Senate hearing asks ‘Can plastic recycling be more like paper?’
A Sept. 22 Senate hearing looked at big recycling shortfalls and goals, with significant discussion around plastics.
Zinc-Embedded Polyamide Offers Superior Protection from COVID-19
A major challenge in neutralizing COVID-19 and other airborne viruses involve absorption and inactivation, according to Vikram Gopal, PhD, Chief Technology Officer at Ascend Performance Materials. “Respiratory viral illnesses, such as COVID-19 and the flu, are transmitted through droplets and aerosols. Polypropylene, the material in commonly used disposable masks, is a hydrophobic plastic and does not absorb moisture. Instead, the viruses can sit on the surface of the mask, posing…
The pandemic’s impact evident on packaging
The pandemic brought about a need for companies to adapt to market conditions such as more demand for flexible packaging with rising ecommerce sales, but sustainability also continued to play a part.
New Microscale 3D Printer Targeting Prototyping and Short-Run Production
Boston Micro Fabrication (BMF) recently launched the microArch S230, along with three new materials. This next generation version of BMF’s highest resolution system is designed for applications that require ultra-high resolution prints (down to 2μm) with reported accuracy, precision and speed. The microArch S230 targets researchers and manufacturers needing micro parts with tight tolerances for prototyping through production. The printer is built upon BMF’s patented Projection Micro Stereolithography (PµSL) technology, a technique…
Willingness to experiment pays off for the Steere family
Molder, toolmaking Steere has expanded its product lines far beyond ducts and seatbelt sleeves.
Braskem Teams Up with Intimate Apparel Maker to Create Plant-Based Bra Cups
Brazil-based Braskem, a leading petrochemical and biopolymer producer, has partnered with intimate apparel manufacturer Gelmart International to create a bra cup made from sugarcane-based polymer foam. The bras, which are part of Gelmart’s “kindly” product line, are sold exclusively at Walmart stores and on Walmart.com. The bra cups are made from Braskem’s “I’m green” ethylene vinyl acetate (EVA) biopolymer, which is produced from sustainably grown sugarcane. The biopolymer replaces conventional…
Extrusion Basics: The Taming of the Screw
Planet Earth is spinning at a rate of 0.0007 rpm. Easy to calculate: One revolution per day, divided by 24 to get revs/hr and then by 60 to get revs/min = rpm. As for linear speed, it depends on where you live. In Northern California where I am, it’s 38 north latitude and we’re moving around 730 miles per hour. That’s around the speed of sound but we don’t feel…
Selenis supports waste reduction pact
The materials firm also is readying new products to improve recyclability.
A changed world: Resin fees, bottle bill endorsements
Tweets from a U.S. Senator on resin taxes and a group of plastic bottle makers pushing container deposits, both in the same week, show how much plastic debates have changed.
Thermo Fisher investing $180M to meet diagnostics, bioprocessing demands
Thermo Fisher wins Defense Department contract, invests in new facilities and expands to meet demand in diagnostics and bioprocessing.