The demand for high-performance plastic foams is expanding all across a broad spectrum of market sectors, mainly because these materials offer the light weight and cushioning properties of conventional foams, along with various combinations of special features. Read more in High performance foams have special markets in niche applications

Dyneema® is a superstrong polyethylene fiber that offers maximum strength combined with minimum weight. The applications are unlimited- Dyneema® is an important component in ropes, cables and nets in the fishing, shipping and offshore industries. It is also used in safety gloves for the metalworking industry, in fine yarns for applications in sporting goods and the medical sector, in bullet resistant armor and clothing for police and military personnel. Read more in Increasing markets and applications for high performance PE fiber

Plastic packaging demand growth for pharmaceutical products in USA is higher compared to the GDP growth. This growth can be essentially attributed to newer types of products both in bulk drug category as well as in the formulations, an increase in the acquisitions of existing companies by new entrants, along with a rise in the ageing population. Read more in New drugs and formulations will drive demand of plastics in pharma packaging

Nano fillers provide an excellent opportunity in plastics as usage of very small dosages- about 1-5% leads to improvement in properties. However nano fillers adversely affect the flow behavior of polymers and have poor dispersibility. To know how dispersibility of nano fillers has improved, read Improved dispersion of nano fillers by use of supercritical carbon dioxide

A newly developed packaging film with a newly patented vapour corrosion inhibitor system protects metal components for 15 years of storage before their use. Read further in Long term protection technology of metal components with corrosion inhibitor system

Nanomaterials, nanotechnology, nanocomposites are today's buzzwords in the scientific & business world. The basics of nanomaterials, nanotechnology & their relevance to polymers, chemicals & minerals, which are used as additives & modifiers for developing high performance & value-added nanocomposites have been covered. Read Nanomaterials, nanotechnology and their relevance to polymers