Nanotechnology offers tremendous opportunities for innovative developments in food packaging that can benefit both consumers and industry. With growing applications anad rampant market expansion, there is a potential for nanoparticles to enter the environment through many routes and in greater quantities, which has caused some concern. Currently, the potential health and environmental impacts of nanomaterials lags significantly behind the pace of innovation. Read more in Lack of regulations for nanomaterials raises concerns over their usage in packaging
As an increasing number of countries are banning plastic bags responsible for white pollution, PLA is poised to play a big role as a viable, biodegradable replacement. However, PLA is far from dealing with the world's plastic waste problem because of several issues listed in this article. Read more in Is biodegradable PLA free from plastic waste problems?
Europe is far ahead of recycling plastic packaging at 25% compared to about 10% in USA . Both Europe and America using significant quantity and applications of packaging have regulations of packaging waste. These regulations of packaging waste differ significantly, resulting in different ways of packaging. Read more in Europe is far ahead of USA in recycling of packaging material
Global ethylene capacity is expected to be at 162 mln tons by 2012, ahead of the demand growth. Over 60% of current cracker capacity is based on liquid feed, and 40% is based on gas of which around 12% is based on the advantageously priced gas in the Middle East. As the region's capacity increases, the share of gas based crackers in global capacity is expected to increase in future. New plants in the Middle East could run at high operating rates, regardless of market conditions, because of low fixed and feedstock costs. The augmentation of capacity in the Middle East capacity to be commissioned in the next few months is predicted to be disastrous for liquids-based producers. Read more in Middle East, China and India to enhance ethylene capacity till 2012
A newly developed material delivers extended high temperature performance, while offering all the key characteristics of natural Victrex PEEK, including toughness, strength and chemical resistance. This is achieved by developing higher crystallinity in PEEK. Higher crystallinity results into higher mechanical properties along with higher continuous temperature resistance. Read more in High crystallinity brings higher continuous temperature resistance in PEEK
Structural polymers are susceptible to damage in the form of cracks which form deep within the structure where detection is difficult and repair is almost impossible. Prior self-healing materials relied on embedded capsules of sealant that opened during a break and then had to be replenished, or polymers that required high heat to rebond. A new elastomeric material can be cut and rejoined at the same spot simply by pressing the broken ends together for a few minutes. Read more in A self healing polymer, a polymeric material that autonomically heals cracks
