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Topping the raw-materials news at the big JEC international composites show in Paris last April, was increasing use of natural and thermoplastic fibers, 'hybrid' fiber combinations, small-diameter glass fibers, and [...]

History shows that wars drive plastics development, and the Iraq war is no exception. It's bringing among other things an urgent need to retrofit vehicles and buildings against bullets and [...]

Steel-rule dies aren't generally thought of as cutting-edge technology, pardon the pun. Trimming parts with embedded metal strips goes back to shoemaking in the 1800s. But forged rule dies for [...]

The article reports on the reinforcements and plastic materials featured at the JEC international composites show in Paris, France, in April 2007. According to the author, the event reported the increasing use of natural and thermoplastic fibers, hybrid fiber combinations, small-diameter glass fibers and prepregs. The top JEC innovation prize went to F.T.S. Fibre e Tessuti Speciali SpA. Meanwhile, CRST SA showcased unidirectional fabrics that combine long-fiber hemp with thermoplastic fibers.

Focuses on several expanded polystyrene (EPS) and expandable polypropylene (EPP) moldings that were featured during the K 2004 Show in Dusseldorf, Germany in October 2004. Industrial applications of EPS and EPP moldings; Increase in the demand for EPS in 2004; Highlights of the K 2004 show. INSET: New EPS Materials.

Reports on the commercial products made from a mixture of recycled polyethylene (PE) and polyethylene terephthalate (PET). Application of the industrial equipment from Erema North America in the processing of the alloys; Properties yield from combining PET and PE; Applications of the recycled PET and PE alloys. INSET: 'Beer-Bottle Alloy' of PET & Nylon.

Focuses on Long-Fiber Molding/Extrusion Conference in Miami, Florida, on developments in direct-compounded long-fiber thermoplastics (DLFT). Applications of DLFT in extrusion and thermoforming; Development of DLFT injection molding process by the University of Maryland in College Park, Maryland; Merits of DLFT.

Presents the development of thermoformed gas tanks that challenges blow molding and steel for industrial applications. Trouble with California emissions standards faced by blow molded gas tanks; Exhibition of the first two prototype twin sheet thermoformed gas tanks at autoshows in the United States and France; Emissions advantage of twin-sheet forming; Companies producing twin-sheets. INSET: Emissions Limits: A Moving Target.

Focuses on materials-handling equipment for feeding and drying wood flour. Trend toward wood-filled thermoplastics in North America; Brabender Technologies Inc.'s Flex-Wall gravimetric feeder; Loss-in-weight feed system for wood flour; Makers of blenders and feeders; Gravimetric mixing and dosing equipment.

The article reviews the market prices for plastic commodities in 2007. Prices of commodity thermo-plastics rose in 2007 due to energy and feedstock costs, a strong export market and lower importation of finished products. Polyethylene prices rose due to higher oil prices, a weak dollar and high export demands from Europe. Polypropylene prices also rose in 2007 due to supply disruptions caused by Hurricane Katrina.

The article presents an outlook for the plastics industry in 2007. According to Michael Greenberg of The Plastics Exchange, the balance of supply and demand will shift pricing power toward resin suppliers especially in polypropylene. Industry sources are expecting an upward pricing pressure on polypropylene.

The article offers information on RocTool's mold induction heating technology for thermoplastic composite production. RocTool, a technology development company in France, has developed an electromagnetic induction method to produce Class A thermoplastic surfaces. Several stages of the development of the technology are discussed.

Focuses on the use of smaller expanded polystyrenes (EPS) beads in making cups. Commercial EPS cup makers and one EPS bead producer that have launched new dual-material cup technologies that permit the first use of all-over printing with high-quality graphics on EPS; Benefits of smaller EPS beads; Others applications of smaller EPS beads.

Reports on prices of various types of resins as of June 01, 2003. Price of polyethylene; Increase in the price of polypropylene resin tabs; Factors contributing in the increase of price of resins.

Predicts trends in pricing for engineering thermoplastics in 1999 based on supply and demand, feedstock supplies and crude-oil prices. Impact of the Asian economic crisis on the market; Stability among resin producers; Price behavior in plastics markets. INSETS: Degradable Resin Maker Drops Out;AT Plastics Starts Up EVA Expansion.

The article provides information on polyphosphonate (PPh), a thermoplastic from FRX Polymers Inc. made by a polycondensation process similar to that used for polycarbonate (PC). The benefits offered by the material include high clarity, inherent flame resistance and broad potential for copolymerization with PC. The PPh polymeric additives will be used as inherently flame-retardant transparent plastics in consumer electronics and other markets.

The article presents an update on commodity resin prices effective mid-February 2009. Polyethylene (PE) prices increased to 7 cents/pound in January and February 2009, and this came after prices crashed between August and December 2008. However, prices of polypropylene moved up 2 cents/pound in January 2009.

