Recycling a Key Focus at The Packaging Conference
Packaging trends, innovation and initiatives were discussed—all with an emphasis on sustainability.  

Hot Half-Dozen Applications Driving Developments in PE
Sustainability, consumer convenience, and evolving e-commerce packaging are driving new advances in polyethylene. 

Additives: Slip Additive Masterbatch for LDPE Film
Dow Performance Silicone’s new MB25-235 masterbatch said to significantly reduce COF and provide long-term performance. 

Global Engineering Plastics Market to Grow by Over Seven Percent
New study projects strong growth for PC, nylon, ABS, PET & PBT, acetal, and fluoropolymers.

Reducing Low-Level Background Gels in PE Film
While considered acceptable in many cases, they need not be tolerated and are usually attributable to minor screw-design flaws. Here’s some advice on what to do about them.

Dow Talks New EVOLV3D Universal Support Material, 3D Printing Market
Dow R&D Manager Nathan Wilmot told Plastics Technology the EVOLV3D USM addresses longstanding challenges in Fused Filament Fabrication related to broad compatibility and solubility.

Collaborative Program Converts Hard-to-Recycle Plastics into Energy Resources
Q&A with Dow’s Jon Pyper on the process, success stories and long-term goals of a new program to turn things like chip bags into energy, including diesel fuel.

All-PE Printed Collation Film Replaces Cardboard for Craft Beer Packs
Berry, Dow collaboration helps boost sales for beer maker while cutting costs and offering more in the way of sustainability, branding and shelf appeal.

News Highlights from NPE2018
Developments in Industry 4.0, multi-layer preform molding, automation, LSR processing, and PP were among the major newsbreakers at May’s show. And one film processor finalized purchases of 13 new lines.

Additives: Silicone-Based Anti-Squeak Additive for Auto Interior Components
Dow Performance Silicones’ anti-squeak additive reduced COF in PC/ABS parts to void noise in vehicle cabin.

Packaging: The Roads of Innovation Meet at Sustainability
In plastics packaging, most of the innovations are oriented towards sustainability, but how do we get there? Processors and industry leaders share their approaches.

Packaging: Protection and Sustainability in a Single Pack
E-commerce explosion and the growing preference for fresh products are raising the bar of packaging protection capabilities, while keeping the track on sustainability.

Highlights From The Earth Day Twitter Chat
Last week, Plastics Technology participated in a pre-Earth Day Twitter chat with Jeff Wooster of Dow Chemical, Kim Holmes of PLASTICS, Envision Plastics and the Sustainable Packaging Coalition.

Maco PKG Licenses Dow PacXpert Flexible Packaging Technology
Maco is the third North American licensee of the this technology, joining KRW Packaging Machinery and Ring Container.

Materials: LSR Grades Offer Low-Temperature Curing, Primerless Adhesion to Copolyester
Curing at a lower temperature makes it feasible to overmold the materials onto heat-sensitive substrates, including copolyesters.

What is Your Extruder Trying to Tell You?
Being in tune with your film extrusion equipment will allow you to identify issues before they start impacting production.

DowDuPont Starts Up World-Scale Ethylene & PE Facility
New integrated, world-scale production facility started up for ethylene monomer and Elite enhanced polyethylene in Freeport, Texas.