From Rubber Tree to Rubber Tyre: A Brief History of Rubber
11.06.2025
Elastic, versatile, indispensable: rubber has had an amazing career – from ritual play ball of the Maya to vulcanisation in the industrial age to high-tech tyres on our roads. But with every kilometre driven, the ecological footprint also grows. Reason enough to take a look back at the eventful history of a special material that keeps us moving to this day.
The threat of new materials
09.06.2025
The launch of a new and experimental material feels like a daily occurrence. There seems to be no waste stream that isn’t fodder for potential new materials. Many years ago it started with wood chips mixed with plastic; now it’s anything from algae to tea leaves, Hackney street dirt to pineapple leaves. There are so many crafty innovations, it’s almost impossible to keep up.
Bionics in the Plastics Industry
28.05.2025
Bionics is the science that transfers natural principles to technical developments. This principle is also widely applied in the plastics and rubber industry. This is because nature offers fascinating role models when it comes to the challenges of sustainability, resource efficiency and material requirements.
New Method Enables Rapid Production of Polymer Nanostructures
26.05.2025
Researchers at the University of Birmingham have introduced a method for the rapid and scalable production of polymer nanostructures. Reducing synthesis time from a week to just three minutes, their breakthrough supports high-throughput manufacturing for advanced applications in healthcare, energy and materials science.
Plastic Batteries in the Focus of Research
21.05.2025
The demand for sustainable energy storage systems is growing. However, many conventional batteries rely on critical raw materials such as lithium. Prof Birgit Esser is researching an exciting alternative at the University of Ulm: plastic batteries.
RUDi as a Response to New Packaging Legislation: Reusable Solutions in Real-World Application
14.05.2025
Sustainability meets efficiency: The reusable display system RUDi has proven its worth in extensive trials with leading partners such as REWE, EDEKA, MARS, Schwartau, and Intersnack – and has been setting new standards at the point of sale since 2024.
Rethinking Skateboards: Plastic Composites Instead of Wood
23.04.2025
The skateboard start-up Kape has developed an innovative process for manufacturing skateboards from composite materials. KraussMaffei implemented the technical requirements for the mould carrier and supplied a specially customised machine. In a conversation with the responsible developers, we take a look at the origins and impact of this innovation.
Heads up! Novel Technology Redefining Holographic Windshield Displays
14.04.2025
A German-Scottish-US partnership has jointly developed technology that advances holographic transparent displays on vehicle windshields.
Plastics in the camping industry
12.03.2025
Plastics play a key role in the manufacture of camping products as they offer versatile properties that are essential for many products. Materials such as polyethylene, polypropylene and polyvinyl chloride (PVC) are used in tarpaulins, caravan covers, camping furniture and cookware and are characterised by their durability, lightness and weather resistance.
Sustainable Automotive Materials: SK chemicals and Hyundai Collaborate
24.02.2025
SK chemicals and Hyundai·Kia are driving sustainability in the automotive sector through innovative recycling technology. By incorporating circular and bio-based materials into Kia's EV3 Study Car, the collaboration paves the way for a more eco-friendly vehicle production model.
ESMA Academy: Inkjet know-how for the plastics industry
12.02.2025
The digital printing of plastics opens up numerous possibilities for individualization, efficien-cy and sustainability. Which materials are particularly suitable? And how can companies make the most of the potential of inkjet tech-nology? Answers to these questions are provided by the ESMA Academy, a training platform for professionals involved in industrial printing processes.
LG Chem and Reifenhäuser Advance MDO-PE Film Technology
24.01.2025
LG Chem and Reifenhäuser have partnered to develop innovative Machine Direction Oriented (MDO)-PE films. By combining advanced materials with cutting-edge extrusion technology, they aim to create cost-effective, recyclable solutions for flexible packaging—offering sustainability without compromising performance.
Packaging law and Recyclability
15.01.2025
Recyclability as the key to the circular economy: A reform of Section 21 of the German Packaging Act could ensure that ecological packaging is consistently preferred. Financial incentives and objective criteria play a key role in changing the market in the long term.
