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Everywhere scientists look for microplastics, they’ve found them — food, water, air, and some parts of the human body. But examinations of our innermost organs that aren’t directly exposed to the environment are still limited. Now, in a pilot study of people who underwent heart surgery, researchers in American Chemical Society’s Environmental Science & Technology report that they have found microplastics in many heart tissues. They also report evidence suggesting that microplastics…

When you live in a large urban environment, as I do, you come to tolerate some inconveniences — and worse — because of the countless cultural, entertainment, and gastronomic attractions and professional opportunities that only a metropolis can offer. One of the unique attributes of Los Angeles is the proximity to nature, from sun-splashed beaches to the unspoiled wilderness of the mountains. Did I say unspoiled? A recent article in the Los…

Materials supplier Covestro has developed an innovative chemical recycling process to convert polycarbonate back to its monomers so that they can be fed into the production process as alternative raw materials. Technical implementation of chemical recycling is now beginning on a pilot scale at the company’s site in Leverkusen, Germany. The process will be further optimized toward eventual deployment at a commercial scale. “As a manufacturer of plastics such as…

Intricon recently announced plans to open a facility in Costa Rica dedicated to the R&D and manufacturing of medical devices that incorporate microelectronics, biosensors, and electromagnetic navigation (EMN) sensors. The facility will have advanced circuit board and surface-mount assembly, custom molding, device assembly, and packaging. “Companies need the increased capacity and deep expertise Intricon brings to help them meet the growing demand for sensor-driven devices as non-invasive, data-driven healthcare becomes…

Spot resin continued to transact at a rapid pace the week of Aug. 7, and prices for all polyethylene (PE) and polypropylene (PP) grades added $0.01/lb, as the burgeoning bullish sentiment noted in last week’s Resin Price Report gained more steam. Completed volumes at the PlasticsExchange again ran above the average seen so far in 2023, with PE the more actively traded material, reports the resin clearinghouse in its Market…