An MIT team has found a way to transform the most widely used polymer, polyethylene, into a material that conducts heat just as well as most metals, yet remains an electrical insulator. The new process causes the polymer to conduct heat very efficiently in just one direction, unlike metals, which conduct equally well in all directions.

Eataly, the world's largest wine and food market, is phasing out traditional plastic carrier bags and adopting biodegradable and compostable bags and disposable tableware in Mater-Bi. Mater-Bi® is the family of bioplastics developed and marketed by Novamont which is naturally biodegradable and compostable in accordance with European regulations UNI EN 13432 and UNI EN 14995.

A Colorado-based manufacturer has incorporated iglide® plastic plain bearings from igus® into its high-end, telemark ski-bindings, which has both created a more reliable product and virtually eliminated maintenance requirements. iglide L280 bearings are used in the knuckle, which enables the heel of the skier's boot to raise and lower with each turn.

Well in time for Chinaplas (Shanghai, 19th to 22nd April 2010), Coperion has increased the specific torque of its STS advanced compounding extruder by 15%. Thanks to this increase in torque, standard twin screw (STS) compounders achieve not only an improvement in product quality but also an up to 20% higher output.

Toho Tenax Co., Ltd., the core company of Teijin's carbon fibers business, has introduced a carbon fiber fabric that is less than half the weight of conventional lightest carbon fiber fabrics. The new fabric, developed with Sakai Ovex Co., Ltd., is used for forming prepregs, will help further reduce the weight of composite products.

With its long-standing experience in the processing of vegetable raw materials, Arkema now partners the EuroBioRef (European Multilevel Integrated Biorefinery Design for Sustainable Biomass Processing) and BIOCORE (Biocommodity Refinery) projects. Both programs involve many partners from 20 countries who specialize in the entire biomass transformation process.

Hyundai and BASF are presenting their jointly developed i-flow concept car at the Geneva Motor Show. Visitors can get a first-hand view of the technologies and materials involved at Hyundai's booth 1031 in Hall 1. These innovations have not been combined in automobiles to date and illustrate possibilities for mobility in the future.

A compact, lightweight lithium-polymer onboard battery pack designed and assembled by Lux Aviation using Bayer MaterialScience's Makroblend® EL703 polycarbonate/polyethylene terephthalate polyester (PC/PET) blend is the driving force behind the small pneumatic driver intended to power the Total Artificial Heart.

Nanocyl has reached an agreement with 3B for the joint development of innovative CNT glass fibers for the growing thermoplastic and structural composite markets. The new CNT glass fibers will provide both the electrical conductivity and the improved shear, impact and de-lamination properties for developing the next generation of composite materials.

REHAU provides the RAUGEO™ ground loop heat exchange system as a high-efficiency geothermal energy source for heating and cooling. Composed of RAUGEO PEXa pipe, EVERLOC® fittings, geothermal manifolds and a horizontal or vertical ground loop heat exchanger, the system capitalizes on the earth's ability to provide and store heat energy.

The sportiest and most powerful motorcycle from BMW, the new S 1000 RR, draws its combustion air from an intake system with a built-in air filter function made from Ultramid® B3WGM24 HP, an extremely dimensionally stable polyamide (PA) from BASF. In motorcycle design, this component is called an airbox.

Kuraray Plastics Co., Ltd. has developed the industry's first flameproof duct to not incorporate glass wool. The new duct will add a high degree of fire resistance to existing super flame-resistant ducts used in building air conditioning systems. The new duct features a unique design and is more efficient to install owing to its easy-cut propensity.

Technical plastics, used as construction materials and modern linings or coatings have become essential features of plant engineering. The Munich International Congress on March 10th and 11th 2010 will review these materials, the use of plastics in potentially explosive atmospheres, in particular fluoropolymers such as Kynar® and welding technologies.

Solutia Inc. announced that it has reached a definitive agreement to purchase Etimex Solar GmbH, a wholly owned subsidiary of Etimex Holding GmbH, which is controlled by funds affiliated with Alpha Gruppe. Etimex Solar is a leading supplier of ethylene vinyl acetate (EVA) encapsulants to the photovoltaic market.

Ticona announced the availability of Fortron® 6162XF, a mineral/glass-reinforced polyphenylene sulfide(PPS) with superior fuel resistance for customers that are developing applications for use in aggressive fuels. The new advanced fuel resistant Fortron PPS grade has reduced weight gain by more than 45 percent compared to Fortron 6165A6.