K meets MEDICA – TPU Films in Medical Wearables
20.12.2024
Covestro, a global player in the polymer industry and a major exhibitor at K, will be presenting its latest solutions made of thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) films at MEDICA 2024. These are increasingly being used in the manufacture of medical wearables.
The History of Plastics: Progress with Responsibility
16.12.2024
Plastics are omnipresent. From packaging and electronics to automobiles, this versatile material shapes our everyday lives. But where do plastics come from, and how have they evolved? We explore the history of plastics, from their origins in natural polymers to the modern plastics industry, increasingly focused on sustainability and circular economy.
Sustainable plastics for food packaging
22.11.2024
The plastic films used in the food industry continue to predominantly be made of conventional plastics such as polyethylene (PE) and polypropylene (PP). In 2022, packaging accounted for around 40 percent of total plastic consumption worldwide, with food packaging making up a significant share. One small bright spot is that in Europe, there is a growing trend towards using sustainable materials.
Opportunities and limitations of recyclates in medical technology
13.11.2024
One of the European Union's declared goals is sustainable development by 2030 - a development that does not stop at the medical technology industry. Gradical GmbH advises medical technology companies on the choice of materials for their applications.
From mechanical engineering studies to the award for young talent in plastics technology
16.10.2024
The more insights, the broader the knowledge and experience - that's what Marcel Piechnik realized during his studies. At the same time, he discovered his enthusiasm for plastics. In many different areas, he has deepened his insights into plastics and their variety.
Rubik's Cube turns 50: A plastic cube that keeps the world spinning
11.09.2024
Rubik's Cube is celebrating its 50th anniversary. Today it is made of plastic (some of it even recycled) and is as popular as it was on the first day.
Making Blister Packaging More Sustainable
21.08.2024
During the last allergy season, they may have ended up in your garbage once again: Blister packs. And you may have noticed how few tablets there are in a comparatively large pack. Not particularly sustainable, is it? That's what Olivia Falconnier Williams thought, too, and she set about researching how the packaging could be made more resource-efficient.
Formula Student puts plastics in the fast lane
07.08.2024
Once a year, students from all over the world meet at Germany’s world-famous Hockenheim Ring (Germany) to compete against each other in single-seater race cars made of plastic. In addition to the performance of the cars in various disciplines such as cornering, acceleration and energy consumption, the jury also evaluates the design of the cars, the teams' cost planning and sales presentation.
Jogging shoes and co.: plastics in sportswear
31.07.2024
The right outfit for every sport. Even for a short jog after work, sports enthusiasts can access sophisticated equipment. From breathable sports shirts and cooling running tights to running shoes. The choice is diverse. However, there is one unifying factor that most models have in common - plastics are used in their manufacture.
Stadium seats for the Olympic Games made from plastic waste
17.07.2024
For Marius Hamelot, the 2024 Summer Olympics in France will provide a glimpse into his vision of turning trash into treasure. An architect and entrepreneur, the 29-year-old Hamelot has been working for several years to transform waste plastic collected in local Parisian neighborhoods into high-quality, durable products.
Closing the loop: turning old tires into new car parts
15.07.2024
In an ambitious move towards sustainability, Covestro, Neste, and Borealis have joined forces to revolutionize the recycling of discarded tires into high-quality automotive parts. This collaboration marks a significant step in driving circularity within the plastics and automotive industries.
3D printing: manufacturing eye prostheses from plastic
12.06.2024
Plastic eye prostheses: Lightweight, robust and natural in appearance - and now available via 3D printing. Find out more here!
Artistic duo brings Lucite and epoxy to life
05.06.2024
The Como, Italy-based design studio of Draga & Aurel is using transparent acrylic sheets, epoxy resin, light and color to create visually striking collections of high-end furniture. They just unveiled two such collections, called Flare and Glaze, done exclusively for specific galleries.
