Plastic packaging use continues to rise, yet end‑of‑life challenges persist. In 2019 the industry shifted its focus toward a circular economy for plastics, a theme highlighted at the K 2019 show with new sustainability‑oriented technologies and innovations. The Company’s Response to COVID‑19 During

The Society of Plastics Engineers (SPE) has announced its inaugural virtual ANTEC 2020, a response to the pandemic‑related cancellation of the in‑person event.   ANTEC 2020 – The Virtual Edition will run from Monday, March 30 through Wednesday, June 9, with live sessions every Monday, Tuesday,

Sweden’s Nexam Chemical, a leading developer of heat‑activated crosslinkers for plastics, has signed 2020‑2021 supply agreements with Diab Group’s U.S. office in DeSoto, Texas—one of the world’s top four high‑performance foam manufacturers. Since 2015, Nexam has supported Diab’s global production, c

3D-printed scrapper from Essentium. Essentium Inc. announced a partnership with Lehvoss Group to create high‑performance materials tailored for extrusion‑based 3D printing, targeting aerospace, automotive, oil & gas, biomedical, and electronics sectors. High‑cost and subpar performance of existing

Before plastics were even invented, the metals sector—particularly steel—had already mastered the art of annealing. By subjecting alloys to controlled heating and cooling, manufacturers can lower hardness, boost ductility, relieve internal stresses, and transform microstructure. Copper, brass, and o

In response to the urgent need for protective equipment amid the COVID‑19 pandemic, Solvay’s U.S. office in Alpharetta, Georgia, has joined forces with Boeing to supply high‑performance, medical‑grade transparent film for face shields. Boeing selected Solvay because of its extensive experience with

Eastman has supplied high‑quality PETG material to aid the production of face shields for healthcare workers across Tennessee. The initiative, coordinated by the Tennessee Higher Education Commission, aims to manufacture 10,000 face shields in two weeks using university‑based 3D printers. When a lo

Amid the global shortage of mechanical ventilators, Belgian 3D‑printing pioneer Materialise has unveiled the NIP Connector, a 3‑D‑printed device that transforms readily available hospital equipment into a non‑invasive PEEP (positive end‑expiratory pressure) mask. This solution delivers oxygen and po

The Porsche Taycan is the first production electric sports car to feature an all‑plastic brake pedal. Built with a composite structure, the component is 50 % lighter than its steel counterpart, boosting efficiency and handling. In a partnership with Lanxess High Performance Materials (U.S. office, P

Introducing the BiOAID Mask Orbis (bioaid.us), a California‑based company originally focused on electric drivetrain systems, has pivoted to health technology. The result is a thermoformable mask that combines a polyethylene (PE) shell with a replaceable HEPA‑type filter. Designed as a cost‑effective

In response to the ongoing COVID‑19 pandemic, Troy University’s Center for Materials and Manufacturing Sciences in Troy, Alabama, has launched cutting‑edge research aimed at expanding the production of personal protective equipment (PPE) for healthcare workers and establishing innovative pathways fo

Elkem Silicones, headquartered in East Brunswick, N.J., has launched a patented Liquid Silicone Rubber (LSR) system—LSR Select—that offers molders and product designers a suite of game‑changing features. The system was showcased at MD &M West 2020. Low‑temperature cure. Unlike conventional LSR, LSR 

Clariant Plastics & Coatings Healthcare Polymer Solutions, in partnership with a leading medical‑device manufacturer, has finalized the development and rigorous testing of novel thermoplastic compounds engineered to withstand hydrolytic degradation caused by high humidity and temperature. This b

Clariant Healthcare Polymer Solutions, based in Charlotte, N.C., has introduced a new line of medical‑grade polymer compounds and concentrates specifically engineered for laser welding. These materials support a Quality by Design (QbD) strategy that empowers medical‑device manufacturers to embed rel

Solvay Specialty Polymers’ Xencor LFT thermoplastics deliver high strength and impact resistance for structural medical components, enabling designers and OEMs to replace metal and short‑fiber thermoplastics in chassis, gear systems, and load‑bearing parts. Showcased at MD&M West 2020, the Xenc

MD&M West 2020, held in Anaheim, California, February 11‑13, showcased a broad portfolio of cutting‑edge medical‑grade resins and compounds. These materials address a wide range of applications, from sterilization trays and diagnostic equipment to drug‑delivery devices and handheld diagnostics. BA

In a recent industry update, a major supplier has introduced glass‑reinforced grades of acetal homopolymer—an evolution that underscores the critical distinction between glass‑filled and glass‑reinforced materials. FILLED VS. REINFORCED ACETAL Table 1 (not shown) compares unfilled acetal homopolymer

Lanxess subsidiary Bond‑Laminates is advancing its Tepex line of continuous‑fiber‑reinforced thermoplastic composites, with 50 % of the matrix derived from recycled polycarbonate extracted from reusable water bottles. The new semi‑finished products target high‑performance housings for laptops, smart

Ineos Olefins & Polymers, in partnership with Italy‑based polymer recycling specialist Forever Plast SpA, has launched a new line of polyethylene (PE) grades that incorporate 50 % recycled PET bottle caps. These high‑performance materials are engineered to match the properties of conventional virgin

The Neopolen product line of expanded polypropylene foam (EPP) from BASF, headquartered in Florham Park, N.J., now includes a new grade that delivers superior surface performance and optimized filling behavior. Neopolen P 9235+ – A Leap Forward Neopolen P 9235+ builds on the proven Neopolen family,