China leads in growth of polymers & plastic products

China, after liberalization of economy in 1979, has grown by leaps and bounds. From a modest plastics consumption level of about 1 million ton in 1979, it has attained a level of 38 million tons in 2005. Consumption has achieved 15% average growth in the period of 1979 to 2005, possibly surpassing consumption levels of Europe and North American countries. Interestingly, China produced 18 million tons of polymer in 2005, and had to import 21 million tons. China therefore continues to depend upon imports for 53% of its requirement of synthetic polymers in 2005. The China Plastics Processing Association revealed this information recently.

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Global scenario of polyamide looks quite challenging

Polyamide commonly known as nylon is an engineering thermoplastic. Nylon resins belong to a group of high-performance plastics often referred to as engineering thermoplastics. These materials are noted for their outstanding properties, including high tensile strength; excellent abrasion, chemical and heat resistance; and low coefficient of friction. Thus, they have particular utility in performing mechanical duties that traditionally relied on metal parts. Optical media, electronics, automotive and household applications are the major sectors of polyamide use globally.

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Polymer based flexible rechargeable battery with nano technology

Japanese scientists at Waseda University have recently developed a polymer based flexible paper-like battery that can be recharged. This organic radical battery could be used in pocket-sized integrated circuit cards, used for memory storage and micro processing within the next three years. The power-rate performance is strikingly high. It only takes one minute to fully charge the battery and it has a long cycle life, often exceeding 1000 cycles.

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Latin America likely to be a net exporter of polyolefins soon

The Latin American chemical industry has enjoyed both a global recovery in petrochemical markets and sustained regional economic gains. The good times have fostered an enthusiasm for regional expansion plans. Major economies with large chemical enterprises in Latin America have experienced two successive years of solid economic growth. According to IMF, Brazil, Latin America 's largest economy, posted 4.9% gross domestic product (GDP) growth in 2004, over 3% growth in 2005 as well as 2006. Mexican economy grew by 3.0% in 2005 and 3.5% in 2006. After expanding by 9.0% in 2004, Argentina 's economy grew by another 7.5% in 2005 and 4.2% in 2006. Chile saw 6.1% GDP growth in 2004 and 5.9% in 2005, and 5.8% in 2006. Venezuela 's economy grew 17.9% in 2004, 7.8% in 2005 and 4.5% increase in 2006.

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Matt PET film offers excellent clarity which add value for packaging

Clarity and matt surface finish along with other inherent properties of oriented PET film increase its value for packaging business. A new PET film introduced by Toray, is co extruded and has excellent clarity. The incorporation of nano technology provides matt finish to PET film surface.

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Factors that affect odor and taste of contents due to plastics packaging

The aim of packaging is to minimize sensory changes as much as possible over the shelf lives of these products. Even as plastic packaging protects its contents, it can alter their taste and odor. Taste and odor are very important in packaging of foods, beverages, and other goods sensitive to taste and odor. Preserving the taste and odor of products in plastic packaging is a complex process that extends throughout a package's path from formulation to customer.

In most cases the change in taste and odor is of little consequence, but in some cases, the change can be critical. A glaring example is neutral products like bottled water that are especially susceptible to organoleptic influences. Organoleptic properties, ie additives, processing and storage of products, affect the odor and taste of plastic end products. Given the resources that food, beverage and other manufacturers expend in creating compelling products, it is of prime importance to them to avoid a plastic package alter the taste and odor.

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An inexpensive method to make water repellant polymer

Dutch researchers have discovered a quick and inexpensive method to make polymers water repellant. The process uses a special high-speed laser, called 'fematosecond laser', which shot short bursts of high-energy light at one-millionth of a billionth of a second onto a steel surface. At that high speed, the laser has very little time to melt the metal or produce craters.

With one burst, the fematosecond laser vaporizes a tiny spot about half the diameter of a human hair, and some billionth of a meter deep. By applying more pulses, one can create deeper holes and by careful arrangement of millions of laser bursts, it is possible to write the bumpy structure. During vaporization, tiny structures in the metal begin to grow. These substructures add a second roughness, which makes the surface super water repellent. This technique can easily be applied during injection moulding process. During process, while forcing molten polymer into the mould under high pressure, the molded product becomes water repellant.

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