A team led by Virginia Tech researchers has developed a new method for upcycling plastics into high-value chemicals known as surfactants, which are used to create soap, detergent, and more. Converting Polyethylene into Fatty Acids Plastics and soaps tend to have little in common when it comes to texture, appearance, and, most importantly, how they […]

Teknor Apex announces new Sarlink® TPVs with up to 40% recycled content – another portfolio advancement in their sustainability journey. Sarlink® thermoplastic vulcanizates (TPVs) are the premier choice for automotive applications requiring superior elasticity and long-term performance, as a recyclable, light-weight alternative to EPDM rubber. This latest series, Sarlink® RX 3100B, was developed to help automotive brands achieve sustainability

Avantium announces that it has been awarded a €0.76 million grant by the EU Horizon Europe program for its participation in the research and development program Rebiolution. This program aims to design and synthetize biobased and biodegradable polyester blends based on FDCA (furan dicarboxylic acid) and other biobased monomers, to be used as plastic coating for

UBE has just presented a new high performing copolyamide grade (CoPA 6/6.6), UBE NYLON 5036B, with low crystallinity features and approved for food contact by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Ideal for High Demanding Food Packaging Applications Thanks to its lower melting point of 179°C, UBE NYLON 5036B offers an additional improvement in terms of

Covestro has developed an innovative process for recycling polycarbonate, i.e., polychain plastics. In this process, plastics are converted back into their monomers, a precursor of plastics, so that they can be fed back into the production process as alternative raw materials. At Covestro in Leverkusen, the technical implementation of chemical recycling is now beginning on a pilot scale. On

Toppan, Mitsui Chemicals Tohcello and Mitsui Chemicals have announced the launch of pilot testing this month for horizontally recycling printed BOPP film back into new flexible packaging film. Through this joint pilot testing initiative, the three companies aim to establish technologies and operational infrastructure for the horizontal recycling of flexible packaging materials, as well as leverage network

Polyplastics Group, a global supplier of engineering thermoplastics, has launched the DURACIRCLE™ initiative for recycling of engineering plastics. This effort applies to a wide variety of sustainable solutions that contribute toward achieving a 100% recycling rate for engineering plastics, without being confined to the existing business model of manufacturing and selling plastics. Polyplastics’ goal is

Dow, a global materials science company, has partnered with Mengniu, a dairy company in China, to launch an all-polyethylene (PE) yogurt pouch designed for recyclability. This innovation strengthens both companies’ commitment to achieving a circular economy in China. Enables Recycling of Hard-to-Recycle Packaging Leveraging the materials science expertise of Dow and the collaboration across the value

Borouge PLC, a petrochemical company that provides innovative and differentiated polyolefin solutions, and Borealis, one of the world’s biggest polyolefin manufacturers, announced the launch of two new sustainable polymer products for the automotive industry, in line with both companies’ sustainability drive. Made from up to 70% recycled materials, they are the first sustainable products developed at

BASF has published its new Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) study on the environmental impact of a mozzarella packaging using various alternative raw materials in the production of food-grade plastics. These raw materials are attributed to the plastics via a certified mass balance approach and the study compares a flexible multi-layer packaging with the same packaging based on fossil

Origin Materials, Inc. (“Origin” and “Origin Materials”), a carbon negative materials company with a mission to enable the world’s transition to sustainable materials, and Husky Technologies (“Husky”), a technology provider enabling the delivery of essential needs to the global community, announced a milestone in the commercialization of PET (polyethylene terephthalate) incorporating the sustainable chemical FDCA (furandicarboxylic acid)

New research from the lab of Giannis Mpoumpakis, associate professor of chemical and petroleum engineering at the University of Pittsburgh, focuses on optimizing a promising technology called pyrolysis, which can chemically recycle waste plastics into more valuable chemicals. It’s lightweight, low-cost, almost endlessly customizable, and concerningly ubiquitous: For all its benefits, plastic and plastic waste

3D Systems announced new materials to enhance its Stereolithography (SLA) and Figure 4® portfolios – Accura® AMX Tough FR V0 Black, Figure 4® Tough FR V0 Black, and Figure 4® JCAST-GRN 20. These new high-performance materials are enabling efficient production of end-use parts in industries such as automotive, aerospace, semiconductor, and consumer goods. Flame-retardant with UL 94V0 Rating for SLA 3D Systems is

University of Queensland researchers are working with industry to develop biodegradable ‘plastic’ bags for use in mushroom farming, which could open lucrative opportunities in packaging and manufacturing. Dr. Nasim Amiralian from UQ’s Australian Institute for Bioengineering and Nanotechnology is collaborating with Queensland producer Scenic Rim Mushrooms to reduce the company’s reliance on plastic ‘grow bags’.

The globally active ALPLA Group has been investing in building up its own recycling capacities since 2005. The plastic packaging company now operates 13 plants, including four joint ventures with regional partners, and aims to be processing at least 25 percent post-consumer material (PCR) by 2025. After investing millions in new sites in South Africa,