Artificial Intelligence

TOMRA’s sorting machines can now accurately distinguish between food-grade and non-food-grade plastics, overcoming a long-standing challenge in the industry.

Recent studies have delved into the profound effects of plasticizers on the crystallization behavior of linear polymers, shedding light on their impact on nucleation, growth, and melting processes.

In today’s global market, the importance of transparency and sustainability cannot be overstated. The European Union has declared that by 2030, Digital Product Passports will be mandatory for some products sold within its territory.

The plastics processing industry is going through a significant transformation, driven by rising energy costs and concerns regarding future supply reliability.

The future of material research is increasingly changing toward digitization, which promises advantages but requires significant work and adaptability. While initial trends emerge, development varies between material classes due to variations in synthesis, production, analysis, and modeling techniques.

Digital packaging emerges as a revolutionary player in transforming how consumers interact with products. Traditional packaging, primarily focused on protection and basic marketing, is evolving rapidly.

Plastics have evolved beyond their ubiquitous presence in everyday products to become intelligent. The fusion of the Internet of Things (IoT) and Artificial Intelligence (AI) is launching the era of “smart plastics.” These materials aim to revolutionize the functionality and efficiency of plastics in healthcare, automotive, and consumer products.

The future of the plastics industry emerges as a focal point, in a world inundated with crisis reports and the relentless hustle of daily life. Hence, it’s crucial to take a step back and examine the industry through different lenses.

The need to lower the steep costs of traditional manufacturing, involving expensive tooling and molds, makes advancing composite manufacturing a key research focus.

These wearable robotic devices offer enhanced strength, mobility, and support, empowering users with newfound capabilities. However, the advancement of exoskeletons hinges not only on technological innovation but also on the materials that form their foundation. From lightweight alloys to flexible composites, materials play a central role in shaping the functionality, comfort, and durability of these devices.

In the turbulence, the future of the plastics industry emerges as a focal point. With forecasts depicting a landscape characterized by both challenges and opportunities. In a world inundated with crisis reports and the relentless hustle of daily life, it’s imperative now more than ever to hit the pause button and reassess our perspectives.

The IKV Colloquium demonstrated the plastics industry’s resilience in addressing current challenges. On February 28th-29th, 2024, RWTH Aachen University’s IKV organized an event fostering industry-academia exchanges.