Now that we are in the second half of the year, it seemed like a good time to speak with ICIS analyst Jeremy Pafford about where resin pricing has been in the first six months of 2022 and where it might be headed. It’s a mixed bag, but the good news overall is that the resin markets may have peaked. “Polyethylene probably has peaked, and you could see a slow…
Roofing and waterproofing manufacturer GAF, part of the Standard Industries group, will build a fifth polyisocyanurate insulation manufacturing plant, set for Peru, Ill.
Fort Lauderdale, Fla.-based Montachem was one of 19 companies that recently received an E Award from the department, the highest recognition a U.S. entity can receive for making a significant contribution to the expansion of U.S. exports.
BASF and Thor GmbH are combining their expertise in non-halogenated flame-retardant additives to provide customers with a comprehensive solution that will enhance the sustainability and performance of specific plastic compounds while meeting stringent fire-safety requirements. Flame retardancy is an essential element for plastic components or composites that are commonly used in transportation, construction, household, and industrial applications, as accidental heat and flame exposure can lead to serious damage and endanger…
Sustainability and the circular economy are two of the overarching themes that influence technological development and business models in plastics today. (Image: Engel) This blog post appears precisely on the 50th anniversary of my first day as an editor at Plastics Technology magazine. So, I’ve been thinking about what has changed in reporting on the plastics industry during that time. Plenty, one might say, but rather than getting lost in…
Dow today announced a full-court press to substantially expand its worldwide recycling ecosystem by helping to build a number of mechanical and advanced recycling facilities and using the post-consumer materials they generate in its products. During the company’s second-quarter earnings call, Dow CEO Jim Fitterling discussed the investments, which are intended to divert more waste plastics from landfills and make Dow the largest consumer of recycled-plastic feedstock for polyethylene. The…
SHL Medical is initially investing $90 million to build a new manufacturing site in North Charleston, S.C., in response to growing demand for autoinjector products.
The industrial equipment manufacturer is seeking strategic alternatives for its Batesville casket subsidiary as it pursues purchase of Linxis for $583 million.
Researchers have tapped advanced materials with a combination of conductivity and flexibility to develop highly sensitive wearable devices that provide a dual purpose. A team from the University of British Columbia Okanagan (UBCO) used high-resolution extrusion printing to develop small and lightweight devices that act as both electromagnetic interference (EMI) shields and a body motion sensor. EMIs hields can have applications in the healthcare, aerospace, and automotive industries, researchers said.…
My introduction to the concept of a circular economy came from Cradle to Cradle, a 2002 book by chemist Michael Braungart and architect William McDonough. Cradle to Cradle (2002) by Braungart and McDonough. The author’s own copy has held up well. The book itself was a singular object, printed on recyclable plastic with nontoxic ink. The ideas within seemed revolutionary. I studied mechanical engineering, but sustainability, as far as I…