| ARTICLES |
Polymer demand in Europe could decline by 3-4% in 2009 after a bad 2008 when polymer consumption dropped by 8% over levels of 2007. The European processors are still buying polymer strictly to order, rather than rebuilding stocks to former levels. To know about the raw materials that performed well and the growth sectors, read Europe is expected to see 3-4% decline of polymer growth in 2009 |
Additives are necessary in both rigid and flexible PVC, including a combination of stabilizers, lubricants, processing aids, plasticizers and impact modifiers. Stabilizers play a key role in the PVC industry where the market is driven by regulatory and cost-performance issues. Stabilizers will grow at a rate similar to that of PVC, that predominantly drives its growth. To know about the various types of stabilizers, their application, consumption, demand growth estimates, along with the growth sectors and regions, read Heat stabilizers to grow at 3% from 2008 until 2013 |
Biopolymers are expensive and have property or processing limitations. Most available durable bio-resins are based on PLA blended with polymers like PC, PP, ABS, HIPS, PET and PMMA. Fillers, fibers and additives are also added to the blends to prevent degradability, increase HDT, reduce brittleness and speed crystallization. Newer blends are being developed to enhance properties and improve viability of biopolymers. Read in Blends of PLA being developed to improve viability of PLA |
Hot runner systems play a critical role in optimizing the thermal profile of a production mold, providing consistency in material flow and fill from part to part. They are injection molds in which the runners are kept hot and insulated from the chilled cavities. To know about the many variations of hot runner systems, their advantages, limitations and applications, read Internally heated runner provides better heating control and better economy |
Minerals are conventionally used in polymers to reduce cost by replacing and thereby lowering usage of higher cost polymers. Other possible economic advantages are faster molding cycles as a result of increased thermal conductivity and fewer rejected parts due to warpage. Producers have focused on increasing value and functionality by tailoring mineral properties like improved processing, density control, optical effects, thermal conductivity, control of thermal expansion, electrical and magnetic properties, flame retardancy and improved mechanical properties. Read in Mineral fillers fulfill property enhancement requirements |
Researchers have integrated a collection of light sensors into polymer fibers, creating a new type of camera. Work is progressing on developing fabrics capable of capturing images. Optical fiber webs provide a distributed imaging capability over the entire surface of a fabric, which provides a wider view and are less susceptible to damage. If one area is damaged, other fibers can still function, extracting the image. Read in A new flexible camera from fiber and semi conducting light sensors |
Antistats are used widely in packaging such as film, thermoformed containers and PET bottles in which they help surfaces separate during production and reduce dust attraction for short-term cosmetic improvement. Antistatic, electrostatic dissipative (ESD) and conductive additives are in demand for plastics compounds used in several applications from packaging, electronics to automotive. Additive suppliers have introduced new migrating antistats, permanent antistats and nanomaterials. Read in Permanent antistats are gaining market share |
Transparency is highly valued in plastic end products and increases their aesthetic value. Amorphous polymers provide transparency while crystalline polymers do not. For crystalline polymer to get clarity, the end products are either very thin like film and should be oriented so that size of crystals becomes smaller. The light transmittance of some semicrystalline polymers can be improved through additive technology. Read in Amorphous polymers can produce transparent clear products |
Water shortage is becoming an acute problem, particularly in under developed regions of the world due to added demands of an ever rising population. Poor water management, unclear laws, government corruption and industrial and human waste have caused this water supply crunch. Rain water harvesting is essential because surface water is inadequate to meet our demand and we have to depend on ground water and because recharging of ground water has diminished. Read the types of plastic storage tanks and their advantages over conventional tanks, in Plastic tanks are better than concrete for rainwater storage |
PRICE TRENDS for the week
NAPHTHA 
In line with crude oil futures, spot naphtha prices fell by around 15-20 dollars on the final trading day in the week, to dip to US$...
ETHYLENE
Ethylene prices have fallen to US$1310/MT in Asia in the week on lackluster demand in the region, particularly from China at the onset of the Lunar...
PROPYLENE
Propylene prices have fallen to levels just below US$1200/MT in Asia in the week, on sluggish demand and bearish outlook from the downstream markets ahead of the Chinese...
Read More in Price trends of oil, polymer feedstock and commodity polymers in Asia for the week ended February 08, 2010 |
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