ARTICLES

  • Stabilizers used in polymers are used directly or by combinations to prevent various effects such as oxidation, chain scission and uncontrolled recombinations and cross-linkingreactions that are caused by photo-oxidation of polymers. Polymers are considered to get weathered due to the direct or indirect impact of heat and ultraviolet light. Stabilizers ensure safe processing and prevent premature ageing and weathering. Polyvinyl chloride has to be treated with stabilizers.To know about the various stabilizers used, the growth sectors, factors affecting demand in different regions, read Global market for stabilizers to increase to US$5.3 bln in 2021
  • By modifying the material or adjusting the way catheters are manufactured, it is possible to tailor catheters for cardiovascular, urological, gastrointestinal, neurovascular and ophthalmic applications. The call for minimally invasive surgical techniques involve small incisions that are a conduit through which instruments and devices can be inserted to treat or clean diseased/blocked passages or vessels, or deliver medications. Design challenges require catheters to be fairly stiff at one end and sufficiently flexible at the other. Catheters require enhanced performance properties to reach deeper inside the body. At the same time, device manufacturers are aggressively pursuing cost reductions associated with these devices. This has lead to several new material and compound developments. Read in Specialty solutions for manufacturers of catheters in healthcare industry
  • Numerous attempts being made to imitate the mechanical properties of natural joints technically over the past 20 years seems to have met with some success with a new development. Using simulations, scientists have developed a new process that technologically imitates biological lubrication and even improves it using two different types of polymers. When stem cells are used to regenerate bone tissue, many wind up migrating away from the repair site, which disrupts the healing process. But, a technique employed by a research team keeps the stem cells in place, resulting in faster and better tissue regeneration. The key is encasing the stem cells in polymers that attract water and disappear when their work is done. Read more in Polymer developments offer solutions to bio medical sector
  • Environmental pressures, government regulations and long term oil supply issues are leading to the development of renewable bio-based polymers like PolyLactic Acid. PLA´s greatest challenge has been withstanding higher temperatures. Unmodified PLA can experience difficulty maintaining dimensional stability in higher temperatures. Under development is a PLA compound for both heat resistant and GMO-free applications that can run on existing processing equipment. Another project has set out to develop a sustainable packaging material with an economical production process that will use the excellent barrier properties of whey protein against oxygen and humidity so as to replace the conventional polymer layers in packaging with a natural product. Read more in Developments in bioplastics aid packaging, automotive sector
  • The high demand across industries such as bottles, films and food packaging will increase the overall PET resin consumption. The key drivers of PET resin industry are population growth, rise in disposable income, urbanization in developing economies, growing fast moving consumer goods, and restraint such as being a capital and technology intensive industry. The key drivers of PBT resin market, such as the trend of metal being replaced by engineering plastics, growth in E&E applications, growth of emerging economies; and restraints, such as reducing halogen content in flame-retardant PBT and replacement by bio-based PBT. Read more in PET and PBT resins market to grow at a robust rate of 7.3% from 2014 to 2019
  • The ever-increasing demand for sophisticated fabrics with special features and exceptional comfort drives the need for the use of nanotechnology in the textile industry. More companies are utilizing nano additives to enhance the surface characteristics of clothes. By weaving carbon nanotubes into clothing, a research team may have figured out a simple way to deconstruct nerve gases like sarin, in moments. Another team is working on a development that could enable to carry enough juice to power an MP3 player, smart phone and electric car in the fabric of a jacket. Read more in Carbon nanotube clothing could protect against chemical weapons, transmit and store electricity