Customized, 3D-printed bike helmets offer comfort and safety
13.05.2024
The Californian company KAV offers customized headwear in collaboration with Jabil.
Renewable plastic for workboat hulls
15.04.2024
Aquaculture takes a sustainable leap forward with the unveiling of a groundbreaking workboat hull constructed from renewable plastic. Borealis and AKVA group will introduce this innovation in Mo i Rana, Norway, in Spring 2024, marking a significant milestone for circularity in marine technology.
All-Electric Injection Molding for Thin-Wall Packaging
08.04.2024
Heinrich Axmann GmbH & Co. KG in Cologne, Germany, has made a significant shift towards sustainability by adopting an all-electric injection molding machine, the EcoPower Xpress, provided by WITTMANN. This move has led to a reduction in energy consumption by over 30% for producing thin-walled packaging, marking a significant step towards eco-friendly production methods.
SABIC: Advancing PFAS-Free Material Solutions
22.03.2024
SABIC unveils an expansion of its LNP™ LUBRILOY™ portfolio with innovative internally lubricated compounds, offering high-performance alternatives to PTFE-lubricated materials. This development addresses regulatory and health concerns over PFAS, positioning SABIC as a leader in sustainable material solutions.
BASF and Inditex promote sustainable fashion with loopamid®
12.02.2024
The textile industry is facing major changes in sustainability, led by BASF and Inditex through the launch of loopamid®, a new technology for textile-to-textile recycling. This initiative represents a significant step towards a Circular Economy by offering a sustainable solution for the reuse of polyamide 6 (PA6), also known as nylon 6, from textile waste.
BEAD.MACHINE sets new standards in particle foam processing
31.01.2024
Particle foam offers a wide range of applications - from automotive to packaging and lifestyle. The BEAD.MACHINE from Siegfried Hofmann GmbH marks a significant advance in the processing of this versatile class of materials: it enables the efficient production of complex moulded particle foam parts, setting new standards in terms of product quality and environmental friendliness.
Laboratory extruder relaunched: ZE 28 BluePower
22.12.2023
KraussMaffei Extrusion GmbH recently presented the ZE 28 BluePower high-performance laboratory extruder in a new design. Higher efficiency, shorter delivery times and greater cost-effectiveness were the focus of this development.
Repsol strengthens its alliance with Pontegadea through a 618 MW renewable portfolio
22.12.2023
Repsol has formed a new alliance with Pontegadea, incorporating them as a partner with a 49% stake in a portfolio of renewable assets valued at €740 million. This partnership strengthens Repsol's strategy of bringing in investors to accelerate their renewable energy goals, which include reaching 6,000 MW of installed generation by 2025 and 20,000 MW by 2030.
Acrylic glass under the magnifying glass: investigating the causes after the Aquadom burst
16.12.2023
Why? This question was asked by the public, media and experts a year ago. On 16 December 2022 in the early hours of the morning, the Aquadom, the world's largest free-standing cylindrical aquarium, which had previously been located in the Radisson Hotel in Berlin, burst. Prof Dr Christian Bonten, Head of the Institute of Plastics Technology (IKT), was called in as an expert to determine the cause.
Particle foam perfectly distributed thanks to simulation with Ultrasim®
15.12.2023
BASF SE's Ultrasim® simulation portfolio for plastics applications is now also available for manufacturing processes of components made of particle foam components. The application starts with the expanded thermoplastic polyurethane (E-TPU) Infinergy® and expands BASF's proven simulation portfolio for plastics innovations
From chaos to creation: How composites transform unsorted plastic waste into useful products
05.12.2023
Geoff Germon has not only recognized the problem of plastic waste in Fiji, but also wants to help the locals tackle this problem and build a sustainable business at the same time. His approach starts with a simple plastic pole.
Play-Tec® PCR awarded with "Blue Angel"
20.11.2023
The company Röchling SE & Co. KG offers its Play-Tec® PCR recycled plastic, a construction material for the sustainable design of long-lasting playgrounds. This has now been awarded the Blue Angel eco-label in the category "Environmentally friendly recycled plastics" (DE-ZU 30a).
