Plastics: GLRPPR Sector Resources

News: Toray Succeeds in Production of Bio-Based PBT

Mon, 29 Apr 2013 21:51:13 GMT

In California, Toray Industries announced that it has successfully made a partially bio-based PBT (polybutylene terephthalate) using 1,4-butanediol (BDO) made with Genomatica's bio-based process technology. Toray is the first company to publicly confirm successful PBT polymerization of BDO made with Genomatica's process technology, and was the first company, in February 2011, to make PBT 'pellets' using BDO made with Genomatica's bio-based process technology. Yep, that's polybutylene terephthalate, and no, it's not a small furry animal from the Jurassic period. It's a plastic resin found in electrical connectors and plugs, automobile parts such as switches and ignition coils, keyboard caps, bobbins, showerheads, and lately has been found in plastic chopsticks. It has good electrical properties, mechanical properties such as tensile strength and tensile elasticity and well-balanced physical properties such as heat resistance. It's marketed as Toraycon by Toray, Arnite (DSM), Crastin (DuPont), Pocan (Lanxess), Ultradur (BASF), Valox (SABIC Innovative Plastics) and VESTODUR (Evonik Degussa) -- just to name a few industrial brands. Currently, regular PBT resin is produced using petroleum-based ingredients.

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News: Simon Malls Develop 'Plastic Room' to Bale Plastic for Sale, Recycling

Thu, 18 Apr 2013 19:11:09 GMT

Properties owned by Indianapolis-based real estate company Simon Property Group Inc. have begun collecting and baling clear plastic packaging materials -- such as individual plastic bags that contain the clothing that is delivered to the malls -- for recycling.

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News: EPA OKs Recycling Plastics from Shredder Residue

Wed, 17 Apr 2013 17:27:55 GMT

Facilities are now allowed to recycle plastics separated from automobile shredder residue, according to the EPA's new interpretation of existing regulations.

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News: Toxic chemicals turn up in Great Lakes plastic pollution

Tue, 09 Apr 2013 21:09:54 GMT

Toxic chemicals clinging to plastics could cause health problems for fish and other organisms in the Great Lakes.

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News: Can Fungi Replace Plastics? Maybe, Say Researchers

Tue, 26 Mar 2013 21:30:22 GMT

Fungi, with the exception of shitake and certain other mushrooms, tend to be something we associate with moldy bread or dank-smelling mildew. But they really deserve more respect. Fungi have fantastic capabilities and can be grown, under certain circumstances, in almost any shape and be totally biodegradable. And, if this weren't enough, they might have the potential to replace plastics one day. The secret is in the mycelia.

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News: Turning Trash into Cash . . . and Saving Energy

Tue, 26 Mar 2013 21:25:39 GMT

Researchers at Michigan Technological University are looking to milk jugs as a way for 3D printing to gain more widespread use. To make this practical, the research group created the RecycleBot, a device that melts the plastic (after it has been washed and the labels have been removed) and turns it into a long, thin string of plastic filament.

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News: Plastic pollution not just a problem in oceans, but in Great Lakes

Wed, 20 Mar 2013 22:32:29 GMT

Scientists have conducted extensive research on the plastic-filled gyres of the ocean. This past summer, however, researchers decided to look inland for the first time and measure plastic pollution in the Great Lakes. Some of the groups' water samples had concentrations of plastic greater than those found anywhere else. The study has resulted in several other projects. Chemistry professor Dr. Sherri Mason discusses the plastic pollution in the basin.

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News: Biocompatible plastics and their importance in the medical device industry

Wed, 20 Mar 2013 15:50:58 GMT

Plastics have paved their way into every aspect of human life due to their unique properties of malleability, easily changeable shapes and forms and low cost of production. Significant developments in plastics technology have coincided with the advent of innovative medical devices -- pacemakers, stents and hip-replacement devices -- which have enabled medical solutions for all kinds of ailments and impairments. Despite their ease of use, plastics can bring the risk of health and environmental hazards that can undermine all medical efforts unless treated minutely at first. Hence, the need for biocompatibility which can reduce these risks and enable us to fully derive the benefits.

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News: How milk jugs can make 3D printing cheaper

Wed, 06 Mar 2013 15:58:45 GMT

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News: Japanese research team produces Euglena-based bioplastic

Fri, 18 Jan 2013 21:01:30 GMT

Japanese researchers have developed a bioplastic material derived from the microorganism Euglena and compounds obtained from cashew nut shells. According to information released by Japan-based Advanced Low Carbon Technology Research and Development Program (ALCA), the resulting plastic contains 70 percent plant-derived components. The study was conducted as part of the development of low carbon technologies under the Japan Science and Technology Agency.

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