February 28, 2024Additives for PE-Nylon Film Recycling CompatibilityThe Association of Plastic Recyclers (APR) has established guidelines and certification programs aimed at assisting producers in making their PE film recycling-compatible. Read more
February 27, 2024What is Ecomodulation? Boosting Extended Producer ResponsibilityEcomodulation is a policy approach aimed at encouraging ecodesign and reducing the environmental impact of products throughout their lifecycle. Modulating fees or taxes based on a product’s environmental footprint incentivizes manufacturers to adopt greener practices. This concept is increasingly relevant as societies strive to tackle climate change and reduce waste. Read more
February 27, 2024PLA: Sustainable Future?Marked by an urgent need for sustainable solutions, the quest for environmentally friendly materials has never been more critical. Enter Polylactic Acid (PLA), a biodegradable and compostable alternative to conventional plastics, heralded for its potential to revolutionize our approach to materials and waste. Read more
February 26, 202432nd IKV Colloquium, The Five Cutting-Edge TopicsIKV has consistently pushed the boundaries of knowledge, fostered interdisciplinary collaboration, and driven progress in the dynamic field of plastics. 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
February 22, 2024The Urgent Push for Recycling System Improvements in the USIn the face of escalating environmental concerns, the efficacy of recycling systems has never been more critical. The Recycling Partnership reveals a comprehensive document “The State of Recycling: The Present and Future of Residential Recycling in the U.S. 2024” which shows some insights from the US recycling system, underscoring the necessity for a holistic approach. Read more
February 17, 2024Can Chemical Recycling Transform Plastic Waste Management?The Consultant Sphera was commissioned by the Consumer Goods Forum (CGF) to conduct a Life-Cycle Analysis on pyrolysis and related chemical recycling technologies. The analysis will be conducted on pyrolysis and related chemical recycling technologies of post-consumer mixed plastic waste to evaluate the potential environmental impacts regarding climate change and fossil resource use of circular food-grade plastics-to-plastics systems compared to fossil-based ones. Read more
February 16, 2024Proprietary Taggant Systems: Empowering Plastics SecurityProprietary taggant systems empower plastics security by serving as authentication tools, integrating seamlessly into any resin. Read more
February 10, 2024Do Plastic Bottles Release Microplastics?Microplastics, particles measuring less than 5 mm in length, have emerged as a pressing environmental concern, necessitating a detailed examination of their impact and ecological repercussions, but do microplastics in bottled water come from plastic bottles themselves? Read more
February 8, 2024New EU Regulation: What You Need to Know about Food ContactNew regulations for food contact materials are getting stricter, especially for food-grade rPET. In the case of functional barriers from recycled material without prior decontamination, they could be affected and probably discontinued. Read more
February 6, 2024The Technology Behind Food-Grade rPETAdvanced machinery that can effectively decontaminate post-consumer plastics is the key to producing rPET with exceptionally high purity. This quality is essential for FDA-approved food-grade packaging. Read more
February 2, 2024Are Microplastics Toxic?Research indicates that microplastics induce physiological and behavioral changes in aquatic organisms, impacting reproductive capabilities and overall fitness. Furthermore, microplastics serve as carriers for toxic chemicals, posing additional threats as they traverse through the food web. Read more