As expected, spot resin trading was sluggish during the July 4 holiday week, as much of the industry took an extended break. While fresh railcars were scarce, some resellers were looking for early month sales for pre-forecasted cars. Still, it took until midweek before meaningful volumes changed hands, reports the Plastics Exchange in its Market Update. Demand then grew, as more processors returned to the market to source material. Prime PE…
Robots could soon make use of plastic “muscles” thanks to a new ferroelectric polymer that excels at converting electrical energy into motion, according to research led by Penn State. The research, published in the journal Natural Materials, found that ferroelectric polymer nanocomposites can outperform traditional piezoelectric polymer composites to create high-performance motion controllers. Applications could include advanced robotics, medical devices, and precision positioning systems. “Potentially we can now have a…
Aluula and Incidence Sails spent about two years testing a composite now being used on the Biotherm in an around-the-world race.
The target of a class-action lawsuit stemming from a massive April fire at a Richmond, Ind., plastics recycling and resale plant is blaming the blaze on the city, which owns part of the property.
Last week we talked about the light at the end of the tunnel for the manufacturing sector, including the plastics industry, and the two major factors that are behind the coming expansion. I will continue a deeper dive into why we are on the brink of something quite remarkable, but that is going to have to wait a week. Due to my business, I have become a data junkie. I…
New York City-based digital manufacturing company Shapeways Holdings Inc. is planning to invest $5 million and create 75 jobs in Livonia, Mich., after moving its plant from Long Island, N.Y.
Philadelphia-based Oliver Healthcare Packaging has acquired Germany-based film and foil technology company, EK-Pack Folien GmbH, including its Switzerland-based subsidiary, Vacopack H. Buchegger AG.
Joby Aviation has received a Federal Aviation Administration Special Airworthiness Certificate for the first aircraft built at its pilot production line in Marina, California, allowing Joby to begin flight testing of its first production prototype. This comes on the heels of the extension of the U.S. Air Force’s $131 million Agility Prime contract which is scheduled to see Joby electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) aircraft delivered to the Air…
New Zealand has become the first country in the world to ban single-use produce bags at grocery stores. New Zealand shoppers already were expected to bring their own shopping bags to supermarkets. Effective July 1, they also are being asked to carry their own reusable bags for fruits and vegetables. The latest move is part of a wider government campaign against single-use plastics. In July 2019, New Zealand no longer…
Trent Fehr’s side gig is vacuum forming protective gear worn under the medieval costumes of reenactors who participate in battles and other events sponsored by the Society for Creative Anachronism Inc.