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Honeywell has developed a process for producing high yields of bio-naphtha using sustainable feedstock such as used cooking oil and animal fats. The technique, which reduces carbon dioxide emissions compared with petrochemical-based naphtha production, uses Ecofining technology from Honeywell UOP. Conventional naphtha — used to produce plastics, including polyester and other packaging materials — is derived from crude oil and natural gas condensates. In contrast, the feedstock for bio-naphtha produced via…

Sulapac, a Finnish eco-startup company that first came to our attention in 2019, appears to be making significant strides with its biobased products, particularly in the luxury cosmetics packaging arena. One example is Sulapac’s evolving ‘partnership’ with Chanel. This leading brand was among Sulapac’s early investors. Sulapac was founded by two female biochemists specializing in biomaterials–Suvi Haimi and Laura Tirkkonen-Rajasalo. They recently provides us with some further clarification on their Sulapac…

When the packaging sustainability tsunami started to surge back at the turn of the century (aka the year 2000), many packaging professionals were overwhelmed with all the work to be done. Despite the multitude of ideas for improvement, the best advice at the time was to look for low-hanging fruit and start there. Then build on those successes, set new goals, and take the next step in the journey. Many…

Each year, an international jury representing the entire composites value chain identifies major innovations in various end markets — Automotive and Road Transportation, Aerospace, Building and Civil Engineering, Design, Furniture and Home, Equipment and Machinery, Maritime Transportation and Shipbuilding, Sports, Leisure and Recreation, and Renewable Energy. The standouts are nominated for the JEC Composites Innovation Awards. The awards ceremony will be held on April 26 in Paris, a week before…

Nontoxic, biodegrdable, vegetable-oil based hydraulic fluids can perform even better than synthetics. (Photo: Getty Images/Jag_cz) Should your hydraulic machinery go vegan? Many manufacturers have found all-electric drives to be cleaner, quieter and more sustainable than hydraulics, but many have also found it difficult to quit hydraulics altogether. (Even some “all-electric” injection presses include a small auxiliary power pack to drive ejectors, core pulls and certain other functions.) Keep in mind…

Comar, a supplier of custom medical devices and assemblies and specialty packaging, announced today it has acquired Automatic Plastics Ltd. (APL), a contract manufacturer of injection molded products primarily for the medical device and pharmaceutical sectors headquartered in Wicklow, Ireland. The deal represents Comar’s first step in a global expansion strategy. The financial terms of the transaction, backed by Morgan Stanley Capital Partners, were not disclosed.  In operation for 50…

Time is money, as they say, and if you can reduce cycle times in your plastics processing operation, then you might just find yourself a few shekels richer. That’s the promise of some of the recent product announcements compiled in this gallery. Process optimization is a focus for Meusburger and its PowerMove lifting plate and for KraussMaffei, which has found a novel way to shave off some seconds by overlapping…