Plasticizers are almost 30% of weight of product, and are added to PVC to make it flexible and durable. Phthalates are the mainstay plasticizers. Unfortunately, they migrate to the surface of the plastic over time and escape into the environment, making PVC less flexible and durable. In addition, people who come into contact with phthalates face possible health risks. Public outcry has resulted in partial or total ban on use of some phthalates, leading to replacement by alternative materials like bio based plasticisers, phthalate free plasticisers, phthalate plasticizers that permanently bound within any PVC part with zero migration, plasticizers based on normal alkyd pyrrolidone. Read in Advances in PVC plasticiser technology

2008 saw stagnant growth of plastics machinery sector in Europe due to the global economic meltdown. Exports remained at the same level at about 50% of the total sales in 2008, bailing out the industry to great extent. Very feeble demand was seen in 2009 in the domestic markets in Europe as well as in the export markets, particularly with the weakening of the automotive and building/construction sector. Demand is expected to recoverthis year. Read more in Signs of recovery in European plastic machinery sector in 2010

While patient safety is supreme and environmental concerns continue to mount, cost is still an issue. To restrict costs, device manufacturers are developing light-weight products with improved designs and increased use of commodity materials. Cost constraints and increasingly mounting environmental concerns will lead to newer developments. Read in Cost and environment are two major factors affecting medical products

Injection Molders are on a constant quest to reduce cycle time that results in savings of time and money. As a rule of thumb; injection molding cycle times comprise 5% injection, 80% cooling, and 15% ejection. Normally, cooling time is the only phase of the injection molding cycle where cycle time can be reduced. The reduction in cooling time in PP is 77%, 70% with glass-filled PBT, 67% with Glass-filled Nylon, 5% with Noryl PS/PPO blend and 27% with HDPE. Read in Colloidal silica additive reduces injection molding cycle time of engineering plastics