme...
- + Geon Adds TPE Production Line in Mexico—Part of a $1.3-million upgrade, the line will shorten lead times for automotive OEMs and consumer markets.
- + Schneider Electric, HP to Keynote First Sustainable Manufacturing Expo—Registration is now open for the only dedicated expo and conference in the US for sustainable manufacturing innovations.
- + Packaging Recycling Rates in America: Then & Now—We chart the recycling rates of eight common packaging materials to show how much a focus on sustainability has made a difference in the last decade. ...
- + Rheom Materials Eyes Commercial-scale Production of Bio-based Leather Alternative—A strategic partnership with plastics extrusion specialist Bixby International allowed the startup to launch its first pilot-scale trial this month.
- + To Celebrate National Recycling Day, Resist Misinformation—Arm yourself with these basic facts about plastics recycling.
- + HDPE Bottles Market Sees Sustainable Growth—Compatibility with a range of consumer goods, plus good marks for sustainability, position HDPE bottles for growth.
- + LS Mtron, Hyundai Partner to Advance Eco-friendly Plastic Part Technology—The collaboration will address common injection molding challenges and support mass production of lightweight automotive parts using post-consumer rec...
- + Did RFK Jr. Really Say That?—A little over a year ago, Robert F. Kennedy Jr. posted his 10-point plan to fix the “plastics crisis” on X. His proposals might shock you.
- + Plastics by the Numbers—Plastics market reports for microplastic detection, polymer foam, retort pouches, tie-layer resins, biodegradable polymers, stretch and shrink film, a...
- + Gilero Expands Medtech Injection Molding in North Carolina—The facility in Greensboro will be dedicated to producing critical components for medical devices and pharmaceutical packaging.
- + Gilero Expands Medtech Injection Molding in North Carolina—The facility in Greensboro will be dedicated to producing critical components for medical devices and pharmaceutical packaging.
- + Where Trash Talk, Ocean Plastic, and Cannabis Meet—AE Global will bring the Talk Trash packaging sustainability initiative to MJBizCon and manage the event’s waste.
- + Avient Unveils Pre-colored PEEK Compounds at Medica—The biocompatible compounds combine functionality and aesthetics in medical device applications.
- + Sabic Opens $170-million Ultem Plant in Singapore—The facility caters to high-tech end-user industries in the Asia-Pacific region.
- + Medical Wearables: What You’ll Be Wearing Next Year, and Beyond—An ECG patch on display at Medica this week and a soft biocompatible material with ferroelectric and piezoelectric properties under development illust...
- + AdvaMed Reacts to Second Trump Term—Trump’s in. Here’s how one medtech association is reacting to the news, and how it intends to work with the president-elect.
- + Polyacetal Grades Strengthened With Short Cellulose Fiber—The environmental impact of the material is reduced without adversely affecting performance.
- + California AG Wins Round Two in Subpoena Fight With PLASTICS—A federal judge has struck down a second attempt by the industry association to block California’s attorney general from obtaining documents.
- + Resin Price Report: Prices Stabilize as Deals Flourish—Resin producers turn a deaf ear to calls for a $0.03/lb cut in PE contracts.
- + ADM Refocuses Event to Highlight All Encompassing Divisions of Canadian Advanced Manufacturing Ahead of Montréal Show—Evolving the show into dedicated areas of packaging, automation, design & manufacturing, plastics, processing, and battery manufacturing emphasize...
- + Manufacturers Pledge to Work With President-Elect Donald Trump—Leaders from Eaton, FIRST Solar, General Mills, General Motors, LEGO Systems, Trane, and hundreds of other manufacturers had signed a letter along wit...
- + Inaccurate Recycling Claims Land K-Cups in Hot Water—Past statements draw SEC scrutiny and a $150-million civil settlement from parent Keurig Dr Pepper.
- + MD&M West Keynote Speakers Address Transformative Changes in Advanced Manufacturing—Avrio Institute CEO and New York Times best-selling author Shawn DuBravac and LeaderLogic CEO Nick Webb are scheduled to speak at the event.
- + Promising Plastic Packaging: Our Pack Expo Picks—From a breakthrough bioplastic pouch to new barrier bottle options, the semiannual Chicago tradeshow showcased innovations from forward-thinking compa...
- + Viant Medical Bolts on Micro-molding Expertise—The global contract services provider to medical device OEMs has acquired micro-molding specialist Knightsbridge Plastics.
- + New Medical-grade TPEs Designed for Biopharma Tubing Applications—The thermoplastic elastomers (TPEs) from Teknor Apex address challenges associated with continuous processing of biopharmaceuticals through roller pum...
- + Sustainable Plastics Can Redefine the Future of E-bikes—Replacing steel and aluminum with injection-molded plastics and localized supply chains are emerging trends among e-bike manufacturers.
- + Plaskolite to Lay Off 90 Workers at Massachusetts Facility—The company said it is shutting down the Sheffield plant because of soaring electricity costs and other expenses and difficulty finding skilled labor.
- + What a Trump Win Means for the Plastics Industry—Suddenly, everything has shifted ahead of the fifth — and nominally final — round of UN-led negotiations for a global plastics treaty at the end of th...
- + What's at Stake for Medtech as Trump Wins the Presidency?—Where does Donald Trump stand on healthcare issues as he is elected the next president of the United States?
- + Guill Enters Custom-engineered Pultrusion Die Market—The extrusion tooling specialist is applying its expertise to the design and production of pultrusion dies for automotive, construction, and other app...
- + Absolute Haitian and Color Service Earn Product Showcase Slots at EXPOPLAST—Absolute Haitian will feature a smart electric injection molding machine while Color Service will highlight its automated masterbatch dosing system.
- + Wood-based Carbon Fiber Conserves Energy—New materials that combine sustainability with performance reportedly reduce energy consumption and production costs compared with conventional carbon...
- + PepsiCo Prevails in NY Pollution Lawsuit—State Supreme Court judge dismisses what he calls a “predatory lawsuit.”
- + Winpak Strikes Package Deal With Nova Chemicals—Winpak will use Syndigo recycled polyethylene to manufacture packaging for perishable foods, beverages, and personal-care products.
As of 1/9/25 8:34pm. Last new 12/28/24 3:36pm. Score: 588
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