ADDITIVE MANUFACTURING

3D printing with increased focus on sustainability / Parts optimisation applications on the rise / Healthcare sector offers large market potential – Sculpteo, Wohlers reports

UPDATE - USA

Hurricane Ida hammers infrastructure at US Gulf Coast / Numerous petchem plants without power / Forecasts say some production out for up to six weeks

SK CAPITAL

Acquisition of majority stake in Techmer PM / Purchase of Baker Hughes' speciality polymers business

COVESTRO

Partnership with Google on quantum computing R&D

AGRICULTURAL FILMS

Use of plastics in agriculture increasing worldwide / Reaction to shortage of land area and water / Biodegradable mulch films included in EU fertilisers regulation for first time / Biopolymers and recycling associations have conflicting opinions

SHALE GAS

US fracking activities gather speed / Excessive ethane earmarked for export / Argentina said to possess large reserves / Poland to begin commercial production in 2016 / Environmental impact contested

EVONIK

“Solimide” polyimide foams business to be sold to Boyd

BASF

Commencing commercialisation of crosslinkable PA 6.6 compound developed with Sweden's Nexam Chemical / Automotive and E&E applications

PLASTIC FANTASTIC

The next gas revolution may be out of this world...

NANOCOMP TECHNOLOGIES

Carbon nanotubes facility opened in USA / Strategic alliance with DuPont