June 5, 2024Roadway Pavements as Energy SourcesInnovative Roadway Pavements can fulfill multiple functions, including pavement condition monitoring, snow-melting, urban heat island effect (UHI) reduction, and self-healing. Read more
June 3, 2024Reduce Thermoforming Mold Production Time & Costs With 3D PrintingIn this webinar, titled “Revolutionizing Thermoforming: Unleashing Efficiency to Drastically Reduce Mold Production Time & Costs“, you will learn how to achieve rapid validation by testing shapes and delivering first parts up to 65% faster with 3D printed molds. Read more
May 29, 2024Sustainability Management Strategies – Set up a Sustainability Management ProgramSustainability management is a continuing process that must become an integral part of the business operations. Sustainability management is not a single act but a process. Read more
May 21, 2024The Impact of Plasticizers on Linear PolymersRecent studies have delved into the profound effects of plasticizers on the crystallization behavior of linear polymers, shedding light on their impact on nucleation, growth, and melting processes. Read more
April 22, 2024Seaweed an Eco-alternative to Single-use Plastics PackagingBrands and package designers are developing seaweed-based packaging as an alternative to single-use plastics. Companies such as PlantSea Ltd., Notpla Ltd., Sway Innovation and Loliware Inc. are all active in the space. Read more
April 16, 2024Energy Management Systems – The Gas BillMost plastics processing sites use gas simply for space heating but some processes use gas as part of the process, e.g., rotational molding. Where gas is used for hot water only then this is generally relatively constant over the year. For space heating, the gas use load will be related to the weather conditions (how cold it is) and the weather is then a ‘condition’ driver for gas use. Read more
April 15, 2024The Hidden Power of Taggant Technologies in PlasticsEmployed by myriad sectors ranging from fast-moving consumer goods (FMCG) and retail packaging to pharmaceuticals, construction, and even government identification initiatives, these technologies have played a pivotal role. Taggants imbue plastic products with an additional layer of security and authentication, presenting a formidable challenge to counterfeiters who attempt to replicate or alter these items. Read more
April 12, 2024Plastics in Industrial Design: A Catalyst for ChangePlastic technology not only broadens designers’ creative horizons but also brings innovative approaches to manufacturing, sustainability, and user experience. Designers with a grasp of plastic technology can transform industrial design, creating groundbreaking products that meet manufacturing demands and environmental standards. Read more
April 10, 2024Sustainability in Plastic Part Design: The Indispensable Fifth DimensionSustainability has become an indispensable fifth dimension in design, essential from the very start of the process. Moreover, it stands unique in each project like a snowflake, highlighting its custom and distinct approach. Read more
March 14, 2024Energy Management Systems – Assessing PerformanceIn most plastics processing electricity is the main energy source. Electricity use is not, as is sometimes thought, fixed and uncontrollable, it is variable and controllable. For most sites, the electricity use will be directly related to the production volume in a given time period. 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 15, 2024Harnessing Hemp for Automotive CompositesComposite materials with natural fibers are presented as alternative and sustainable solutions for manufacturing finishes in fully recyclable vehicles. The French company “Automotive Performance Materials” has sought to leverage the country’s high hemp production to produce these composites. Read more