ARTICLES

  • The global polypropylene (PP) market has been under a lot of pressure lately from scarce propylene feedstock and slack demand. However, growth in demand continues. Polypropylene is used in a variety of sectors such as packaging, household appliances, automotive, construction, electrical, textile, agriculture and medical. Packaging, particularly food packaging, is the largest sector by demand. Emerging economies like China, India and Brazil offer a huge opportunity of growth for PP, amid strengthening major end-use sectors. Read more in Considerable demand increases in global Polypropylene market, expected to grow at a healthy rate to 2020
  • A study forecasts dynamic development of the global demand for propylene, driven by massive capacity expansions for propylene and downstream products in the Middle East and China. To know about the factors that determine supply and demand, the region that will dominate the market, factors that will drive demand, the leading propylene consumers worldwide, important buyers of propylene, leading applications, etc, read Dynamic development of global propylene demand to over 20 million tons by 2017
  • Short-term growth trends are in play across China's domestic petrochemical industry as it ramps up capacity in an increasingly volatile export environment. In 2012, petrochemicals demand growth in China underperformed the expansion of the wider economy. This can be mainly attributed to the effects of the economic stimulus package of 2008-2010 which led to a surge in production and buying beyond what could be sustained in the medium term, leading to massive inventories, and the decline in industrial activity resulting from a slowdown in export trade. Read more in Petrochemical capacity to expand in China in 2013
  • Until now, Japan's investments in developing its onshore wind power projects have been dismal since 2008 due to complicated construction guidelines and grid connection issues. The shutdown of Japan's nuclear reactors in the aftermath of the earthquake and tsunami has changed the perspectives towards renewable energy technologies. The compelling need for energy self sufficiency and energy security has driven Japan to tap its offshore wind potential despite high costs and challenges in connecting to the power grid. Read more in Wind energy market set to boom in Japan as doubts over nuclear power remains
  • Fragrances and deodorants for plastics are used in a variety of applications and are playing a growing role in marketing food and beverage packaging and in consumer and household products. Fragrances are now increasingly being embedded in consumer goods such as laundry baskets, storage containers, and sink stoppers to impart scent into the environment. A unique technology allows long-lasting fragrances to be manufactured into a variety of plastics and other polymer-based materials. Read more in New method to give long-lasting fragrance to plastics and polymer-based materials
  • A new development by a research team consists of a scheme where a gradient in humidity would cause the polymer to cyclically roll up, flip over and roll in the other direction, and harness the energy. Because water vapor is extremely common with limited demands of the material, this new polymer film could be used to power devices such as temperature and humidity sensors, which often need to be left in large numbers over a wide area, making replacing batteries a hassle. This material could ultimately be scaled up to the point of being able to control the movement of robotic limbs with only a small amount of water. Read more in Polymer film can generate electricity by harnessing the power of water vapour
  • The global wind energy industry is continuing to expand with the industry ebbing and flowing as global governments decide policy on supporting renewable power and then reconsider the economics, causing delays in financing major projects. Though caught in the financial tide, the industry is growing with offshore and new countries coming into the marketplace. To know about developments in design, materials, recycling, read Global wind energy industry continues to expand amid changing government policies causing financing delays