MAZDA

Bumper-to-bumper recycling from ELVs / Automation of plastic separation process / Improvements in mechanical paint removal

BIOPLASTICS

Research: Launching “MouldPulp” project to develop biocomposites for injection moulding / Pan-European R&D effort involving Swedish, Finish and German scientists

BIOTECHNOLOGY

US Report calls for industry and academia to co-ordinate a growing bio-based product market / Governments and investors must co-operate / Bioplastics industry often suffering from underinvestment

RESEARCH

Impregnating plastics with carbon dioxide / Research project at Germany's Fraunhofer UMSICHT / Nanoparticles give polycarbonate antibacterial properties

PACKAGING RESEARCH

University looks into cutting food waste / Intelligent plastics indicate food deterioration / More economical than in-pack labels

PENFORD PRODUCTS

Natural alternative to replace fluorochemicals in food packaging / Prototypes undergoing industry testing

COMPOSITES

New method for monitoring fibre reinforced composites

RESEARCH

German scientists develop new recycling technique for fluoropolymers / Striving for pilot plant

RESEARCH

Positive interim assessment for EU-funded project to replace synthetic polymer layers by whey protein isolate coating / Plans to reproduce test results at pilot lab

BIOPLASTICS

German institute develops new technique for foamed moulded parts

BAYER MATERIALSCIENCE

Collaboration with Holst Centre on flexible electronics / Partnership will lead to increased material functionality

SOLAR IMPULSE

Plastics industry enables first manned solar night flight / Solvay and Bayer are project partners / Search for suitable innovative high performance plastics and solutions

RESEARCH

Could microbes be the answer to plastic debris in the world's oceans? / British scientists examine interaction between bacteria and plastics

POLYMER RESEARCH

New organic catalyst technology could herald recycling revolution / New type of biopolymer / Pilot applications for pharmaceutical industry planned

FRANCE

Plastipolis cluster receives funding for 10 new projects

MATERIAL RESEARCH

Self-repairing polymer developed / Applications in safety-critical aircraft and automobile components

RESEARCH

New chair for composite simulation and fabrication processes in Nantes

RESEARCH

Banana by-products used in plastics production / UK university develops rotational moulding technique

POLYMER RESEARCH

Twente University to establish a centre for thermoplastic composites

BAYER MATERIALSCIENCE

Licence agreement with US technology firm on P-OLEDs