| ARTICLES |
Thermoplastic resin demand contracted by around 25% in Q4-2008 as converters destocking brought buying to a standstill. Sharp destocking continued through Q1 2009, and by mid-year volumes were down by around 15% yoy. Because much of the volume loss in Q4 2008 was destocking, resin sales are expected to be strongly up in Q4 2009 compared with last year. An overall decline in 2009 sales of around 4% is predicted. Read in Strong growth expected in Q4 2009 polymer sales in Europe |
A study demonstrated that up to 90% of the current global consumption of polymers can technically be converted from oil and gas to renewable raw materials. The role that lightweight conventional plastics played in the past, substituting durable materials like iron and steel in vast products, could soon be taken over by bio-based plastics. How fast this substitution will occur depends on a multitude of factors. Read more in Demand for bio-based plastics on the rise |
Ethylene prices could rise in H1-2010 in Asia on tighter ethylene supplies anticipated in 2010 due to a heavy turnaround schedule at steam crackers. However, a possible increase in exports from the Middle East could help ease the strain on prices. About 22 crackers would be shut for maintenance in 2010 compared with 15 taken off line this year. Price hike could get dampened by influx of material from newer capacities coming onstream in the Middle East. Read more in Heavy turnaround schedule planned at steam crackers in Asia for 2010 |
Carbon nanotubes, though minuscule, have been identified as the strongest fiber materials. Carbon nanotubes that are billionths of a meter thick are being used to stitch together aerospace materials that could make airplane skins and other products some 10 times stronger at a nominal cost increase, as well as offer greater protection to aircrafts against damage from lightning. Read details in Ten times stronger airplane skins made from carbon nanotubes at a nominal cost increase |
Manufacturers of portable consumer electronics like cell phones and PDAs are constantly under pressure to augment the number of features in their products while meeting the highly demanding energy and size requirements. Batteries and capacitors are the two devices that fit the bill for the electrical energy required for the functioning of such compact gadgets. A research team has developed a cost effective and economical method for manufacturing super capacitors which are flexible yet boasts of power density and energy density higher than the commercially available devices. Read details in Novel roll-to-roll printable thin film super capacitors may change the game for flexible electronics |
A significant innovation has been made in nerve repair material. A new hybrid fiber has been developed by weaving chitosan and polycaprolactone - a strong, flexible, biodegradable polyester commonly used in sutures; which has shown huge promise for creating tiny tubes that support repair of a severed nerve. Another team has developed a technique using spun-sugar filaments to create a scaffold of tiny synthetic tubes that might serve as conduits to regenerate damaged nerves. The sugar filaments are coated with a corn-based degradable polymer. Read more in Biodegradable polyesters blended with crab shells unveil effective nerve repair material |
Plastic photochromic lenses rely on organic photochromic molecules to achieve the reversible darkening effect. The reason these lenses darken in sunlight but not indoors under artificial light, is that room light does not contain the UV light found in sunlight. Photochromic dyes do not work well in common plastic materials, so new polymers compatible with dyes are used. Read more in Plastic has replaced glass in photochromic lens |
The most basic property in using thermoplastics has been their ability to make parts lighter and less costly, with performance benefits over conventionally used materials. A relatively new category of high-gravity compounds (HGCs) comprises thermoplastics containing 40-96% by weight of mineral filler or metal powder. The development of plastic material with specific gravity from 1.8 to as high as 15 is in conflict with inherent advantages for which plastic became very popular. To know about the properties, advantages, applications, processing parameters and producers, read Thermoplastic compound with high specific gravity has niche market |
It is more difficult to remove volatiles from HDPE compared to PET to recycle them to meet US FDA and EU standards for reuse in food bottles. Recycling HDPE homopolymer from milk and water bottles back into food-grade bottles is a new achievement. So far, two technologies have met the FDA protocol out of which one is proprietary, the other is commercially available. Read more in US FDA approved food-grade products from recycled HDPE homo polymer bottles |
HDPE tarpaulin is excellent as a protective covering repelling moisture and dust. It can be used as a protective covering in sectors like agriculture, infrastructure, automotive, construction, etc. Versatility of the tape extruder makes it capable of manufacturing other products, besides the wide fabric helps the entrepreneur in diversifying his product offering. To know about the various advantages, the manufacturing process, the growth drivers of the sector and advantages offered to entrepreneurs, read High Density Polyethylene Tarpaulins - Multiple End Use sectors |
PRICE TRENDS for week of November 23, 2009
NAPHTHA 
Naphtha prices have risen by over 25 dollars, past US$710/MT in Asia in the week of November 23, 2009. In the month of November alone , naphtha...
ETHYLENE
Ethylene prices have mounted to US$1040/MT in Asia in the week of November 23, 2009. Spot ethylene prices are at their highest level since mid-July,...
PROPYLENE
Propylene prices have spiked by about 45-50 dollars to US$1085/MT in Asia in the week of November 23, 2009 on buoyant...
Read More in Price trends of oil, polymer feedstock and commodity polymers in Asia for the week ended November 23, 2009 |
