As lighting technology and design continue to advance, lighting professionals are seeking materials that meet rigorous technical specifications and appeal to the eye. Bayer MaterialScience LLC offers architects, designers, engineers and other lighting professionals diverse solutions to emerging functional and aesthetic needs — a robust selection of light-managing polycarbonate plastics, films and sheet materials, complemented by deep technical and application expertise.

According to a new IHS Chemical (NYSE: IHS) global market research report, mounting consumer pressure and legislation such as plastic bag bans and global warming initiatives will increase demand for biodegradable polymers (plastics) in North America, Europe and Asia from 269 thousand metric tons (KMT) in 2012 to nearly 525 KMT in 2017, representing an average annual growth rate of nearly 15 percent during the five-year period 2012-2017.

Evonik Cyro recently launched ACRYLITE® LED Whites, a new line of ACRYLITE® LED acrylic molding and extrusion compounds specifically designed for backlit LED lighting applications, at the 2013 LightFair International Conference in Philadelphia, Pa. ACRYLITE® LED acrylic compounds are used for applications and designs with intense LED® light sources. With the addition of Whites to the ACRYLITE® LED series, customers have a specifically formulated option for backlit applications.

A team of Virginia Tech researchers has succeeded in transforming cellulose into starch, a process that has the potential to provide a previously untapped nutrient source from plants not traditionally thought of as food crops. Y.H. Percival Zhang, an associate professor of biological systems engineering in the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences and the College of Engineering, led a team of researchers in the project that could help feed a global population expected to swell to 9 billion by 2050. Starch is one of the most important components of the human diet and provides 20 to 40 percent of our daily caloric intake.

Jeffrey H. Helms, Ph.D., global automotive OEM manager — Ticona, the engineering polymers business of Celanese Corporation, will deliver a keynote speech on "Navigating Global Regulations & Specifications — Materials Supplier Perspective" at the 8th Annual SPE® Automotive Engineering Plastics Conference (AutoEPCON) on Tuesday, April 30, in Troy, Mich. Helms will highlight various government and automotive industry standards — fuel economy, light weighting, volatile organic compounds — and how Ticona is helping global OEMs meet these initiatives.

Cereplast, Inc., one of the leading manufacturers of proprietary biobased, compostable and sustainable bioplastics, recently cited that the Supreme Court of India is moving toward stronger legislation to control the country's plastic pollution problem. Cereplast has begun receiving orders and payment for Compostable 3002 for the manufacture of single-use bags, and expects to receive more orders for this material in the near future.

Maguire Products, Inc. has recently announced that it has streamlined the operation of its unique system for transforming purging into regrind, making possible an increase in throughput of 20% and production of finer and more uniform granulate with less dusting. The enhancements to the Maguire® Purging Recovery System&trdae; (PRS&trdae;) have also increased the efficiency of granulating polystyrene, flexible vinyl, and other polymers that might otherwise melt or degrade under the shear forces of size reduction, causing backup or clumping that shuts the system down.

A new chemical process can transform waste sulfur into a lightweight plastic that may improve batteries for electric cars, reports a University of Arizona-led team. The new plastic has other potential uses, including optical uses. The team has successfully used the new plastic to make lithium-sulfur batteries. "We've developed a new, simple and useful chemical process to convert sulfur into a useful plastic," lead researcher Jeffrey Pyun said.

Cascades' new EVOK™, the first polystyrene foam food tray in North America made with recycled material, can now be found on the grocery shelves of an important Canadian distributor. EVOK™ was created to package meat, poultry, fish, vegetables, and fresh fruit. Cascades is proud to offer this innovative new product and reaffirm its position as one of the leaders in packaging that respects the environment.

Dow Corning, one of the global leaders in silicones, silicon-based technology and innovation, introduces at LIGHTFAIR® International 2013 [Apr 21-25] its new Dow Corning® Dispensable Thermal Pads, an innovative technology developed for more cost-effective thermal management in LED lighting applications. The new materials now enable LED lamp and luminaire manufacturers to quickly and precisely print a layer of thermally conductive silicone compound in controllable thicknesses on complex substrate shapes.

