PT Blog

Two years ago, we reported on Norway’s Norner, an independent plastics institute with over 40 years of experience, having granted the first licensing agreement to an undisclosed company for its patented “breakthrough” PE production technology. The concept of the Norner Trimodal Technology (NTT) is based on a system of three polymerization reactors where a fraction of a third high-molecular-weight polymer is introduced in a small third reactor-containing comonomer.

As such, the technology creates trimodal materials with a higher comonomer content in the highest molecular weight, boosting material performance. It is reportedly very well suited for applications such as pipe, blow molding and films. Key material and application benefits are said to include improved pressure and stress-crack resistance, better impact resistance, as well as excellent processability.

Using the theme “The Element of Invention” at the upcoming K 2019 show, Victrex will spotlight the latest additions to its portfolio of PEEK and PAEK polymers. Included are additive manufacturing (AM/3D printing filaments and powders), composites, films, gear solutions, and a new food-grade family, all of which complement the innovations that followed the invention of PEEK over 40 years ago, which have ranged across key industrial sectors in advanced applications, often replacing metals.

“The invention of PEEK polymer has clearly had a very positive impact across industries and, in fact, across the globe. We could never have imagined the continuous stream of innovation this high performing versatile polymer would make possible. Visitors to the Victrex K 2019 show booth can look forward to pioneering new grades as well as exciting progress on forms and parts in critical applications where high performance polymers deliver a strong advantage in the development of new markets,” said Victrex CEO Jakob Sigurdsson.

A bright outlook on why plastics have a good future despite significant issues being faced by the industry was shared with us in this recent interview with Michael Carus, CEO of the German researcher nova-Institute and editor Svenja Geerken of the institute’s monthly newsletter, Bio-based News.

Carus, a physicist, founder and managing director of the nova-Institute, has been working for over 20 years in the field of bio- and CO₂-based economy. The focus of his work is market analysis, techno-economic and ecological evaluation as well as the political and economic framework for bio-based processes and applications (“level playing field for industrial material use”). Considered to be one of the leading experts and market researchers in Europe on bio- and CO₂-based economy and especially the industrial use of biomass, Carus is actively involved in building networks in the fields of agricultural and forestry resources, bio-based chemicals and materials (bio-based polymers, plastics and biocomposites) and industrial biotechnology and biorefinery. A member in many societies, associations and international organizations, Carus also serves as a consultant on policy in different countries in Europe, Asia and America.

Molding tips, plastics research, circular economy, composites, cleanrooms and extrusion (both the Extrusion Conference and new pipe technology) captured reader interest last month. Check out the Top 10 below.

As we have been reporting in the last couple of months leading up to next month’s K 2019, a major theme across-the-board will be on sustainability and the ‘Circular Economy’. Biobased materials and additives will certainly be one focus and Total Corbion PLA (U.S. office in New York, N.Y.) which in late 2018  started up its  165 million lb/yr production plant in Rayong, Thailand, a 50/50 joint venture of Total and Corbion of The Netherlands, is one company that will showcase a broad range of its Luminy PLA products and applications.

Last year’s start-up marked a major milestone for both the joint venture and the bioplastics market. With this additional 165 million lb/yr facility, the global production of PLA bioplastics has been increased by nearly 50%, to 480 million lb/yr. PLA is a fast-growing polymer market with an estimated annual growth rate of 10% to 15%.