Blog

Glass-fiber-reinforced plastic (GFRP) is widely used in everything from aircraft parts to windmill blades. Yet the very qualities that make it robust enough to be used in so many different applications make its disposal difficult. Consequently, most GFRP waste is buried in a landfill once it reaches its end of life. To address this problem, Rice University researchers and collaborators have developed a new, energy-efficient upcycling method to transform GFRP…

A medical in-mold labeling (IML) application will be showcased by Arburg at NPE2024. First presented at Fakuma in 2023 as a proof of concept, the compact turnkey production cell anchored by Arburg’s electric Allrounder 520 A “Ultimate” press will produce a centrifuge tube with label on the NPE show floor. IML is standard for packaging products, but the process is rarely used in medical manufacturing, said Arburg in its announcment.…

FDA’s ongoing investigation into plastic syringes made in China and distributed in the United States has revealed “more widespread” quality issues than originally known, the agency said in an update published today on its website. FDA first reported that it was evaluating the medical syringes on Nov. 30, 2023, after receiving information that the devices did not consistently deliver the correct dose of medication. FDA said in the update that…

Ahead of the fourth — and final — round of meetings of the global plastics treaty talks next month in Ottawa, the American Chemistry Council (ACC) has requested a meeting with President Biden. In a letter sent to the White House on March 15, ACC President and CEO Chris Jahn outlined the elements needed for a successful global plastics agreement and asked to meet with the president to “address priority issues…

Electronics makers continue to pack more power into ever-smaller form factors. And, increasingly, they are also adding artificial intelligence (AI) capabilities to their products. This may offer benefits to the consumer, but it also raises the stakes when it comes to keeping device temperatures down as computing power rises.  Just ask Eben Upton, CEO of Raspberry Pi Ltd. The UK-based firm makes small, single-board computers (SBCs) initially designed to help…

Carbon-emission reduction has become a buzzword in the automotive industry. BMW, Volvo, Volkswagen, Benz, Great Wall, Geely, and other automakers have announced their targets and action plans for carbon neutrality. Using low-carbon and eco-friendly materials, such as recycled plastics, bio-based compounds, and spray-free materials, is one of the most important measures for automakers to reduce carbon emissions. Regarding recycled plastics: BMW and Volkswagen are gradually increasing the proportion of recycled…

Scale Advanced Biocomposites, an innovator in bio-based composite reinforcements, unveiled its BIO|Power and COR|Power product lines at the recent JEC World show in Paris. The materials are designed to replace or enhance carbon fiber in lightweight composites. By doubling down on the inherent benefits of natural fibers and bio-based materials, including low density and excellent damping characteristics, Scale enables composites manufacturers to move to sustainable materials and provide new levels…

A longtime advocate of sustainability, Nova Chemicals Corp. is stepping up its engagement with the circular economy a notch by launching the Centre of Excellence for Plastics Circularity at its headquarters in Calgary, Alberta. The center is described as a “network of industry innovators and Canadian research institutions who have a shared vision of furthering global efforts in sustainable plastics management.” To further Canadian innovation and achieve global sustainability goals…

The wheels of justice, true to form, moved slowly but we learned last week that Laura Perryman, the founder and former CEO of medical device company Stimwave, was convicted of conspiracy to commit healthcare fraud and wire fraud. The convictions carry a maximum sentence of 10 years in prison for healthcare fraud and 20 years for healthcare and wire fraud. The sentencing will be determined by the judge at a…

Inteplast Group’s biaxially oriented polypropylene (BOPP) Films business unit has received ISCC (International Sustainability & Carbon Certification) PLUS certification for three facilities: Gray Court, SC; Lolita, TX; and Morristown, TN. Inteplast BOPP Films can now produce and supply ISCC-certified materials that are attributed via a mass balance approach. This makes the company one of the first North American BOPP film manufacturers to hold the ISCC PLUS designation and aligns with…