FRAUNHOFER LBF

Improved process to overmould unidirectional reinforced tapes and fabric-reinforced thermoplastics

PLASTICS RESEARCH

New polymer R&D centre opens in Lyon / Collaboration involving all key French producers

RESEARCH

US scientists take method of producing ethylene using carbon dioxide and sunlight one step further / Photosynthesis is the new buzzword

COMPOSITES TECHNOLOGY

Aimplas developed single stage pultrusion process for profile production / Applications in the building and automotive industries / Cheaper and cleaner method

BIOPLASTICS

Spain's Aimplas developed single-stage synthesis process for biopolymers production / Improved plasticity and thermal resistance achieved in biopolyesters

RESEARCH

Belgian university develops improved PLA process / Patent sold to unnamed chemical producer

AMUT

Collaboration with Italian university for research projects / Focus on developing eco-friendly polymers

ECO-SHELL

Spanish project aims to recover calcium carbonate and other materials from egg shell / Reduction in waste dumping and mining requirement

RESEARCH

EU-sponsored “BioBeauty” project plans to develop biomaterial packaging for organic cosmetics / PLA bionanocomposite with antioxidant properties

BIOTEC

Partnership with Japan's Kaneka to develop bio-based products

TEIJIN

Development of advanced fibre-reinforced wood technology for buildings

FEEDSTOCK RESEARCH

Germany's Fraunhofer ICT develops new method to source aromatics from wood and plastics scrap

RESEARCH

Scientists discover means of converting thermoset polymers to thermoplastics by means of “click chemistry” / Reversible reaction

RECYCLING TECHNOLOGY

German scientists use photoexcitation to simplify plastics sorting in recycling plants

CETIM

French technical centre building pilot line for high-speed composite parts production

BIOPOLYMERS

French institute lays cornerstone for bio-based materials research centre in Lille / Focus on renewables

PACKAGING

EU-backed Biobottle project aims to develop biodegrable dairy packaging / Alternative to recycling / Aimplas coordinates

RESEARCH

"Glycix" bioplastic is claimed to be first biodegradable thermoset / Development project at University of Amsterdam / Material dissolves in water

RESEARCH

Scientists develop “nanofur” polymer foil for oil absorption / Method to contain spills / Looking for partners for large-scale development

BAYER MATERIALSCIENCE

CO2-to-polyols plant to start in 2016 / Output for mattresses / Converters show interest