April 30, 2024Cutting Costs and Kilowatts in Plastics ManufacturingThe plastics processing industry is going through a significant transformation, driven by rising energy costs and concerns regarding future supply reliability. Read more
April 29, 2024Computational Approaches to Fast-Track Material DevelopmentThe future of material research is increasingly changing toward digitization, which promises advantages but requires significant work and adaptability. While initial trends emerge, development varies between material classes due to variations in synthesis, production, analysis, and modeling techniques. Read more
April 9, 2024Advancements in 3D Printed Hybrid Composite StructuresThe need to lower the steep costs of traditional manufacturing, involving expensive tooling and molds, makes advancing composite manufacturing a key research focus. Read more
March 26, 2024Non-Halogenated Flame Retardants in Electrical & Electronic ComponentsNon-halogenated flame-retardant developments are driving a transformative shift in the global market, challenging traditional flame retardants that often lead to toxic emissions. Read more
March 26, 2024Exploring Supercritical Foaming TechnologySupercritical foaming revolutionizes polymer science, creating lightweight, porous materials with superior properties through controlled pressure and supercritical fluids. Read more
March 22, 2024Fluoropolymers: Waste Management and Sustainable Disposal?While certain PFASs are notorious for their toxicity, persistence, and environmental mobility, Fluoropolymers emerge because of their durability, safety, water insolubility, and bio-inertia. These high-performance polymers are revolutionizing industries with their attributes. Read more
March 13, 2024Sheets vs Film: Key DistinctionsThe terms “film” and “sheet” often lead to confusion within and outside the industry, as they are sometimes used interchangeably. While both refer to thin, flat materials, they possess distinct characteristics and applications. Read more
March 7, 2024Microplastics and their Impact on Air-Sea CO2 ExchangeIn the fight against global climate change, oceans play a key role as a significant carbon reservoir. However, inadequate waste management systems for plastics have led to a widespread release of these materials into the world’s oceans. Read more
March 1, 2024Plastics Biodegradability: What Lies Beneath the LabelThe term “biodegradable” evokes images of materials effortlessly breaking down into the earth, leaving no trace. But what does it truly entail? According to the Standard Terminology Relating to Plastics ASTM D883-23, biodegradable plastic refers to degradable plastic in which the degradation results from the action of naturally occurring microorganisms such as bacteria, fungi, and algae. Read more
February 24, 2024Bio-Based Plasticizers: a Sustainable Approach to Enhance PLA PerformancePolylactic Acid (PLA) has gained popularity as a sustainable alternative to traditional fossil-based thermoplastics such as polyethylene terephthalate (PET) and polystyrene (PS). Read more