Top 5 Articles on Sustainability in 2024
Plastics Engineering has selected the Top 5 Articles on Sustainability in 2024, showcasing the most impactful advancements in eco-friendly materials, innovative recycling methods, and regulation.
Plastics Engineering has curated the Top 5 Articles on Sustainability in 2024. These articles highlight how the plastics industry drives meaningful change toward greener technologies.
Fluorination in Packaging and PFAS Contamination
The packaging industry widely uses direct fluorination as a surface treatment to enhance barrier properties, but this process has recently been linked to PFAS contamination in HDPE and PP.
Do Plastic Bottles Release Microplastics?
Microplastics, particles measuring less than 5 mm in length, have emerged as a pressing environmental concern, necessitating a detailed examination of their impact and ecological repercussions, but do microplastics in bottled water come from plastic bottles themselves?
Rethinking the System: We Need Molecular Recycling
The lower recycling rates worldwide have demonstrated that effectively managing plastic waste needs multiple recycling technologies.
Bio-Polyethylene: When Performance Meets Sustainability
The plastics market demands sustainable alternatives to conventional fossil-based plastics. Bio-Polyethylene emerges as a promising solution, offering environmental advantages and maintaining performance.
The Complexity of Recyclate
The focus on sustainability means companies are working to incorporate more recycled materials into their plastic products. However, recycled materials come with high variability levels that affect how machines run and the quality of finished products. This challenge leads to new approaches in both online and offline testing and analysis that address variations as they arise.
Conclusion: True Progress
In response to growing consumer demand for sustainable products and processes, manufacturers have a critical role in driving innovation and embracing cutting-edge solutions. While much of the focus on sustainability revolves around recycling and circularity, true progress will require a holistic approach, integrating advanced materials, efficient production methods, and long-term environmental responsibility.