Bucky tube is poised to become a fantastic additive for polymer composites

Bucky tube – an arrangement of 60 carbon atoms in the form of a soccer ball, was discovered accidentally in 1985. Bucky tube has incredible properties like high stiffness due to denseness of its atoms and toughness. An unprecedented combination of stiffness and toughness makes bucky tube by far the strongest known fibers in tension – about 100 times stronger than high-strength steel at one-sixth the weight. Many stiff materials are too brittle to be used. Most materials that are not brittle, such as spider silk, can be stretched about 30% beyond resting length, but are not particularly strong

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Biodegradable Polystyrene Foam Food Packaging

Dual advantages of low cost and insulating properties make polystyrene a widely used material for food packaging. However, regulatory and consumer pressure to reduce the impact of packaging waste have been forcing processors to seek more environmental-friendly alternatives. Conventional polystyrene containers can take hundreds of years to break down, although the process can be accelerated considerably using chemicals and other methods. These, however, are costly both costly and cause further environmental damage.

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Permanent anti static agent provides long lasting performance

Static problems associated with plastic products such as thin films not only cause processing problems in manufacture as well as use in the converting industry, but also adversely affect performance during usage. To achieve long term performance, anti static characteristics should remain during the entire life span of the product, but conventional anti static agents provide solutions that are temporary. Non-permanent anti static agents are typically hygroscopic in nature and are basically less compatible with polymers. Their migration to surface generates anti static behaviour in the plastic products. Water absorption of the anti static agent makes it conductive. Typically these non-permanent anti static agents have low molecular weight and are chemicals like glycols, sulphonates or amides.

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Healthy global Polypropylene consumption expected to cross 50 million tons by 2010

Polypropylene (PP) is one of the fastest growing polymers in the world. A recent market research report expects PP consumption to reach 51 million tons by the end of this decade (2010) - thus consolidating its position as the largest polyolefin, and will remain the top ranking polyolefin until 2010.

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Indian petrochemical sector poised to grow at over 10% from 2006 to 2011

The Indian petrochemical industry is poised for a growth of over 10% over the next five years from 2006. This is higher than the current growth rate of 3-4%, and is expected to translate into investments of US$12-15 billion for the industry. At current prices, downstream petrochemical production is expected to increase from current levels of US$15-18 billion to US$30-35 billion over the next 5 years. Petroleum ministry estimates peg India's refining capacity to increase from 135 mln tpa in 2006 to 210-225 mln tpa by 2011. This would create an export surplus of refined products of 80-90 mln tpa by 2011.

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Asia is marching ahead in the business of printed electronics

As in case of many plastic applications, Europe could be losing the race for the huge new business of printed electronics and its revolutionary impact on society as Asia surges ahead in the field of printed electronics. Europe may not be able to counter this shift to Asia, despite having many more academic institutions working on the subject than East Asia, almost as many as in the USA.

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High oil prices drive up petrochemical costs

High crude oil prices and refinery margins have increased prices of petroleum products to record highs. Annual average crude oil price has exploded over a vast range in the last decade, from a low of US$12/barrel in 1998 to the present highs yo-yoing between US$90-99/barrel. Many industry sectors have experienced a dramatic increase in operating costs as energy and raw material costs escalate.

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Beta nucleation of PP provides enhanced impact strength

Nucleated or clarified Polypropylene (PP) is quite common since it enhances rigidity, improves productivity by lower cycle time, and with clarifying agents enhances clarity. There are many applications of this type of nucleation. Recently, nucleating agent that provides beta crystal form has also been commercially developed. PP is semi crystalline with 40–60% crystallinity. It does not provide clarity. Increasing the crystals enhance rigidity along with higher melting points. However none of commercial alpha nucleating agents enhances impact strength.

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Clear rigid plastic provides clear benefits

New developments in clear plastics have expanded usage in existing and new applications, creating competition between polymers exhibiting optical clarity. Transparent plastics have become a significant market and encompass many types of polymers. In addition to acrylics and polycarbonates, many styrene-based materials, along with commodity and specialty polymers, are available in clear grades.

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High performance films have good growth potential in developed economies

Commodity films like PE, PP, PVC and to some extent PET are large in market size but are growing at relatively modest levels particularly in the developed regions such as North America, Europe and Japan. However, they are growing healthily in Asia. High performance films like PET, Polyamide, higher grades of polyolefins, PC, fluoropoplymers, cyclic olefin copolymers & polyamides have shown to grow quite well in the developed economies. There was a tilt toward higher-value, higher cost high-performance materials, a trend that will accelerate in the next five years.

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Extrusion systems with facility to change pipe dimensions without stoppage enhance productivity

QuickSwitch system, when attached to the conventional extrusion system can change pipe dimension by pressing a button and without stopping the line. This system offers flexibility and cost savings within the designated diameter range - without stopping the production line. As a result, capacity utilization and productivity surge.

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Global PVC consumption and capacity being predominantly influenced by China

Global PVC consumption in 2006 attained a level of 33.5 mln tons, growing by 1.8 mln tons. However, the total capacity addition in 2006 was about 2.3 mln tons, while capacity addition in 2005 was about 3 mln tons. The World consumption pattern is shifting towards Asia. Asia alone accounted for 40% of the total consumption of PVC in 2006. China has a very dominant role with almost 65-66% of the Asian consumption and about 27% of the World consumption. Naturally, China has a tremendous influence on the World trade of PVC.

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