TER PLASTICS

New distribution partners in Europe / Styrenic copolymers and PC blends for Iberia and France

RTP

Conductive masterbatches launched / For environments prone to electrostatic discharge

MERCOSUR

Trading bloc updates plastic additives regulations / Close alignment with EU rules

3D PRINTING

Global 3D printing materials market for healthcare set to skyrocket / Scarcity of compliant materials a challenge / Design influences print time and cost of parts / Frost & Sullivan and Wohlers reports

PERSTORP

Launch of renewable version of “Pevalen” non-phthalate plasticiser / Up to 40% renewable content initially

SOLVAY

PARA rod stock from Drake Medical Plastics / Alternative to prototype tooling for single-use medical devices

PERSTORP

FDA food contact approval for non-phthalate PVC plasticiser "Pevalen" / Significant expansion of production capacity

SABIC

Compounded resins from chemically recycled PET bottles launched / Higher-value PBT materials with enhanced properties

DISPOSABLE GLOVES

Health and safety awareness drives global demand / Vinyl market to grow by 7.9% per year to 2025 / Grand View Research report

POLYPLASTICS

Launch of PBT resin for automotive applications / POM series for drug-contact applications in medical market

OMYA

Calcium carbonate product for biopolymers such as PLA / Food-contact applications

LOOP INDUSTRIES

Multi-year rPET supply agreements with Coca-Cola and PepsiCo / Chemical recycler's net loss widens in H1 2018

FREUDENBERG MEDICAL

Construction of new manufacturing plant and global HQ in the US

ENSINGER PLASTICS

New laser-markable white POM

KANEKA

Capacity expansion for biodegradable polymer in Japan / Study started on commercial-scale plant

L'ORÉAL

Partnership with chemical recycler Loop Industries / Incorporation of rPET into packaging

LANXESS

New high-temperature system for PA 6.6 / PA 6 alternatives for automotive applications / Pigment plant in Ningbo on China's list of "green" facilities

TOTAL

FDA approves HDPE recycling process / New secondary compounds

AMUT

Link-up with Erema for PET bottle-to-packaging recycling / Compliant with European and US food-contact regulations / Presentation at "Plast" in Milan

PLASTICS AND HEALTH

Initial results of long-awaited US study says BPA safe for consumers at low doses / PlasticsEurope and BPF satisfied / EFSA will continue assessments until 2019

3D PRINTING

Healthcare market to reach USD 6 bn in 2027 / Strong demand from dentistry and hearing aid sectors / Smithers Rapra report

API

Biodegradable bioplastics for single-serve coffee capsules launched

FRANCESCO FRANCESCHETTI ELASTOMERI

Synthetic corks for wine and spirit bottles / SBS and SEBS compounds distributed by NRC in Europe

PERSTORP

Upgrade for caprolactone plant in the UK

INNOVIA

High-speed film with wide sealing range launched / New BOPP products widen application and market possibilities