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The automotive industry is undergoing its biggest revolution in 100 years with the rise of electric and hybrid vehicles. Governments around the world have adopted policies that promote electric vehicles as part of their sustainability efforts, even mandating their implementation in the decades ahead. As the industry continues to adapt, plastics are uniquely positioned to move this revolution forward. Plastics have played a long-standing and important role in supporting automotive…

The global market for polyolefin elastomers and plastomers (POEs/POPs) is forecast to reach a 7.4% compound annual growth rate through 2030, approaching $6.3 billion in value, according to a report released by MLT Analytics. This impressive growth is set to be fueled by strong gains in solar panel encapsulation at the expense of ethylene vinyl acetate (EVA) resin and supported by advances in impact modification of automotive polypropylene (PP) compounds…

Last week, Plastics Technology opened up submissions for its free, anonymous benchmarking survey for injection molders. Now in its sixth year and coming off its most robust response rate ever, the Top Shops Survey not only gives its respondents an opportunity to audit their operations, but it also takes those results and shows how the respective molder compares to its peers. To properly plan for the coming year, a vital…

This has been a hectic time for plastics processors, many of which have ramped up production and development efforts to bring new products to the market, some related to the ongoing pandemic. The great news is that all the time and expenses these processors spent to meet the new demand and expand plastics’ applicability can qualify for the research and development (R&D) tax credit, saving companies millions of dollars so…

A negative photosensitive polyimide developed by Toray Industries maintains the characteristic thermal resistance, mechanical properties, and adhesion of the material while increasing resolutions and enabling high-definition pattern formation on 100-micrometer and other thick films. To accommodate the increased speed and capacity of 5G and 6G networks, smartphones and other mobile devices will require more miniaturized electronic components and higher density mountings. This will necessitate more refined fabrication processes for the insulating…

Painting of exterior automotive parts, such as fenders, bumpers, tank flaps, grilles, mirror housings, and rear quarter panels, is complicated by the necessity of separate operation lines for metallic and polymer components, as plastics are insulative. This generally makes in-line electrostatic spray painting impossible, leading to additional costs while slowing down the entire painting process. Consequently, automotive part makers normally select temperature-stable thermoplastic grades and modify these systems with electrically…

TotalEnergies has started up a new reactor in Feluy, Belgium, for production of performance polypropylene (PP) materials. Through this investment, TotalEnergies aims to augment its position in the value-added polymers market. The company, therefore, is increasing its production of grades that meet the highest quality standards and technical requirements of specialty markets, including medical and automotive. In the automotive sector, PP and other engineering resins are replacing metal to reduce…