At the dawn of 21st century, the compression molding industry was nearing slump, but since then, it has seen a revival. Recent developments have resulted in improved quality, high perform consistency, rapid cycles and a curtailment in cost at a higher output- sketching an upward curve for compression molding. Read in Economic factors revive compression molding on the pains and gains of compression molding with the recent advancements.
Every finished product maker is trying to differentiate his products to get an edge in the market place: global competition is getting fiercer and additives offer a way to enhance products at a reasonable cost. Polyolefin additives range from chemical stabilisers to surface active agents such as adhesion promoters and anti-block agents. AMI estimates that the market for chemical stabilisers will grow by 5% pa to 2010, with an increase in volume share in Asia for all types of additives in the same period.
New developments in polyolefins were discussed at a conference. Read more in New developments in polyolefin additives
Business which includes high value added products with high value addition processes including post operations such as printing, fetch higher returns for entrepreneurs, ensuring higher net profitability. One such product which has a high potential as well as high growth is Flexible Packaging Laminates. Existing processors of multilayer PE films can produce multifarious products such as 3 layer PE films for flexible packaging laminates, mulch films, garbage bags, stretch and cling films etc., on the same 3 layer film extruder, making the extruder a versatile machine. Read in Polyethylene Flexible Packaging Laminates–A High Growth Sector
The use of carbon nanotubes and nanofibers to enhance certain properties of polymers has lately found a number of takers and applications. Amongst the wide array of applications for CNT enhanced plastics include automotive components, electronics, sports & leisure, packaging. The unique electrical, mechanical and thermal properties of CNTs when incorporated in masterbatches, additives and compounds for thermoplastics result in polymers having high conductivity and high strength. Read in New masterbatches of carbon nanotubes provide benefits of strength and electrical conductivity at low levels
Shape Memory Polymers (SMPs) have generated a lot of interest in biomedicine applications due to their exceptional mechanical properties and programmability. Slight modifications in SMP chemistry enables these smart polymers to be used in drug delivery, spinal surgery, probing brain cells, fighting or sustaining biofilm formations and the like. These intelligent polymers also have scope to extend in automotive, aviation and other industries. To know more on SMPs, their areas of research along with their existing and potential applications. Read Shape Memory Polymers in biomedical applications and beyond
In light of mounting crude prices, advancements in bio-composites and biopolymers market are likely to be embraced. This scenario is likely to encourage development of more renewable, sustainable polymers based on corn ethanol, soyabean oil, E. Coli bacteria, glycerine, sugarcane ethanol, etc. Read High oil price will accelerate development of biopolymers and composites
