Green and bio-plastics - The Expert's View

Sep 01, 2010 - Renewable Butadiene by Duane B. Priddy (R&D Highlight)
In recent years there has been considerable interest in developiing biorenewable sources for the manufacture of plastics. Butadiene is a basic building block for many plastics including HIPS, ABS, and thermoplastic rubbers. This invention...
Aug 30, 2010 - Highlights from the Eleventh International Conference on Biocomposites by SpecialChem (Article)
The 11^th International Conference on Biocomposites in Toronto, Canada, featured emerging green material technologies. Conference Co-Chairman Dr. Mohini Sain of the world renowned University of Toronto, Faculty of...
Aug 30, 2010 - PHA-based Pens and Pencils by ISPA (Innovation Brief)
In order to develop more environmentally conscious products, the Paper Mate division of the Newell Rubbermaid company has selected a polyhydroxyalcanoate (PHA) material to manufacture its latest innovative product range of pens and pencils...
Aug 27, 2010 - Environment-Friendly Keyboard by ISPA (Innovation Brief)
The German companies Fujitsu Technology Solutions GmbH (an European IT infrastructure provider), Amper Plastik R. Dittrich GmbH & Co. KG (plastic converter) and FKuR Kunststoff GmbH (material producer) have joined forces in order to develop...
Aug 26, 2010 - Cellulose-fiber-filled polyacetal composites by Duane B. Priddy (R&D Highlight)
This article investigates the mechanical and physical characteristics of composites composed of polyacetal [alternatively called polyoxymethylene (POM)] and cellulose fiber (CF) derived from wood pulp without any fiber surface treatment....
Aug 19, 2010 - Biobased nanocomposites with improved mechanical properties by Duane B. Priddy (R&D Highlight)
Biobased nanocomposites were manufactured through the melt intercalation of nanoclays and starch esters. Starch acetates (SAs) and starch propionates (SPs) were tested in combination with glycerol triacetate (triacetin) as a plasticizer for...
Aug 19, 2010 - Green Housekeeping Apparel by SpecialChem (Innovation Brief)
Cincinnati-based Cintas Corporation has introduced ‘Velocity™’ collection of environment-friendly apparels for housekeepers. The textile is made using a blend of recycled polyester and polyester fabric in the ratio of 60:40. Plastic bottles...
Aug 19, 2010 - Sunglasses made from Transparent Biosourced Polyamide by ISPA (Innovation Brief)
On the occasion of the last outdoor Retailer Summer exhibition in Salt Lake City (US), the French material producer Arkema and the American company Smith Optics unveiled the latest Smith Optics ‘Evolve’ sunglasses collection, which is made...
Aug 18, 2010 - Architectural Application for Bioplastic by ISPA (Innovation Brief)
An innovative architectural application has just awarded the latest Environment & Recycling JEC Award. The part have been developed as part of a collaborative project between the Danish company 3XN architects and core partners such as...
Aug 17, 2010 - New Super-Lightweight Electric Concept Car by ISPA (Innovation Brief)
The Japanese company Teijin Group has unveiled its latest innovation in the automotive industry i.e. a new super-lightweight electric concept car that integrates Teijin materials and technologies including carbon fiber-based composites,...
Aug 17, 2010 - PE films with enhanced environmental degradability by Duane B. Priddy (R&D Highlight)
This article describes the preparation of novel photodegradable PE-TiO₂ nanocomposite films. The films were preapred by embedding the organically modified TiO₂ nanoparticles into commercial PE...
Aug 16, 2010 - Effect of long-term aging on UHMWPE medical implants by Duane B. Priddy (R&D Highlight)
The goal of this study is to investigate the effects of natural aging for up to 6 years in air on the thermal, mechanical, and viscoelastic properties of UHMWPE used in total joint replacement. The changes in UHMWPE properties due to aging...
Aug 13, 2010 - Eco-Centric Mobile Phone by ISPA (Innovation Brief)
Sprint and Samsung Telecommunications America i.e. Samsung Mobile has introduced on the North-American market Samsung Reclaim™, which is said to be the first phone in the US constructed from eco-centric bioplastic materials. In fact it is...
Aug 13, 2010 - Sound-Proofing the ‘Green’ Way by SpecialChem (Innovation Brief)
Acoustical Solutions, Inc., a soundproofing and sound-control company based in Richmond, VA, has extended its AudioSeal™ sound blanket line with six new environment-friendly sound-control products, for places such as worship...
Aug 12, 2010 - Environmentally Friendly Vacuum Cleaner by ISPA (Innovation Brief)
The Dutch appliance specialist Koninklijke Philips Electronics N.V. i.e. Philips has designed an innovative vacuum cleaner that integrates a housing made of a durable poly(lactic acid) (PLA) material. The packaging of this new vacuum...
Aug 10, 2010 - Environmentally Conscious Bathroom Scale by ISPA (Innovation Brief)
The Japanese company Tanita, which is world leader in precision electronic scales, has recently launched its second generation of ‘green’ products with the HS-302 Solar Digital Scale. This new eco-friendly electronic bathroom scale...
Aug 09, 2010 - Deep-Freeze Packaging made from Renewable Resources by ISPA (Innovation Brief)
The German company Dettmer Verpackunger, i.e. DeLo, which is specialized in flexible packaging systems, has designed an innovative deep-freeze packaging for frozen potato products that is entirely made from a copolyester material stemming...
Aug 09, 2010 - Improved composite mesh for hernia repair by Duane B. Priddy (R&D Highlight)
A novel composite implantable device for treating a hernia has been described. The device is designed to promote tissue ingrowth. The device consists of:
(i) A first biodurable reticulated elastomeric matrix having a...
Aug 09, 2010 - Processing of Thermoplastic Starch (TPS) Based Foam Beads by SpecialChem (Article)
Water contained within TPS beads can be used successfully as an environmentally friendly and cheap blowing agent. If the material is heated quickly, the water boils and foams the material rather than being driven off. A long-established...
Jul 28, 2010 - Biorenewable PS by Duane B. Priddy (R&D Highlight)
Common plastic material production draws on fossil (i.e. non-renewable) reserves thus contributing to the depletion of essential and increasingly scare resources for mankind. Beyond recycling used plastic materials or valorising plastic...