PT Blog

Bioplastics are here to stay and even during difficult economic times appear to be getting increasing attention as indicated by the recent grant announcements by the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE). Danimer Scientific, Bainbridge, Ga., has received a grant to expand commercialization of its Nodax PHA (polyhydroxyalkanoate). Of the eight biomanufacturing companies the DOE selected to receive a total of nearly $5.7 million, Danimer Scientific is the sole recipient focused on creating biodegradable plastics.

All of Danimer Scientific's biopolymers, including Nodax PHA, are FDA approved for food contact. Nodax PHA is biodegradable in anaerobic soil, freshwater and marine environments and is 100% bio based. It also possesses seven TUV Austria certifications and statements of industrial and home compostability,.

This is the ninth in a series of blogs based on 2019-2020 research conducted by Mastio & Co., St. Joseph, Mo. on key markets for processors of polyethylene film. There will be 10 articles in all. The first five offered Mastio’s analysis—based on interviews with processors conducted direct by the Missouri firm—with film processors representing the five largest PE film markets: stretch film, consumer/institutional product liners, T-shirt bags, institutional can liners and consumer trash bags.

The second batch of five focus on the five fastest-growing PE film markets. We’ve already hit on bubble-wrap market, converter film and deli bags and wrap. Here, we focus on the envelope market and magazine overwrap market.

As with several other annual plastics and composites conferences, this year’s 20^th SPE Automotive Composites Conference & Exhibition (ACCE), said to be the leading automotive composites forum, will be a virtual event due to COVID 19. “Composites—Driving Innovative Transportation with Electrification, Mobility, Autonomy,” is the theme for this year’s event reflecting the industry advancing with new technologies and polymer composites solutions. And despite the relatively lackluster comeback of the automotive industry during this pandemic, these technologies are expected to both come to fruition and excel.

Chirino will present ACC’s 2020 Plastics and Automotive Technology Roadmap for Future Mobility including lightweight plastics’ and composites’ role in vehicle and passenger safety, their essential contributions to mega trends like autonomous driving, and latest research projects shaping the industry.

Putting a sensor anywhere in a tool can give you some form of data, but it may not be value added. The key is knowing upfront what you want the sensor to do for you before determining where to place it, and what type of sensor you want to use. Start by answering these five questions in chronological order.

This is the most important question to ask before installing sensors in your mold. Most people stall right here because they’re not sure what functions a sensor can actually perform. A lot of people just want to instrument a tool because they’ve heard they should run Decoupled Molding processes or they want to try out process-control software. Others are curious about the ability to collect data, track a part to a molding cycle, resolve existing production challenges, or create a template to maintain or transfer processes. Whatever the answer, this single question needs one before proceeding so you can make decisions to work toward your goal moving forward.

Working with the Institute of Polymer Technology at the University Erlangen-Nuremberg, Germany’s George H. Luh GmbH has embarked on research projects that appear very promising for expanding the use of graphite in thermoplastics.

For over 85 years, the company has specialized in graphite and mica and is considered the lead supplier of expandable graphite in Europe. The company’s core competency encompasses macrocrystalline natural graphite—also known as flake graphite, amorphous graphite and specialty graphite for conductivity and lubricating applications, as well as expandable graphite as a halogen-free flame retardant.