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Rotomolded fuel tanks made of acetal, produced via Gemstar Manufacturing’s Robomold robotic rotomolding technology, have been identified as a highly viable alternative to fluorinated fuel tanks in the wake of an Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) decision to halt the production of fluorinated coatings for high-density polyethylene (HDPE) containers due to per- and polyfluoroalkyl substance (PFAS) contamination. Gemstar has commercialized several EPA-certified acetal fuel tanks made with its unique Robomold robotic rotomolding process…

Contract manufacturer Diversified Plastics Inc. (DPI) has a new CEO at the helm, with Alex Danzberger being promoted from vice president of finance. With more than two decades of experience ranging from operations to process efficiency, Danzberger will lead the Minneapolis-based custom manufacturer further down the path of digital manufacturing. Diversified also has a facility in Vista, CA. “Alex’s unique skillset aligns perfectly with the company’s vision and growth initiatives,”…

Mobility technology supplier to the automotive sector Marelli selected CES 2024 in Las Vegas to launch its LeanLight headlight and rear light concepts. Compared with traditional automotive lighting, the products feature up to 20% fewer components, a 20% reduction in weight, and a 6 kg reduction in CO2 emissions. Systems based on Marelli’s Lean platforms are primarily pre-developed, leaving room for automakers to customize certain features. This module-based platform approach targets…

Outrage over millions of plastic pellets washing up on the northwest shore of Spain earlier this week is spilling over into the European Parliament. Media outlets are reporting that some European Union (EU) lawmakers have vowed to strengthen a law on microplastics pollution that the parliament started negotiating on Oct. 16, 2023. The proposed law originally targeted reducing the amount of plastic pellets that end up in the environment through…

Synthetic turf manufacturer TenCate has taken a giant step toward stomping out persistent chemicals known as PFAS from its products. In an audit of its manufacturing processes, TenCate engineers found that a processing aid used in fiber extrusion for its top-of-the-line artificial grass contained trace levels of non-soluble PFAS. Finding a replacement aid without PFAS led to the milestone the company announced this week. “It’s important to note that third-party…

Life cycle assessments (LCAs) play a crucial role in facilitating fair comparisons across various materials and packaging, ensuring a standardized methodology for evaluating environmental impacts. It’s crucial to let the data tell the story to make valid apples-to-apples comparisons.  In the pursuit of the European Commission’s net-zero targets, the shift from fossil-based to renewable materials is vital for environmental sustainability. Biomass, carbon capture and utilization (CCU), and recycling emerge as…

Reusable packaging, which is the subject of a major deep-dive report drawn from real-world examples, may be stepping from the wings into the sustainability spotlight. Closed Loop Partners’ Center for the Circular Economy (“the Center”), in collaboration with the U.S. Plastics Pact, published on January 9 a first-of-its-kind report, Unpacking Customer Perspectives on Reusable Packaging. The 26-page report shares new insights on customer behavior toward reuse in the US. It seeks…

The triumphant May return of the COVID-delayed NPE: The Plastics Show will feature many new educational opportunities thanks to a wealth of added information sessions. The three Spark Stages are one of those additions. Showcasing bottling, innovation, and sustainability, the Spark Stages will feature more than 75 presentations on the expo floor. These talks, presented hourly between 10 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. daily, are geared to letting attendees “hear from…

It was all smiles at the PlasticsExchange as the year came to a close. December was the highest volume month at the resin clearinghouse in almost two years. The spot resin markets remained busy right up until the Christmas break, with an abundance of deeply discounted railcars available during December, polyethylene (PE) more so than polypropylene (PP). Most offers were sold by the end of the third week. Then, the…

China’s economy is showing signs of recovery while Asia overall is acting as the locomotive of the global economy. As the economy continues to rebound, the exhibition industry, which is regarded as an economic barometer, is experiencing a strong recovery. Following its impressive performance in Guangzhou in 2023, Chinaplas 2024 will be held from April 23 to 26, occupying all 15 exhibition halls of the National Exhibition and Convention Center…