The article provides an update on commodity resin prices in the U.S. plastics industry. Polyethylene (PE) prices did not go up in August 2007 despite pressure from suppliers. Polypropylene (PP) prices increased in July and August because domestic demand grew less than 1 percent through June, according to the author. Polyethylene terephthalate (PET) stays firm after moving up in May. There are no significant movements in the prices of polyvinyl chloride (PVC) and polystyrene (PS).

The article reports on the market prices of commodity resins in the U.S. as of June 2007. According to the author, domestic demand for resin was moderate to slow in the second quarter while exports were booming and feedstock prices were rising. On the other hand, polypropylene (PP) experienced a drop in price as spot resin prices declined. Meanwhile, exports soared as domestic PP demand has been flat or slightly negative.

The article presents the market prices of commodity resins as of November 2006. The price of polyethylene is set to increase in December due to the expected low inventories of producers despite dropping 6 cents per pound on the onset of November. Polypropylene prices will continue to decrease until the year's end due to the sharp decline in propylene monomer tabs and destocking of resin inventories. Polyvinyl chloride resin prices is expected to decrease until December as buyers wait for prices to slip.

This article discusses the market prices of resins. Polyethylene prices remained flat in July 2006 for a number of reasons. There is an increase in the prices of unsaturated polyester resins, vinyl ester resins, gel coats, epoxies, styrenics and nylons. A chart of the market prices of resins for mid-July 2006 is presented.

Presents an update on the prices of chemicals used in the manufacturing of plastic materials in the U.S. Increase in polyethylene prices in June 2006; Factors that contributed to polyethylene price hikes; Reasons for the increase in polypropylene prices in May and June 2006.

Provides information on the shape-shifting Geotrans die technology developed by Specialty Silicone Fabricators in Paso Robles, California. Dies with moving parts patented by Specialty Silicone; Use of Geotrans for non-medical thermoplastic applications.

Presents an update on the prices for various thermoplastics in the U.S. for December 2005. Polyethylene; Polypropylene; Polyvinyl chloride; Polystyrene resin.

The article features several technologies unveiled by Rieter Automotive Systems in June 2005 at its 17th biennial acoustic conference for automotive thermoplastic composites and acoustic laminates. Rieter's software combines commercial finite-element software modules to model the shear behavior of composite textile fabrics. Its most celebrated long-fiber thermoplastic composite achievement is its first natural-fiber part, a spare-wheel pan cover for DaimlerChrsler.

The article presents updates on domestic resin prices as of November 15, 2005, including polyethylene, polypropylene, polyvinyl chloride and polystyrene. Price levels and contributing factors to the resin prices are discussed. Price increases on thermoplastic polyurethene, specialty polyolefins and thermoplastic polyesters have also been announced by some suppliers.

Reports on the latest pricing update in the plastics industry in 2005. Effects of polyethylene price increase on the industry; Factors that contributed to the increase of polypropylene prices; Reason behind the decision of resin suppliers to hold the line of prices of their products.

Reports on the market performance of plastic companies in 2004. Contributing factors to the increasing prices of polyethylene; Prediction of polyvinyl chloride resin producers on market prices in July; Business performance of polystyrene producers for June and July.

Presents updates on the prices of plastic materials in the U.S. as of May 2004. Increase in the prices of polyethylene; Factors contributing the increase in the prices of polypropylene; Proposal of polyvinyl chloride producers for price increase.

Presents charts depicting the prices of thermoplastics. Decrease of polypropylene feedstock prices; Rate of increase in resin prices; Plans of Bayer Polyurethanes and Dow Polyurethanes to raise prices of urethane chemicals.

Highlights trends in market prices for thermoplastic resins as of July 2001. Factors contributing to the reduction in resin prices; Market prices for mid-June by resin grade.

Reports on the efforts of plastics suppliers to fight weak prices in all major-volume thermoplastics in October 2000. Decline in polyethylene (PE) prices; Decision of DuPont Packaging and Industrial Polymers to raise prices of ethylene copolymers and polyolefins; Softer resin prices derived mainly from new PE capacity that has unbalanced supply and demand.

The article describes a commercial thermoplastic ionomers invented by Total Petrochemicals. The new ionomers are styrene monomer-based ionomers while previous ionomers were ethylene-based. Ionomers are thermoplastics made of ionic bonds of polymer chains. The first polystyrene (PS) ionomer improves production of PS foam and OPS sheet and blown film. The new high-heat crystal PS, CX5229, is the first product of this new ionomer material.

Focuses on the production of Arboform thermoplastics. Composition of Arboform; Extrusion and molding of Arboform on conventional machines; Importance of lignin as component of Arboform; Demonstration on the injection molding of Arboform.