Process

On the journey towards sustainability, car manufacturers have faced a significant challenge in reducing the carbon footprint associated with the use of animal leather in vehicle upholstery and interiors.  Some have chosen to rigorously trace the supply chain of animal leather, while others have partnered with innovative emerging companies. A few have embarked on designing their own leather using recycled materials.

Artificial intelligence can revolutionize Injection Molding by extracting insights and improving process indicators. The Lüdenscheid Plastics Institute in Germany is conducting some studies to teach companies to understand how to use AI effectively.

New regulations for food contact materials are getting stricter, especially for food-grade rPET. In the case of functional barriers from recycled material without prior decontamination, they could be affected and probably discontinued.

Celanese Corporation and Under Armour, Inc. have joined forces to introduce NEOLAST™, a groundbreaking fiber for performance stretch fabrics. NEOLAST™ provides elite-level performance attributes—stretch, durability, and comfort—while addressing sustainability challenges linked to traditional elastane (spandex) fibers.

The transition from vehicles powered by internal combustion engines to those propelled by electric machines is a reality, and an increasing number of car manufacturers worldwide are accelerating their transition to meet not only government regulations but also the expectations of their customers.

The Consumer Goods Forum (CGF) has introduced Golden Design Rules to boost the recycling value of PET thermoformed trays and other PET thermoformed packaging. These guidelines are tailored to integrate with existing regional recycling programs and pave the way for more efficient recycling systems by 2025.

Advanced machinery that can effectively decontaminate post-consumer plastics is the key to producing rPET with exceptionally high purity. This quality is essential for FDA-approved food-grade packaging.

The Consumer Goods Forum (CGF) has established 9 Golden Design rules to tackle plastic pollution. Rule #1 is to increase the value of PET recycling by embracing transparency and simplicity.

A pair of U.S. defense-related organizations –– America Makes and NCDMM –– have awarded funds to a project designed to optimize recycled PET (rPET) and rPET-based composites in filament-fed material extrusion 3D printing.

Injection molding simulation has already achieved a high level of precision. Industry leaders’ recent collaboration promises enhanced precision in material data, elevating manufacturing efficiency and quality standards.

Optimizing manufacturing processes is paramount. This article delves into an innovative solution implemented at a compounding factory, where Programmable Logic Controller (PLC) tags seamlessly became cloud-based assets within Amazon Web Services (AWS).

The emergence of hydrogel and aerogel-based flame-retardant polymeric materials marks new and innovative options in fire safety and protection. Henri Vahabi and his team’s review article for the SPE Journal of Vinyl and Additive Technology thoroughly explores this cutting-edge concept, revealing its makeup, capabilities, and potential future developments of these innovative materials.