ENGEL Software: Driving Digital Transformation in Injection Molding
20.11.2023
ENGEL is gradually expanding its customer portal e-connect into a production portal. In addition, a solution from the inject 4.0 family for bidirectional data exchange between simulation and injection molding machine has been expanded and now also works with MOLDEX3D.
Circular Economy in the canteen: Start-up develops reusable containers for the catering industry
15.11.2023
We all know the image: urban rubbish bins overflowing with disposable packaging. The Corona pandemic has made this problem more visible. The start-up MealGood has made it its mission to counter the throwaway mentality by developing bio-based reusable containers for the catering industry.
Recyclable, repairable and robust: New epoxy resin for the circular economy
02.11.2023
Epoxy resins are used in combination with glass or carbon fibres to make components for aircraft, cars, trains, ships and more. Empa researchers have now developed the first fire-resistant epoxy resin-based plastic that is recyclable.
Plastic Recycling: Plastic Waste Becomes Furniture
25.10.2023
Millions of tonnes of waste end up in our environment every year. This problem is particularly tangible in the global south. But innovative approaches and creative solutions can make a difference. Johannes Kastner focuses on one such solution: combining plastic recycling and design to not only combat the waste problem but also create social added value.
Sabic and Partners Introduce First In-Mold Labeling Solution with Certified Renewable Polymers for Food Packaging Containers
20.10.2023
SABIC has partnered with specialists to demonstrate the use of certified renewable polypropylene in in-mold labeled packaging, offering sustainability and recyclability without compromising quality. This technology provides cost-effective, visually appealing packaging with a low environmental impact, benefiting brand owners and reducing carbon footprint.
From the children's room to a Circular Economy: Sustainable materials for the toys of the future
18.10.2023
Children can best bring their fantasy world to life with toy figures. Although the miniatures have already been passed down from generation to generation, Schleich is now saying "There's more!" and opting for a green transformation. A key challenge: to balance durability and environmental friendliness without compromising on quality.
BASF publishes Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) study on polyamides from chemically recycled or renewable raw materials in mozzarella packaging
10.10.2023
BASF has published a life cycle assessment study on the environmental impact of mozzarella packaging that examines different sustainable raw materials for food-grade plastics. Flexible multilayer packaging with recycled or renewable raw materials has a significantly lower environmental impact compared to packaging made from fossil raw materials.
Thermoplastics in aircraft construction – less weight, more future
20.09.2023
Every gram counts: In aviation, a weight reduction of just one kilogram can save up to 25,000 litres of fuel annually. Plastics can be the key to this. The DLR uses carbon fibre-reinforced thermoplastics to make aircraft fuselages more resource-efficient. Within the framework of the Large Passenger Aircraft project, fundamentally new technologies have even been developed for this purpose.
New GENBETA car developed by Formula E and its innovation partner SABIC shatters Guinness World Records™ title
19.09.2023
SABIC's materials contributed to the GENBETA car setting an indoor speed record at the 2023 Hankook London E-Prix, with driver Jake Hughes reaching 218.71KPH. These materials, including thermoplastics, enhanced the car's performance, aligning with SABIC's commitment to electrification and sustainability in partnership with Formula E.
Intelligent rubber materials
12.09.2023
Materials scientists at the University of Stuttgart and pharmacists at the University of Tübingen have developed smart polymer materials that can autonomously adapt to environmental conditions, making them ideal for soft robotics and exoskeletons.
Yogurt cup becomes yogurt cup: Design for Recycling as the key to a Circular Economy
06.09.2023
The need to recycle plastic packaging is at the heart of current environmental efforts. This is not just about recycling, but about a genuine circular economy. Monomaterial packaging and smart design decisions play a crucial role here. Greiner Packaging demonstrates how this can look in practice.
