Building & Construction

The National Week of Flame Retardants 2024, hosted by the Society of Plastics Engineers (SPE), marked the ongoing advancement of fire safety technologies and materials engineering. Gathering industry experts, researchers, and practitioners, the event showcased the latest innovations, research findings, and trends in flame retardants.

Non-halogenated flame-retardant developments are driving a transformative shift in the global market, challenging traditional flame retardants that often lead to toxic emissions.

Supercritical foaming revolutionizes polymer science, creating lightweight, porous materials with superior properties through controlled pressure and supercritical fluids.

In the turbulence, the future of the plastics industry emerges as a focal point. With forecasts depicting a landscape characterized by both challenges and opportunities. In a world inundated with crisis reports and the relentless hustle of daily life, it’s imperative now more than ever to hit the pause button and reassess our perspectives.

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.

PyroSpar, a derivative of the mineral anorthosite, is emerging as a novel element in the non-halogenated flame retardant’s domain. As industries shift toward eco-friendly alternatives, its distinctive attributes propose a novel approach to augmenting fire resistance, emphasizing sustainability.

With the growing demand for environmentally friendly activities and considering that 37% of global greenhouse gas emissions are currently generated by the construction sector, the implementation of sustainable construction has become a necessity.

In the extensive world of materials science and industrial processes, selecting the right rheometer for our specific applications often feels like navigating a complex puzzle. Each piece must fit precisely to unlock the full potential of material characterization,  R&D, and process optimization.

Robotic rotational molding is an advanced technology that enables the development of unique geometries, tight tolerances to achieve part-to-part repeatability, and less waste than conventional plastic molding.

The global market for Intumescent Fire Retardant (IFR) coatings was valued at $1.19 billion in 2023, and according to Grand View Research, a Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of 5.3% is projected from 2024 to 2030.

The worldwide market for flame retardants has the potential to grow significantly in the constantly evolving field of fire safety, with projected expansion persisting into the near future.

Carbon-fibre reinforced compounds play a pivotal role in demanding applications like automotive, aviation, and renewable energy due to their blend of rigidity, mechanical strength, and lightness. However, recycling these compounds, especially in wind turbines, has been a persistent challenge. As part of the Wind Turbine Materials Recycling Challenge by the US Department of Energy, scientists are spearheading innovative solutions, with a particular focus on chemical recycling.