China's sales of plastic pipes ranked as the highest in the world, registering a growth of 15% pa. However, this sector is plagued with several issues like overcapacity, low quality, environment concerns and competition from PE pipes. Read more in Plastic pipes will continue to grow in China

After several difficult years marked by upturns in production and feedstock price increases, the global plastics additives market appears to be recovering. The major issues affecting the additives market include feedstock costs, increasing global competitiveness, emergence of China as an important market and unending environmental and regulatory issues. Read more in Global plastic additives consumption touches 10 million tons

Biodegradable polymers, where degradation results from the action of naturally occurring microorganisms such as bacteria, algae or fungi, are largely used in medical application where they undergo degradation by chemical hydrolysis. Diverse products based on lactic and glycolic acid as well as on other materials, have been accepted for use as medical devices. In addition to these approved devices, a great deal of research continues on polyanhydrides, polyorthoesters, polyphosphazenes, and other biodegradable polymers. Read more in Biodegradable polymers in medical applications

Producers of Electrical and Electronic Equipment (EEE) will now have to finance the end-of-life recycling and recovery costs of all their products in EU. This will lead to introduction of product design changes by original equipment manufacturers (OEMs), which plastics processors will have to adapt to. Read more in New EU regulation on plastic for electrical products will shift usage to the more environment friendly PP

Oil is a fossil fuel and is derived form irreplaceable source and is projected to vanish in the future. Is there any alternative to oil? Farmers, along with scientists are now developing bio refineries that will eventually produce oil from agricultural products or to be more precise agricultural wastes. Read more in When will agriculture become source of oil and its derivatives?

Wind damage from hurricanes would be significantly reduced if buildings are constructed with new materials being developed at University of Maine in USA. A structure currently designed to withstand winds of 200 Km/hour should be able to sustain winds of 270 Km/hour with this new reinforced product. Read further in Plastic reinforcement of wood can increase the resistance to hurricanes

CURV, a self reinforced PP, introduced a few years ago, deservedly obtained the product innovation award from Frost & Sullivan for its outstanding value addition. When combined with other materials, CURV can be used as an enabling material for new composites and applications. Read more in CURV can be used as an enabling material for new composites and applications