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The lower recycling rates worldwide have demonstrated that effectively managing plastic waste needs multiple recycling technologies. The plastic waste crisis primarily stems from single-use plastics, yet two-thirds of plastics serve [...]

Researchers introduced a breakthrough in garnet-based composite solid electrolytes (CSE), solving existing challenges. This innovation offers safer, more efficient all-solid-state lithium-metal batteries (ASSBs), which could revolutionize electric vehicle technology. You [...]

In a recent interview, Jake Kelly-Walley, R&D Engineer at Matrix Polymers and PhD Researcher at Queen's University Belfast (QUB), shared insights on the challenges and innovations in the rotational molding [...]

Researchers have now developed a bioinspired double-stranded yarn to harvest water from atmospheric fog efficiently. The global water crisis is becoming more severe, particularly in arid regions with limited traditional [...]

Plastic modification involves selecting the right additives to enhance the polymers properties, such as mechanical strength, surface qualityor processability Additives play a crucial role in improving the performance and lifespan [...]

For the second year in a row, the SPE's event in Baltimore will examine the regulatory, economic, and technological impacts of PFAS on the plastics industry. PFAS and Fluoropolymers: Differentiating [...]

Natural wood, while abundant and low-cost, has limited mechanical properties for certain applications. As a result, there is growing interest in engineered wood, which offers enhanced strength and durability to [...]

Dissolution or purification is an option for recycling polymers without altering their chemical structure while ensuring energy efficiency Nevertheless, solvents may be an environmental concern. Dissolution, or purification, processes stand [...]

The rise in lightweight materials directly connects to efforts to boost fuel efficiency, cut emissions, and meet strict environmental standards. Over the past decade, automakers have significantly increased the use [...]

Xact Metal spoke to Plastics Engineering at NPE 2024 about how the company is transforming the metal additive manufacturing landscape by making it more accessible and affordable The company identified [...]

Domenic Di Mondo, President of GreenMantra Technologies, spoke to Plastics Engineering Magazine at NPE 2024 about the company's innovations. The company is transforming polyethylene and polypropylene waste into valuable synthetic [...]

Researchers from Cornell University conducted a study that produced the first-ever microplastics human uptake map across 109 major countries worldwide. They found that humans often consume microplastics (MPs) in table [...]

Formerra is a global high-performance materials distributor with a dedicated focus on sustainability and business development. The company has found a niche in sustainable packaging, materials, anc solutions. The company [...]

Denmark leads in environmental initiatives, including recycling Styrofoam (EPS). Widely used in packaging and insulation, expanded polystyrene presents significant challenges in waste management. The material's lightweight yet bulky nature makes [...]

The University of California, Berkeley, developed a new catalytic chemical process that has the potential to revolutionize plastic recycling by converting waste polyethylene (PE) and polypropylene (PP) into valuable monomers. [...]

Selecting the right polypropylene grade for your project is crucial to ensuring optimal performance. Polypropylene (PP) is one of the most versatile thermoplastics, with applications ranging from packaging and automotive [...]

In today's global market, the importance of transparency and sustainability cannot be overstated. The European Union has declared that by 2030, Digital Product Passports will be mandatory for some products [...]

Introducing SR (Self-Regulating) heating cables opens the door to innovative heating solutions that revolutionize efficiency and reliability across various industries. SR heating cables, equipped with an electro-mechanical mechanism, adjust their [...]

Reducing the excess headspace in flexible packaging allows companies to diminish the demand for virgin plastics and decrease the volume of plastic introduced into the market. Unnecessary headspace is essentially [...]

Sustainability certifications like The International Sustainability and Carbon Certification (ISCC) PLUS can enhance brand reputation and open up new markets. For companies aiming to enhance their sustainability credentials, obtaining ISCC [...]

Plastic technology not only broadens designers' creative horizons but also brings innovative approaches to manufacturing, sustainability, and user experience. Designers with a grasp of plastic technology can transform industrial design, [...]

The rapid proliferation of 3D printing technologies across various sectors has heralded a new era of manufacturing efficiency and innovation. However, plastic waste generation necessitates urgent and effective recycling strategies. [...]

The increasing concerns regarding the environmental and health impacts of Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS) in Aqueous Film-Forming Foam (AFFF) have led to a wave of state-level legislation across the [...]

The pilot-scale fluoropolymer incineration study conducted by the Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT) represents a significant stride in understanding the environmental impact of fluoropolymer disposal. Fluoropolymers' End-of-Life Fluoropolymers, high-performance plastics [...]

The expansion of the packaging industry is driven by the demand for durable, economical, lightweight, and visually appealing packaging solutions. The inclusion of additives plays a crucial role in augmenting [...]