Lower carbon footprint with proven high performance: Röhm launches PLEXIGLAS® proTerra molding compounds in the market
02.08.2023
Röhm expands its product family with PLEXIGLAS® proTerra molding compounds that reduce the carbon footprint. The company offers two ways to reduce the product carbon footprint: PLEXIGLAS® proTerra M5 contains recycled PMMA, while PLEXIGLAS® proTerra 8N replaces fossil raw materials with sustainable, certified raw materials.
Design4Recycling: flat plastic bottle for sustainable wine enjoyment
11.07.2023
If wine bottles were designed for the first time today, they would look different – the British start-up Packamama is sure of that. Especially in view of the climate crisis, packaging needs to be rethought. This is how Packamama's flat plastic bottle came into being, which is not only highly sustainable but also makes quite a visual impact.
Israeli startup babyark propelling car seat safety to new heights
23.06.2023
Fourteen years ago, Shy Mindel, a technically adept aeronautical engineer, struggled in a parking lot for 25 minutes to install the car seats for his newborn twins. He figured that if he found this task difficult, then others must do so, as well – and that there must be a better way.
Lightweight construction: customised thermoplastic fibre composite profiles enable more sustainable flying
12.06.2023
When flying, every gram determines the fuel consumption of the aircraft. To make air travel more climate-friendly, aircraft must become lighter. This can be achieved with components made of plastic, especially fibre composites. The start-up herone produces such. The special thing about them: They are thermoplastic fibre composite profiles with customised properties.
Luminescent solar collectors: Silicone makes power generation more flexible and colourful
22.05.2023
Plastics contribute to climate protection. As fibre-reinforced plastics for wind turbines or films for solar cells, they already play an important role in power generation from renewable energies. But the conventional solutions are not equally suitable for every area of application. This is where a new type of material comes into play that was developed at Saarland University.
PackTheFuture Award 2023: These are the winners!
12.05.2023
56 entries, 10 winners, 1 special prize and 1 honourable mention - that's the positive balance of the PackTheFuture Award 2023. The results were announced at the award ceremony at interpack in Düsseldorf. The award honours innovative and sustainable packaging solutions made of plastic.
"Wonder Matter(s)" – Plastics at Milan Design Week 2023
12.04.2023
Plastic is a wonderful material. It can take on almost any shape, colour and texture. This versatility opens up countless possibilities for designers. This is also proven by the exhibition "Wonder Matter(s)", which will take place during the Milan Design Week 2023 and in which innovative plastics will be presented in partly extraordinary installations.
Parcel logistics: the future belongs to reusable plastic boxes
29.03.2023
Cardboard dominates parcel logistics. Shrinkage and return transport costs have so far been too big hurdles for reusable containers made of plastic, even though there is a lot to be said for them in terms of sustainability. BOOXit overcomes these hurdles – and adds one on top: the reusable system is not only sustainable, but also robot-compatible.
Sustainable plastic packaging: AI supports design and production
15.03.2023
Plastic packaging made from recycled material? Yes, but please as high quality as possible – and recyclable! This poses great challenges for manufacturers, because the use of recycled materials still often leads to downcycling. One key to more sustainable plastic packaging lies in digitalisation. This is also where the KIOptiPack project comes in.
Stable yet degradable: researchers develop chemical pre-determined breaking points in polymer chains
08.03.2023
We encounter high-density polyethylene (HDPE) every day, for example as detergent packaging or films. HDPE is particularly stable and resistant. In terms of sustainability, however, it still has a long way to go, because its high stability is often accompanied by poor degradability.
Bioplastics for medicine: sustainability and quality in harmony
17.02.2023
The healthcare field produces lots of medical plastic waste. The idea of designing medical products with sustainability in mind is certainly not new. However, medical-grade plastic materials must meet strict regulatory requirements, often prompting the aspect of sustainability to take a back seat.
Back to the cycle: #tide turns ocean plastic into high-quality recyclates
15.02.2023
Plastic is a resource without which our life today would not be possible - and thanks to recycling, we can even use it several times over. However, we know from reports what can happen if the recycling process does not run properly: the plastic sometimes ends up in the sea. Getting it back into circulation from there and turning it into a usable product is not easy.
