Bioplastics

There are many great qualities lignin possesses. This natural polymer is a potential alternative to fossil-fuel-derived plastic but comes with its fair share of challenges and hold-ups.

Natural wood, while abundant and low-cost, has limited mechanical properties for certain applications. As a result, there is growing interest in engineered wood, which offers enhanced strength and durability to meet modern structural demands.

Mango Materials transforms waste methane into biodegradable PHA, providing a sustainable alternative to plastics and creating significant opportunities for innovation across multiple sectors.

Melanin upcycling offers an innovative and eco-friendly approach to developing sustainable materials. By transforming melanin decomposition products, researchers have created novel polymeric materials with a wide range of applications.

A recent report by the University of Auckland, commissioned by the Ministry for the Environment, sheds light on the presence and impact of harmful additives in compostable products.

The rubber industry employs ammonia to preserve latex by preventing bacterial growth and stabilizing particles. However, ammonia poses significant health risks, including severe skin burns, eye damage, and respiratory issues.

AFLatex Technologies revolutionizes natural rubber latex preservation with eco-friendly methods, reducing reliance on harmful chemicals. 

The maritime sector contributes to approximately 3% of global greenhouse gas emissions. The international shipping industry aims to reduce emissions by at least 20%, with a target of 30% by 2030 compared to 2008.

Improvements in functionality, aesthetics, and sustainability highlighted discussions of colorant advances during the virtual CAD RETEC conference in September presented by SPE’s Colors and Appearance Division. The online event was one of many virtual presentations SPE has instituted to cope with travel restrictions of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Composting Consortium conducted the most extensive in-field study on compostable packaging in North America. It showed that compostable packaging disintegrates effectively under reasonable operating conditions.

Innovative carbon capture technologies are revolutionizing the plastics industry by reducing GHG emissions and transforming carbon waste into valuable materials.

Researchers utilized hyperbranched polyols derived from castor oil as advanced cross-linking agents to develop high-performance bio-based polyurethane anti-smudge coatings.