Currently, one of the hot button issues for foodservice single-use packaging is the proposed polystyrene ban in New York City, which is stirring many emotions on both sides. Still, in a time where bans or restrictions are being discussed, suppliers of foodservice packaging are optimistic about the year ahead. The Foodservice Packaging Institute (FPI) found that, generally speaking, a strengthening economy and less volatile input pricing could result in a positive year for the foodservice packaging industries in North America and Europe.

Parker Hannifin Corporation, the global leader in motion and control technologies, has created a medical grade polyurethane that not only displays characteristic polycarbonate resistance to oxidation and alcohol swelling, but also demonstrates expanded resistance to environmental stress cracking. Developed by the Engineered Polymer Systems (EPS) Division of Parker, the product, called Parker Medical Grade ALC Polyurethane, is an aliphatic polycarbonate-based thermoplastic polyurethane designed for use in medical and life science applications.

PlastiComp Inc. has increased production capacity with the installation of a new long fiber thermoplastic (LFT) compounding line. The new line will increase capacity approximately five million pounds per year. PlastiComp acquired a new site for their headquarters in 2011. The acquired building of 75,000 square feet was subsequently expanded to approximately 85,000 square feet. Additionally, the building is undergoing modifications to add a new carbon fiber dedicated production line for both LFT pellets and UD (unidirectional) tapes.

Cobalt Technologies, a leading developer of next generation bio-based chemicals, recently announced a strategic relationship with two prominent Asian chemical companies for the development of a complete biomass-to-butadiene solution, to be followed by construction of a commercial-scale biorefinery in Asia. The partners also plan to build or license additional plants to support the high growth in global butadiene demand. In support of the relationship, the partners made an equity investment in Cobalt.

PolyOne GLS Thermoplastic Elastomers, one among global leaders in high-performance, custom-formulated thermoplastic elastomer (TPE) solutions, recently unveiled OnFlex™ AW, a new line of non-halogen flame-retardant TPEs for the appliance industry. These new wire and cable insulation and jacketing specialty materials help support appliance manufacturers' sustainability goals by combining outstanding physical performance with an eco-conscious solution that enables reduced material usage and lighter weight.

According to a new market report published by Transparency Market Research "Polyvinyl Alcohol (PVA) Films Market by Application (Water Soluble Packaging & Polarizer) - Global Industry Analysis, Size, Share, Growth, Trends and Forecast, 2012 - 2018," the global PVA films demand for water soluble applications was 16,027 tons in 2011 and is expected to reach 20,628.3 tons by 2018, growing at a CAGR of 3.7% from 2012 to 2018. In terms of revenue, the market was valued at USD 208.9 million in 2011 and is expected to grow at a CAGR of 4.8% from 2012 to 2018.

Metabolix, Inc., an innovation-driven bioscience company focused on delivering sustainable solutions for plastics, chemicals and energy, recently announced that its researchers are making technical presentations at the ANTEC Conference held from April 22-25 in Cincinnati, Ohio. Metabolix researchers are presenting new data showing that its biobased PHA (polyhydroxyalkanoate) copolymers significantly improve the mechanical, performance and environmental characteristics of the commercially significant polymers polylactide (PLA) and polyvinyl chloride (PVC).

Addex Inc., one of the leading global suppliers of blown film equipment and components, has announced an enhanced automatic external gauge control (EGC) system for blown film extrusion lines. The new Tandem external gauge control (TEGC) system combines the gauge control efficiency of Addex's EGC air ring with a bubble stabilizing lower air ring which achieves 15% to 30% greater output compared to Addex's standard EGC system.

Cobalt Technologies ("Cobalt"), one of the leading developers of next generation bio-based chemicals, announced the successful completion of a production campaign of n-butanol at a fermentation scale greater than 100,000 liters. The performance demonstrates scalability by replicating the performance previously obtained at both the 10 liter bench scale and the 4,000 liter pilot scale. This scale validation is a crucial stepping stone to finalizing any commercial project, since scale up to a commercial fermentor is under 10x, well within industry norms.

Controlling solar heat gain in buildings is an ongoing challenge for design professionals, but a new PVB interlayer from Eastman Chemical Company, called Saflex® SG, offers significant advantages for those designing projects in hot climates. Saflex SG solar interlayer employs a proprietary IR absorbing technology designed to enhance solar heat gain performance as compared to monolithic glass and clear monolithic glass laminates made with standard clear polyvinyl butyral (PVB) interlayer.