| ARTICLES |
Stretch and shrink film demand in the US is projected to increase 5.3% pa to US$4.1 bln in 2009. Price increases will be constrained by moderating raw material prices, which will recede from 2004 and 2005 levels. Film gains will be propelled by healthy expansion in the manufacturing sector and growing requirements for product packaging and protection of goods during warehousing and distribution. Read more in USA Film and Sheet market to recover in 2009 |
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The population of the traditional Middle Eastern countries as well as Algeria, Libya, and Egypt, is currently almost on par with that of the US,estimated to be growing at 3% pa or even more. The main economic issue Governments here face is to develop strategies to grow per capita GDP at a minimum of 5% keeping in view the rate of population growth and inflation growth of 1.5% pa. Read Growth in Middle Eastern petrochemical industry expected to achieve 5% GDP growth |
Silicone tubing has several characteristics that offer advantages over thermoplastic tubing, hence it has become more popular in the medical device market and is gradually replacing tubing from other polymers in surgical instrumentation to implantable drug-delivery systems. It offers biocompatibility, ease of manufacturing as well as good choice in design without sacrificing quality or durability. Read more in Silicone tubing has increased its market share due to its performance |
Brominated flame retardants offer excellent balance of performance, cost, properties and processability. But concerns abound regarding their use on the environmental front. This has has compelled the industry to follow Government regulations and directives. Consumer and OEM preferences for more environmentally friendly materials have set the industry on a path toward alternatives. Read Demand for non-halogenated flame retardant additives to grow faster on environmental issues |
PVDF offers properties like abrasion resistance, radiation stability and a lower melting point than most fluoropolymers which allows for lower processing temperatures similar to those of polyolefins. New development work to alter homopolymer PVDF with the aim of improving processing efficiency exhibit high melt strength and sag resistance during extrusion, make them excellent candidates for extrusion blow molding, thermoforming and blown film extrusion. Read in New branched polymers will open up more applications for PVDF |
A temperature-responsive polymer is a polymer which undergoes a physical change when external thermal stimuli are presented. These physical changes can be exploited for many analytical techniques, especially for separation chemistry. A new PEG based polymer has been developed that is biocompatible, ideal substrate for cell cultures, is water-soluble and non-toxic. It will be possible to mass-produce Petri dishes coated with the new property-changing polymer in a couple of years. Read in New PEG based biocompatible polymer can be used as substrate for biological cells |
An environmental friendly and benign process has been developed by scientists to produce low density foam from poly (arylene ether sulfone) (PAES). The small cell size and closed cell structure enhanced the mechanical properties of the foam when compared with the PAES foam produced from nitrogen and water. Read more in An environment friendly process to produce low density foam from poly (arylene ether sulfone)
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Polymeric fibers play a very important role in ballistic applications because of their high strength. These include PE fibers, aramid fibers, PBO fibers. There are two main methods to produce PE fibers - melt spinning and solution or gel spinning. Read more in Development of High Strength PE Fiber for ballistic applications by process modification |
PRICE TRENDS
NAPHTHA 
Naphtha prices continue to deteriorate in Asia in the week of September 14, 2009.
This movement is contrary to the rise in oil prices as naphtha prices ease in anticipation of a supply glut. Sellers are realizing lower premiums on naphtha cargoes.
ETHYLENE 
E
thylene prices have steadied at US$960/MT in Asia in the week of September 14, 2009. As the dispar ity between offers and buying intentions continues to widen, market activity has been unenthusiastic in the Far East....
PROPYLENE
Lack of downstream demand from China has impacted propylene prices in Asia , pulling them down in the week of September 14, 2009. Market outlook remains gloomy under the strain of…
Read More in Price trends of oil, polymer feedstock and commodity polymers in Asia for the week ended September 14, 2009
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