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 23, 2024The Impact of Pigments on Plastic Dimensional StabilityDimensional stability from injected parts can be affected by several factors like cycle conditions, polymer crystallinity, and the masterbatch’s colorant or additives. Read more
February 23, 2024Next-Gen Rotomolding: Robotics Enhancing InnovationRobotic 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. 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 21, 2024Sustainability Management Strategies – Map Actions on MaterialityThe materiality of an issue is another way of asking ‘how relevant and important is it?’. This is considered from two perspectives, those of the broader stakeholders (internal and external) and those of the company itself. Read more
February 21, 2024Agro-Waste to Biopolymers: Upcycling with Bio-AdditivesHave you considered the potential of transforming household fruit and vegetable waste into 3D printing filaments? The BARBARA project has successfully developed biopolymers, enhanced with bio-additives derived from food waste, for the additive manufacturing of components. Read more
February 20, 2024Advancements in LDPE Synthesis and RecyclingScientists at Universität Bayreuth, Germany, pioneered a low-pressure and low-temperature synthesis process to mimic LDPE’s chemical structure while enhancing its recyclability. Employing coordinative chain transfer polymerization (CCTP), they synthesized two macromonomers closely resembling commercial LDPE under mild conditions (2 bar and 70°C). 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 16, 2024Recycled ABS Contributes to a More Sustainable ShowerHansgrohe and Phoenix Design have partnered to enable recycled ABS and upcycled PET to contribute to a more sustainable hand-held shower. The effort earned them a prestigious German eco-design award. Read more
February 15, 2024Direct Compounding Injection Molding: Cost-Efficient ExpertiseTailored compounding for serial production and directly pelletized to the injection molding machine. Shortened supply chain (10 to 3 steps) from compounding to injection, achieving up to €1.0/kg in energy and cost savings. It accomplishes high requirements with tailored compound formulation in-house. Read more