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Local content requirements for electric vehicle (EV) manufacture in the United States is creating a flurry of activity to establish local production capabilities for a variety of core components. One of the more recent announcements came from North Carolina Governor Roy Cooper, who stated that Japan’s Dai Nippon Printing (DNP) plans to construct a $233 million battery pouch plant in Linwood, NC. DNP is the world’s leading supplier of battery pouches. The lithium-ion battery…

US Sen. Chris Van Hollen (D-MD) and US Rep. Lloyd Doggett (D-TX) have introduced legislation seeking to ban the use of expanded polystyrene (EPS) for food service products, coolers, loose fill, and other purposes. Dubbed the Farewell to Foam Act,the legislation would prohibit the sale or distribution of EPS foam in certain products nationwide on Jan. 1, 2026. Senators Richard Blumenthal of Connecticut, Angus King of Maine, Ed Markey and…

Outside-the-box thinking can occur when you focus on what’s inside the box. Take bag-in-box packaging, for example. Durable nylon bags are often used in bag-in-box packaging that requires extra protection, for example motor oil or detergents or large industrial-use food bags. Nylon is also sometimes chosen when the supply chain is lengthy or complex. Smurfit Kappa Bag-in-Box developed a polyethylene film which has similar properties to nylon, in terms of…

Processing technology from advanced composites converter Arris has been adopted by Brooks in its next-generation running shoes. The shoes are reportedly the first to incorporate a continuous carbon-fiber-reinforced thermoplastic plate in the sole. The footwear will be available at retailers starting in the spring of 2024. Running shoe tested in marathons The footwear was unveiled at The Running Event (TRE) in Austin, TX, at the end of November. Prototype running…

As automakers seek enhanced sustainability, while taking the pain out of changing tires for drivers, the benefits of airless, puncture-less tread are becoming increasingly obvious. Currently being put through their paces on around 50 DHL delivery vans in Singapore, it is apparent that Michelin’s Uptis (Unique Puncture-proof Tire System) tires bring more benefits than just zero punctures. Insufficient tire pressure not only causes fuel economy to decline. It is also…

Specialty material solutions provider Trinseo is advancing the potential of sustainable plastics with the inauguration of its next-generation polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA) depolymerization plant in Rho, Italy. Scheduled to be commissioned in Q1 2024, this demonstration facility marks a pivotal step toward reshaping the plastics ecosystem as part of the circular economy.  PMMA, or acrylic, finds use in applications such as consumer products, signage, automotive lighting, and building and construction. This…

November inaugurated the traditional slow season in the US resin market, which will extend into December. Demand for polyethylene (PE) has slowed, as it normally does this time of year, but has performed better than expected. Polypropylene (PP) demand is also relatively strong given the time of year, although the industry continues to struggle with low operating rates. PE operating rates remain high thanks to abundant export opportunities. While underlying…

The spot resin market ended November with a pretty good showing compared with recent weeks, but still below the 2023 and historic averages at the PlasticsExchange trading desk. Sluggish activity seemed to be the norm in the resin markets the week of Nov. 27. That can be partially attributed to seasonal de-stocking and position balancing into year-end, reports the PlasticsExchange in its Market Update. Polypropylene (PP) prices slid another cent,…

Nissha Medical Technologies has formalized a definitive agreement to acquire majority equity in micromolding company Isometric Intermediate LLC. A contract design/development and manufacturing organization (CDMO), Wisconsin-based Nissha Medical Technologies is part of Japan’s Nissha Co. Ltd. The acquisition, which is expected to close later this month, will bolster Nissha Medical’s capabilities in the design, development, and manufacture of minimally invasive surgical devices and medical wearables, and further expand medtech innovation,…

In my role as Executive Director of the Sustainable Packaging Research, Information and Networking Group (SPRING), I see many sustainability factors forming over the plastic packaging horizon. PlasticsToday editors asked me to name what I consider to be the top five as we move into 2024. 1. Federal interest and motivation to first create, and then successfully apply, national recycling mandates. In April 2023, the Senate’s Environment & Public Works…