Fluoropolymers, particularly Polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE), are indispensable in modern industries due to their unique properties, such as exceptional chemical resistance and thermal stability. These materials are widely used in various sectors, [...]

Durable plastics are integral in vehicles, buildings, electronics, and medical devices. These materials offer exceptional performance, longevity, and design flexibility, making them indispensable in various industries. However, the durability that [...]

The Total Recycle MRF in Pennsylvania led a groundbreaking project that effectively sorted and repurposed flexible plastic packaging (FPP) into marketable materials. By utilizing advanced optical sorting technology, the project [...]

Fluoropolymers enhance various applications across multiple industries, including aerospace, automotive, electronics, packaging, and medical. Fluoropolymers are fluorine-based polymers used in various industries. Fluorine gives these polymers unique characteristics, with the [...]

Pulp Injection Molding (PIM) enables manufacturers to produce unique and intricate geometries typically reserved for plastics but using paper. This innovation provides new options for brand owners, enhancing sustainability and [...]

The study revealed that only the biodegradable-compostable packaging fully decomposed. Oxo-biodegradables showed minimal degradation. Plastics are widely used for their strength, resistance, and flexibility. However, their end-of-life decomposition presents significant [...]

The Composting Consortium conducted the most extensive in-field study on compostable packaging in North America. It showed that compostable packaging disintegrates effectively under reasonable operating conditions. The Composting Consortium recently [...]

To increase the amount of recycled content in plastic products, quality assurance of recyclates must improve. Some manufacturers attempt to characterize the PCR in-house, and DSC tools will be crucial. [...]

MXene hydrogels are emerging as innovative materials with promising applications across various industries, including conductive plastic materials and packaging. MXenes are two-dimensional (2D) transition metal carbides, nitrides, or carbonitrides with [...]

Kaffeeform, a Berlin-based company, revolutionizes coffee packaging by transforming used coffee grounds into eco-friendly products, promoting sustainability and waste management. Kaffeeform, an innovative company based in Berlin, is set to [...]

Thermoplastic elastomers (TPEs) are unique materials that combine the elastic properties of rubber with processability. These polymers exhibit elastic behavior due to thermo-reversible cross-links and phase separation. They can be [...]

Researchers have developed a breakthrough technique to improve the durability of polyvinyl chloride (PVC), one of the most widely used plastics. Researchers have developed an innovative method that enhances the [...]

The demand for sustainable low-carbon materials is rising, driven by the global push toward decarbonization and the increasing focus on reducing carbon emissions. As global decarbonization efforts intensify, the demand [...]

Researchers have developed Covalent Adaptable Networks (CANs) for Carbon Nanotube reinforcement. These networks feature chemically reversible crosslinks, making them an option for producing recyclable thermosets. Researchers demonstrated how covalent adaptable [...]

Researchers at the U.S. Department of Energy's National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) have pioneered an innovative solution for sustainable wind energy. Researchers at the U.S. Department of Energy's National Renewable [...]

Seawool is produced by grinding oyster shells into nanobeads combined with recycled polyester. This process upcycles the waste material, sparking a fabric revolution in sustainable textiles. Eddie Wang, a native [...]

Researchers from the University of Sussex have developed a revolutionary bioelectronic skin (e--skin) that promises to reshape the future of health monitoring. The device uses silver nanowire (AgNW) nanocomposites inspired [...]

Flash is a common defect in injection molding that can be effectively resolved once its root causes are identified. Below are the primary causes along with their potential solutions. In [...]

Researchers at James Cook University have developed a groundbreaking method to convert microplastics into graphene Microplastic pollution is an escalating environmental threat, contaminating ecosystems and entering the food chain due [...]

How new technologies are shaping mass production? Emerging technologies, such as 3D printing, reverse engineering, and 3D scanning, have revolutionized product design and development. Plastics Engineering interviewed Eric Larson, CEO [...]

Marked by an urgent need for sustainable solutions, the quest for environmentally friendly materials has never been more critical. Enter Polylactic Acid (PLA), a biodegradable and compostable alternative to conventional [...]

Siloxanes, a group of silicon-based compounds known for their versatility and resilience, are integral to enhancing the performance of plastics. However, their potential health risks have sparked a debate in [...]

The petrochemical industry, a vital yet often underappreciated player in the global energy landscape, is undergoing transformative changes. This sector is now the fastest-growing demand driver for global energy. The [...]

The Consumer Goods Forum (CGF) has introduced Golden Design Rules to boost the recycling value of PET thermoformed trays and other PET thermoformed packaging. These guidelines are tailored to integrate [...]

As scientists, we must look for the truth, but sometimes this truth can be interpreted differently depending on how our investigation scope was developed. I think this is the case [...]