Contact
Headlines from the K 2013 Show
Here’s just a taste of the innovations on display, a selection of the top headlines not covered in our September show preview.
Read MoreMaterials at K 2013
WEB EXCLUSIVE: Dow debuts breakthrough compatibilizer. Solvay, Borealis unveil unique materials.
Read More
Decorating at K 2013
WEB EXCLUSIVE: Kurz debuts two systems, including a patented finishing process that decorates 3D geometries.
Read MoreNylon 6/6 Producer Aims to Pass On Lower Costs to Processors
Houston-based Ascend Performance Materials expects to share the benefits of its cost–advantaged position as the only completely fully integrated nylon 6/6 producer in the world that uses the propane dehydrogenation (PDH) method—or, C3-based technology, to make the key intermediate ADN (adiponitrile) compared to the more widely used C4 butadiene-based approach. The company expects the shale gas revolution currently taking place in North America to result in a much more favorable future for polymer-grade propylene compared to butadiene which is likely to be short in supply and higher priced.
Read MoreNIOSH Industry Collaboration Aimed At "Safe" Nanomaterials
NIOSH Industry Collaboration Program Aimed At ‘Safe’ Nanotechnology The Nanotechnology Research Center of the National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH), Cincinnati, Ohio--a non-regulatory federal agency charged with conducting research and making recommendations for preventing work-related injuries, illnesses and deaths-- coordinates a program of laboratory and field investigation.
Read More
PE, PS Prices Higher But Steady
But indications for the remainder of the year are for flat to slightly lower pricing for all four commodity resins
Read More
Natural Gas Boom: What Will It Mean for Plastics Processors?
Plentiful shale gas promises to keep domestic polyolefin production costs among the lowest in the world. Whether (and when) you will see savings is debatable.
Read MoreConverter of Polyolefin Nonwoven Product 'Goes' 100% Bio-Based
Here’s an unusual product just commercially launched by Fitesa, Simpsonville, S.C., a leading company in the design and manufacture of nonwoven fabrics for the global hygiene and personal-care markets: it’s a new performance nonwoven that is composed of two-biobased polymers in a sheath-core, bicomponent configuration. The sheath is made of 100% I’m green PE from Braskem (U.S. office in Philadelphia, Pa.) while the core uses 100% biobased Ingeo PLA from NatureWorks, Minnetonka, Minn.
Read MoreLikely Impact of McDonald's Phase Out of PS Hot Beverage Cups
How will the recent decision by McDonald’s to use paper cups after a successful large-scale test and eliminate millions of polystyrene hot beverage cups in the U.S. affect PS prices? Mark Kallman, director of client services for PS, PVC and engineering resins at purchasing consultants Resin Technology, Inc. (resinpros.com) ventures that this move will definitely impact PS demand in the long run, which could result in lower prices for processors.
Read More
Prices Flat or Slightly Lower
Prices of PE, PP, PS, and PVC remained steady through last month, although price initiatives were on the table for all but PP.
Read MorePE Prices Moving Up
Polyethylene prices are moving up this month as suppliers are aiming to implement their Sept. 1 increases of 5¢/lb.
Read More
