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
January 31, 2024Perstorp’s New PVC Plasticizer Based on Renewable Carbon ContentPerstorp Group today introduced a more sustainable, phthalate-free grade of PVC plasticizer called Pevalen Pro 100 that features 100 percent renewable carbon content based on mass balance. Read more
January 17, 2024Packaging Reuse Models, Ready to Reduce Plastic Waste?Experts recognize reusability models in packaging as a solution to minimize waste. McKinsey & Company’s use-case scenarios indicate that there are still challenges to resolve before realizing and scaling up the benefits. Read more
January 13, 2024First Additive Manufacturing Certification by Stratasys and NOCTIStratasys partners with the National Occupational Competency Testing Institute (NOCTI) to introduce a High-Standard FDM Process Certification. The global 3D printing market in terms of revenue was estimated at USD 15 billion in 2023 and is expected to reach USD 34.5 billion by 2028 with a CAGR of 18.1%. This makes it an appealing market for young professionals, although certifications may be necessary. Read more