Education & Training

The terms “film” and “sheet” often lead to confusion within and outside the industry, as they are sometimes used interchangeably. While both refer to thin, flat materials, they possess distinct characteristics and applications.

The case study from Citrine on the AI-driven development of additives for the carbon fiber manufacturing process outperformed conventional approaches by 4x in its ability to pinpoint viable candidates. This illustrates the transformative impact AI and machine learning (ML) have on materials science.

The innovative scholarship from the SPE Foundation and Brightmark meets students’ prolonged interest in plastics sustainability and circularity while addressing the workforce shortage by supporting students seeking careers in the field.

In the face of growing environmental concerns, the plastics industry faces a unique challenge: How to communicate effectively about plastic use and recycling? The “How to Talk About Plastics” guide from the University of Sheffield offers valuable insights into using language effectively to reduce plastic pollution and encourage pro-environmental behavior.

The term “biodegradable” evokes images of materials effortlessly breaking down into the earth, leaving no trace. But what does it truly entail? According to the Standard Terminology Relating to Plastics ASTM D883-23, biodegradable plastic refers to degradable plastic in which the degradation results from the action of naturally occurring microorganisms such as bacteria, fungi, and algae.

IKV has consistently pushed the boundaries of knowledge, fostered interdisciplinary collaboration, and driven progress in the dynamic field of plastics.

A groundbreaking screwless plasticating extruder is paving the way for single pellet extrusion in polymer processing. Drawing inspiration from the innovative gerotor gear pump, this novel design features a rotor with multiple lobes situated within an eccentric cavity.

The Consumer Goods Forum (CGF) has established 9 Golden Design rules to tackle plastic pollution. Rule #1 is to increase the value of PET recycling by embracing transparency and simplicity.

Optimizing manufacturing processes is paramount. This article delves into an innovative solution implemented at a compounding factory, where Programmable Logic Controller (PLC) tags seamlessly became cloud-based assets within Amazon Web Services (AWS).

The diagnosis and monitoring of extrusion processes have historically relied on rule-based algorithms. While effective for many years, this conventional approach faces inherent limitations. These limitations include a restricted number of controllable parameters, vulnerability to irrelevant outliers, and heightened complexity in systems with extensive degrees of freedom.

Many sites simply get the energy bill from the supplier and pay this some days later by direct transfer from their bank. The bill is not examined for accuracy or for potential areas to reduce costs and sometimes the production people don’t even see a copy of the bill – even though they are responsible for using most of the energy.

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.