ARTICLES

  • Plastics users are demanding products that reduce environmental impact while improving performance, functionality and value. As a result, significant progress has been made in the development of biodegradable plastics, largely from renewable natural resources, with similar functionality to conventional polymers. Several leading food and beverage manufacturers have recently adopted bioplastics packaging that are degradable, compostable and have limited environmental impact. Some of the new developments include a 100% compostable coffee capsule made from thistles, a  biodegradable/compostable container for both liquid and solid oily products, carton that will be the first to have bio-based low-density polyethylene films and bio-based high-density polyethylene caps, bio-based packaging, snack packaging derived from sustainable wood pulp. Read more in Developments in bioploymers aid development of compostable food and beverage packaging

  • Current commercially produced solar panels use silicon cells to efficiently convert sunlight to energy. But polymer cells are better suited to these potential uses. Some of the developments in polymers and polymer blends underway across the globe to make solar cells lighter, more flexible, more efficient, include:
    Findings for selecting the proper pair of polymers that can help chemists design better pairs of polymers and reach even higher efficiency in the future;
    A blend of conjugated polymers resulting in structural and electronic changes that increased efficiency three-fold, by incorporating pristine graphene;
    Nano imprint lithography, a method for stamping high-resolution, nanoscale patterns over large areas to replicate nature for an affordable, broadband antireflective coating
    Read more in Polymers aid lighter, more flexible solar cells with improved efficiency
  • Medical products based on nonwovens routinely outperform textile and fluff pulp-based products with regards to comfort, barrier properties, absorbency and resistance to contamination. Non wovens consisently demonstrate reduced cost in highly cost-sensitive hospital and institutional environments. Hence nonwovens used in medical applications are growing primarily because of strong key drivers which address performance, cost and market composition. Increasing construction spending in emerging economies of China, India and Brazil is also expected to have a positive influence on the market growth. Read more in PP nonwoven fabrics account for over 60% of total market set to cross US$42 bln by 2020
  • Growth in the global plastic additives market will be driven by demand in India and China due to presence of low-cost labour and raw materials. Plasticizers is the largest revenue generating segment of this market, followed by flame retardants. Increase in environmental awareness and intervention by government to promote non-toxic additives is promoting growth. To know more about the leader globally in terms of value and volume and production and consumption, the user industries that are the key drivers, the growth regions, the laggards, factors expediting growth, growth prospects, etc, read India, China to drive growth of global plastic additives projected to grow at CAGR of 3.8% till end of decade
  • Thermoformed plastic products have lighter weight and superior strength compared with traditional packaging materials. Therefore, they are increasingly used in a variety of packaging applications which include food, electronic and healthcare packaging. Demand from the food industry has increased amid elevated sales of canned and packaged food products, resulting from changes in the lifestyle of the global population. North America dominates the market followed by countries in the EU.  Asia Pacific is expected to witness high growth rates. Read more in Thermoformed plastic products market to grow at CAGR of over 4% until end of decade