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Despite diligent efforts to combat contamination at industrial composting sites, conventional plastic can persist in the finished compost. That’s according to the Composting Consortium, New York, which released findings from pioneering research into compost contamination in a report titled “Don’t Spoil the Soil: The Challenge of Contamination at Composting Sites.” The consortium is an industry collaboration led by the Center for the Circular Economy at Closed Loop Partners. The research…

Plastic injection molding is a complex business. There are many different data measurements that are key to determining success or failure on the production floor. Many companies fail to understand which data provide the best analysis key points, and that can lead to long-term failures. This article will identify the data collection points that best identify system failures. It will also recommend approaches to recognizing system failures and explain how…

Swiss sustainable lightweighting company Bcomp has announced the application of its ampliTex natural-fiber-composite technology in the new Volvo EX30. This landmark project will see Bcomp’s flax-fiber composites offered as an optional trim for the dashboard and doors of the EX30. The collaboration follows Volvo Cars Tech Fund’s Series B investment in Bcomp last year.  While Bcomp’s natural-fiber composites have been well-proven in demanding motorsport applications like Formula 1 and Formula E,…

The three top executives at Chemours that were placed on administrative leave at the end of last month engaged in unethical activities to meet the company’s cash flow targets and, in turn, boost their compensation, the Delaware-based company has revealed in a press release on its website. Playing loose with payments An internal audit found that CEO Mark Newman, SVP and CFO Jonathan Lock, and VP, Controller and Principal Accounting…

Expanded polystyrene (EPS) aka polystyrene foam is a versatile and lightweight plastic valued for its low cost, buoyancy, and insulating qualities for packaging, buildings, and other markets. However, EPS is also vilified for its environmental impact and lack of recycling infrastructure of much consequence. However, that’s changing grant by grant through the efforts of the Foam Recycling Coalition of the Foodservice Packaging Institute (FPI). For organizations looking to increase EPS recycling, the…

MedAccred has expanded its accreditation program to small and medium sized medical device OEMs. The new associate subscriber level allows companies with less than $250 million in annual revenue to access audit details of the program at a substantially reduced subscription rate. Suppliers to the medical device industry also have access to the program by becoming a contract manufacturer subscriber. A not-for-profit supply chain oversight program, MedAccred claims to be…

Arburg is breaking its tradition of premiering new machines in Germany to give the world its first look at its new Allrounder 720E Golden Electric at NPE2024 in Orlando, FL, in May. The new machine “combines high precision with a streamlined design at a particularly attractive price,” noted Technical Director Guido Frohnhaus, and is ideal for less-complex products with cycle times of around 15 seconds. Demo uses 24-cavity mold At…

Syensqo, previously part of Solvay Group, has developed a new version of its flagship MTM 49-3 resin that contains 30% bio-sourced monomers. The new product variant complements the portfolio of the company’s MTM advanced prepregs, and targets structural automotive applications, including body panels, chassis components, and spoilers. Material helps OEMS meet sustainability goals “Our new bio-based MTM 49-3 will help OEMs and Tiers to reduce fossil depletion and meet their…

PlasticsToday readers may have been drawn here by a subject search or shared link or social media post, but however you entered the website, you found the wide world of plastics to be your oyster. Such is the compilation of the top 10 articles of February, which represents a diverse mix of colorful topics that would make for a coat of many colors. A continually common thread looms large again…

Foam Expo, North America’s largest trade show and conference devoted to foam products and manufacturing, is returning for its seventh edition from June 25 to 27, 2024, in Novi, MI. Attendees also will have access to the co-located Adhesives & Bonding Expo taking place in the same hall. A diverse range of foam products, raw materials, manufacturing machinery, and service providers will be featured under one roof. Manufacturing and processing…