Automated simulation software creates a world map of polymer properties
14.02.2023
"Materials informatics (MI), a new branch of materials research that combines materials data with data science, is gaining traction," said co-corresponding author Yoshihiro Hayashi, assistant professor, Institute of Statistical Mathematics in the Research Organization of Information and Science (ROIS).
Bio-based flame retardants for bioplastics in electrical engineering and electronics
06.02.2023
Fraunhofer researchers, in collab with industrial partners, have achieved initial success in the development of bio-based flame retardants in bioplastics. In the future, it could therefore be possible to utilize plastics in electronics and electrical engineering that consist of 100% bio-based materials. Processing was tested by means of compounding, injection molding and additive manufacturing.
Performance meets circularity: fibre-reinforced plastics become recyclable
27.01.2023
Recycled plastics are often less efficient than new plastics. But they can be upgraded - namely by using fibre composites. In turn, they make the plastics difficult to recycle. The All-Polymer project shows how both are possible: high-performance materials and a closed cycle.
Silicone sponge captures unknown bacteria
23.01.2023
Microorganisms populate nearly any habitat, no matter how hostile it is. Their great variety of survival strategies is of huge potential in biotechnology. Most of these organisms, however, are unknown, because they cannot be cultivated. To make better use of this "microbial dark matter", the KIT) has now developed a "sponge" made of porous, formable silicone.
A loyal companion: LVR Museum shows development of plastics over time
10.01.2023
Plastics are part of our lives - yesterday, today and tomorrow. The LVR Museum in Oberhausen, Germany, has dedicated an entire exhibition to plastics: "Class and Mass" comprises over 20,000 objects from the collection of the German Plastics Museum, which have been on permanent loan in Oberhausen since 2017 - it is the largest collection on the subject of plastics in Germany.
ProQuIV optimizes the production of nonwoven masks
09.01.2023
Producing infection control clothing requires a lot of energy and uses lots of material resources. Fraunhofer researchers have now developed a technology which helps to save materials and energy when producing nonwovens. A digital twin controls key manufacturing process parameters on the basis of mathematical modeling.
From old to new: Evonik produces PEBA from used tires
03.01.2023
Many raw materials deserve a second life, and especially in view of resource conservation and the circular economy, the reuse of raw materials is particularly important. Evonik shows how it's done: The company produces PA-12 elastomers from old tires.
Plastics Shape the Car of the Future – Wonderfully Versatile!
17.11.2022
The versatility of plastic is one of its strongest characteristics, and it makes it particularly popular amongst designers. Plastic is also a favored material for BASF's design team: in collaboration with Citroën, the chemical company rethought the classic car - with plastic as the central building block that made the implementation of the innovative concept possible in the first place.
First Boeing 777 with AeroSHARK takes off on passenger flights
15.11.2022
The first Boeing operated by Swiss International Air Lines (SWISS) took off on a passenger flight equipped with the new Surface technology developed jointly by Lufthansa Technik and BASF. Modified aircraft now begins validation of savings potential in daily flight operations. The fuel and emissions savings of around one percent calculated.
Building and construction sector: An industry relies on plastics
08.11.2022
Polymers are as diverse as their chemical composition. Plastics come in hard, soft, flexible, brittle, opaque, transparent - just as required. They impress with their durability, cost-effectiveness, impermeability to water, high formability, corrosion resistance and low weight. This makes them the ideal building material - and an environmentally friendly alternative to other materials.
"We are looking at how to redesign products and how to re-use parts of them"
21.10.2022
Shining light on why plastics turn yellow
21.10.2022
A research team has investigated whether intended nanostructures formed by UV light could be the cause of yellowing of polyethylene. The result was that chiral chemical structures form on the surfaces of polyethylene films during exposure to UV light and are a possible cause of the yellow color of old plastics. These findings could help researchers develop plastic products that last longer.
