November 28, 2023How does the PFAS ban affect the plastics industry?Companies that produce Fluoropolymers may try to switch to PFAS-free solutions or ask for an exemption, which could be temporary. Read more
November 28, 2023Berry’s New PE Cling Film Targets PVC Food PackagingBerry Global Inc. says it has developed a new version of polyethylene cling film that can serve as a high-performance –– and certified recyclable –– alternative to PVC cling film for fresh food applications. Read more
November 27, 2023AI-powered Sorting Project Boosts Polypropylene RecyclingA coalition of European companies has combined artificial intelligence (AI) and computer vision with an efficient decontamination process to boost the recyclability of post-consumer polypropylene food packaging. Read more
November 20, 2023Nissin Foods Drops Polystyrene for its Iconic Ramen Noodles CupNissin Foods USA soon plans to dump the iconic expanded polystyrene foam cup it has been using for its on-the-go ramen noodles for a half-century and replace it with a new, microwaveable paper cup design that will no longer require boiling water. The company also will spend $228m to open a new U.S. plant in South Carolina. Read more
November 20, 2023Why Fluoropolymers are Considered PFASThe use of “forever chemicals” in the European Union would be largely banned under a proposal issued by the European Chemicals Agency. At the same time, more US states continue to ban PFAS-containing products without a clear roadmap for the… Read more
November 14, 2023The Fashion Industry Needs an Alternative to Recycled PETThe fashion industry is disrupting the PET circular economy by taking it into an application that recycles less than 1% of its products. Read more
November 13, 2023Patagonia Parka Uses Expanded Polyethylene and Coastal Waste PlasticsOutdoor apparel company Patagonia Inc. has partnered with two materials firms to produce one of its warmest parkas yet –– the StormShadow –– using high-performance textiles made from recycled coastal and marine plastic. Patagonia leveraged W.L. Gore & Associates’ development of expanded polyethylene (ePE) and married it with efforts by New York-based materials engineering company Bionic, which repurposes ocean-bound waste plastics in Costa Rica. Read more
November 10, 2023Scientists Using AI to Accelerate Materials DiscoveryNational Renewable Energy Laboratory scientists have used artificial intelligence (AI) to develop a tool to help users find the most sustainable polymers for specific applications. The tool, called PolyID, predicts material properties based on molecular structure. Read more
November 7, 2023Tosaf Introduces New Line of PFAS-free Processing AidsFacing pressure to eliminate PFAS chemicals from fluoropolymers, plastic additive makers such as Tosaf are launching alternative, PFAS-free processing aids. Read more
November 6, 2023Single-Use Plastics Ban in British ColumbiaIn British Columbia, a new law will prohibit single-use plastics starting December 20, 2023. This bill seeks to curtail the production of packaging that contributes to nearly half of the province’s annual plastic pollution, signifying strides towards a sustainable, circular economy. Read more