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Just in time for Earth Day, Showa Group announced on April 21 that its single-use, biodegradable nitrile gloves have been cleared through FDA’s 510(k) process. The Showa M7005PFA gloves reportedly are the first biodegradable nitrile gloves approved for medical use. The company also claims to be the only integrated manufacturer of nitrile, single-use PPE gloves fully made in the United States. The medical gloves incorporate Showa’s Eco Best Technology (EBT), which…

With our inaugural and successful PTXPO trade show behind us, the team at Plastics Technology is now shifting into conference mode. As in prior years, we have two: one focused on injection molding, the other on extrusion. This year, both will be held in Charlotte, N.C., though not at the same time (or specific place). If you are involved in injection molding, save this date: Nov. 8-10. That’s when the injection molding…

Examining the behavior of different plastics during sorting and washing is a key focus currently at the NTCP (National Test Center Circular Plastics) in the Netherlands, Europe’s first independent testing and research center of its kind with facilities on an industrial scale.  The goal is to optimize processes quantitatively, qualitatively and with more efficient energy use, in order to promote plastics recycling in line with the circular economy model. Dutch…

One of the most dynamic categories in plastics is for bioplastics aka biopolymers and related bio-based materials made from renewable sources. The articles PlasticsToday publishes related to this high-interest, fast-accelerating topic represent only the fraction of what’s happening in this market. That’s the idea behind this new curated stream of Tweets drawn from Twitter dedicated to bioplastic news, research, and innovations that will be updated frequently. To keep the stream fresh,…

I hate it when this happens. Microwaving prepared foods in a black PP tray with a clear PET snap-on lid. Whoops. Gotcha! (Photo: Matthew Naitove) Since my day job is helping manufacturers make better plastics products, it stings all the more when I encounter such products in my own home that make life not easier, but more difficult. Since I’m no ordinary consumer, I often can get a pretty good…

A $3 billion sustainability-linked loan — the largest issued to date — was included in the financing for Apollo Global Management’s acquisition of a majority stake in sustainable packaging manufacturer Novolex Holdings. The financing, which also includes $1.6 billion in sustainability-linked bonds, “is tied to our greenhouse gas (GHG) target associated with Novolex operations,” said Erik Gonring, Director of Sustainability for Novolex. “Our goal is to achieve a 30% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions per ton of production…