"Designers love solving problems."
14.10.2022
Sue Neuhauser and Page Beermann of Faraday Future talk about the opportunities for CMF in the automotive industry.
"CMF has an opportunity to really understand all those different consumers"
21.09.2022
Falza Khanani talks about the different possibilites of Color, Material and Finish design.
Gorgeous plastics – circular aesthetics
14.09.2022
Few materials can compete with plastics when it comes to functional versatility, but the same can also be said for creating aesthetic expressions with plastics. At a time when they are often associated with generally negative press most consumer brands want to shy away from it is a material family. It needs to readdress the balance and play to more durable, higher-value stories.
Smart textiles sense how their users are moving
22.08.2022
Researchers from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology develop a comfortable, form-fitting fabric that recognizes its wearer's activities, like walking, running, and jumping. Through the process of thermoforming, the researchers were able to significantly improve the precision of pressure sensors woven into multilayer knitted textiles, which they call 3DKnITS.
BASF's IrgaCycle™ stabilizes recycled plastics used to protect pineapples from sunburn in Malaysia
20.08.2022
The two companies BASF and 3T Industries Sdn Bhd are helping pineapple plantations in Malaysia to increase yields and conserve resources. 3T Industries has used BASF's IrgaCycle™ UV033 DD to improve the production of 100% recycled high-density polyethylene (HDPE) sheets to protect pineapples from solar radiation.
Sustainable cellulose start-up Naturbeads is poised to scale up
03.08.2022
Naturbeads, a company that aims to replace plastic microbeads with sustainable alternatives, will expand its work. It has been helped by a recent £1.3 million (€1.5 million) funding round. Naturbeads has developed cellulose-based products that can be used in cosmetics, paints, coatings, additives for the oil and gas industry, packaging and composites.
Functional plastics – designing for circularity
27.07.2022
Few, if any, materials can compete with plastics in terms of adaptability and versatility – many different material properties can be derived from the same basic chemistry, meaning that complex product assemblies can be made with a single type of plastic.
A guide to sustainable plastics
27.07.2022
As a designer, plastics and sustainability can be difficult to navigate. There are so many parameters to consider – from the origin and environmental footprint of raw materials to the durability and quality of specific materials and maximising the chances of recovery and recycling at the end of life of plastics products.
Fly me to the moon: how high-performance plastics contribute to radiation protection in space
26.07.2022
When it comes to the use of high-performance plastics in space, you probably first think of spacesuits or lightweight components. But there is another area of application: radiation protection. Space radiation is a risk to humans that should not be underestimated. In the MARE experiment, this risk is to be determined in order to develop protective measures for future space flights.
North American plastics sector holds steady, while riding a roller-coaster of uncertainty
08.07.2022
The pandemic. Supply chain ruptures. The Great Resignation. China trade tensions. Climate change and extreme weather events. Soaring inflation. Stock market volatility. The war in Ukraine. Seldom in our lifetimes have we experienced such an extended period of disruption and uncertainty.
SK chemicals realizes good takeout with Dodori Cup made from Ecozen
21.06.2022
SK chemicals is planning a Realization of zero waste with Ecozen reusable cups that are used and returned. 5,000 so called Dodori cups used in this project are made from Ecozen.
Integrated electronics make for sleek, smart surfaces
08.03.2022
Technological advances and evolving user preferences are redefining the look (and feel) of future electronic devices. Some examples were on display at the big CES 2022 consumer technology show in Las Vegas during the first week of January.
That smells nice: GRAFE adds fragrance to plastics
23.02.2022
It’s instantly recognizable, even with your eyes closed: that unmistakable “new car smell”. Granted, it’s not necessarily a scent everyone loves, prompting many to reach for alternative air fresheners. But what if you could avoid unpleasant odors right at the factory source - and not just when it comes to cars, but other products as well?
