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Arburg calculated the embedded energy consumption and carbon emissions for around 11,000 components of its injection machines, comprising eight different materials categories. (Photo: Arburg) Back in June, I outlined the daunting complexities of calculating carbon footprints for either a production plant (“site carbon footprint”) or a plastic product (“product carbon footprint”). My brief overview of the subject was based on a new book, Sustainability Management in Plastics Processing, by consultant…

Toray Industries has kicked off sales of Toraypearl PA6, a truly spherical polyamide (PA) 6 particle for powder bed fusion 3D printers that offers high strength, heat resistance, and surface smoothness. A commercial production facility for Toraypearl should be fully operational by March 2026, further expanding capacity. Powder bed fusion 3D printers use metallic or resin particles and deliver 3D-printed parts with excellent dimensional accuracy and efficiency. Metals are for…

Much of the world celebrates the contributions of laborers on May 1, International Workers’ Day, commonly called May Day. Not so in the United States, where some took umbrage at its Marxist origins, and Congress passed an act on June 28, 1894, declaring Labor Day a national holiday on the first Monday of September. The federal government came a little late to the party: By the time it acted, Labor…

California legislators rushed to pass hundreds of bills before the legislative session formally ended at midnight on Aug. 31. Buried within that paper blizzard was AB 2784, which would establish a mandate for the quantity of recycled content in thermoformed packaging. If the bill is signed into law by Gov. Gavin Newsom, it would require most types of thermoformed plastic containers to include a percentage of recycled content that increases…

A recycling summit in Covington KY, hosted August 23-25 by Baerlocher, drew leaders from polymer and additive production, equipment supply, packaging manufacture, and trade organizations. Plenary sessions covered each part of the plastic recycling supply chain, sharing successes and challenges alike. Topics ranged from the chemistry of polymer degradation to development of ASTM standards. Attendees participated in three case studies, collaborating in small groups to solve real world recycling challenges.…