As environmental impact and raw material costs are increasingly becoming a major concern for food and beverage manufacturers, it is predicted that packaging pouch growth will be fueled by the advantages pouch manufacturing equipment can offer in terms of reduced processing and shipping costs. Improvements in pouch manufacturing technology, such as machinery with increased line speeds will continue to lower production costs, thereby making pouches more competitive. Read more in Pouch market in USA is expected to grow at 6%, will reach US$8 bln by 2012
Researchers have developed a new type of microcapsule filled with perfume and embedded in fabric for production of scented suits, socks, undergarments and other clothing. The same technology can be used in many other applications, such as to mask unpleasant body odors when using textile products. Another team of scientists have found new ways to make protective fabrics (used in flame-retardant children’s clothing or odor-inhibiting socks and shirts) last longer and work better. Read more in Developments in perfumed fabrics, longer lasting protective fabrics possible with use of polymer
TPE demand is slowing in developed economies, as most of the easy substitutions for thermoset rubber have been accomplished. There are signs of commoditization in areas like consumer and building/construction, and the overall market is shifting primarily to China, finding application in footwear, houseware, consumer products, appliances, tools, and sports/leisure products. A market research study forecasts the average growth of TPE for 2006-2011 period at 6.3% pa reaching about 4 mln tons by 2011. Read more in Thermoplastic elastomers growing healthily, with a focus on performance improvements
The appearance on injection molded parts of visual defects such as cracking, crazing, grooves, ripples, wave marks and flaky brittleness, besides being aesthetically inacceptable, are also performance defects. Most of the common visual defects are an indication of part failure resulting from internal and external stresses exceeding the strength of the part. The most common causes of these stress-induced visual defects range from the environment to the process, polymer, and sometimes the mold or part design. Read more in Visual defects in injection molded parts cause problems with aesthetics and properties
Like conventional plastics, biopolymers need additives to address inherent weaknesses in processability and physical properties. The major challenge that additive suppliers currently face is lack of availability for many biopolymers, as most are either still in the pilot-plant stage or else sold out (like PLA). However, several additives have been developed to aid biopolymers overcome limitations and improve properties. Read more in Additives aid bioploymers overcome limitations and improve properties
The goal in processing long fiber thermoplastics (LFT) is to keep the glass fibers as long as possible as this enhances mechanical properties. A disc pump to preserve long fibers during processing has been developed. The new pumping device is expected to achieve this by wetting out continuous fibers with a pre melted polymer, cutting them to a specific length, and then feeding them back into the downstream section of a single or twin-screw extruder. Read details in Disc pump to preserve long fibers that enhance mechanical properties during processing