Dishwasher components made from recycled plastic
01.02.2022
Recyclable furniture from the creative workshop
24.01.2022
Plastic is a versatile material that can be used for a wide variety of projects. What's more, it is reusable and can be given new forms – so it can be given a second life in the sense of the circular economy. In the plastikfabrik in Saarbrücken (Germany), Daniela and Pascal Becher breathe such a second life into plastic.
Using circular economy principles to recycle toys
28.12.2021
Many of us are familiar with this scene in our children’s bedrooms: when the kids have outgrown their toys, the latter typically get boxed up until we finally take heart and purge them. But it doesn’t have to be that way: the initiative of the HolyPoly company takes recycling steps to create new toys – that look slightly different.
"The process window is very narrow and must be exactly controlled."
08.12.2021
What are the parameters that actually matter when it comes to wear protection? An interview with Anna Rottstegge, Head of Research & Development at Reifenhäuser Reiloy.
Special concrete additive made in Costa Rica
29.11.2021
The Center for Regenerative Design and Collaboration (CRDC) in Costa Rica aims to turn plastic waste into a valuable resource for the construction industry.
What recycled plastic can do: Blocks made from biocomposites for the "Classrooms of Hope" in Indonesia
17.11.2021
There is much discussion these days about the circular economy, and the means for incorporating plastics into this model. Recycling a used plastic bottle back into a clean, new bottle has some obvious environmental advantages. But a much more impactful model, in many cases, would involve turning tons of discarded plastics into products with a very long lifespan.
Clean room production of breast implants
14.09.2021
The Fraunhofer IPT has teamed up with BelloSeno GmbH to study biocompatible implants that are made using 3D printing. Kai Janning from the Fraunhofer IPT describes the conditions a medical device production facility must meet and reveals the latest successes of the researchers.
Material development: getting there faster with co-pilot AI
24.08.2021
General conditions for chemical and materials companies are changing rapidly. But the thorough research, development and commercialization of new materials can be lengthy. AI can accelerate this process.
Printed polymers with active ingredient
20.07.2021
3D printing can be used to produce versatile, individual shapes. This type of extrusion process is therefore not only popular in the plastics industry – it is also suitable for medical technology applications. Only the right polymers have to be found first.
Do it Yourself plastic anno 1530
09.06.2021
Instructions for the production of artificial cow horn. Almost 500 years old is the recipe for the production of artificial horn and thus currently the oldest known German recipe for plastic.
Polypropylene recycling from carpet waste
07.06.2021
A significant part of carpet waste consists of petroleum-based polypropylene. As a non-recyclable product, disposing of it has previously meant incineration or landfill. However, a new solvent is now making it possible to recover virgin-standard polypropylene from carpet waste — with no perceptible reduction in quality.
VYTAL: the first digital reusable system for Take Away
27.05.2021
Today, the kitchen stays cold: if you don't feel like cooking, you simply have something delivered. However, the meals often come in disposable packaging that only has a short lifespan. This bothered the founders of VYTAL, who developed a deposit-free reusable system. They prove that plastic and sustainability are not necessarily mutually exclusive.
Protective polymers
21.12.2020
Restrictions have been imposed to prevent the spread of the SARS-CoV-2 virus. Wearing a mouth and nose mask is part of this, as is avoiding and reducing social contact and maintaining safe distances up to more far-reaching quarantine measures. Where it is difficult to keep a distance, plastics fulfil a key barrier and protective function.
Plastics make the mannequins’ world go round!
22.05.2020
Display mannequin manufacturers have not only been creative in terms of design. Resource-saving operations have also ranked very high on their agendas for years. There has been in-depth research in developing materials and processes and plastics continue to play a leading role.
A look at the shifting trends in additive manufacturing
22.05.2020
20 years of experience in design innovations
30.06.2019
Alastair Curtis is chief design officer at Logitech, where he is responsible for the designs of all business teams and brands. Since joining the company in 2013, Alastair is assigned to rethink and remodel all innovations of Logitech as well as to work on building, sustaining and promoting a design team and culture in the company.