The increasing importance of plastics in the area of agriculture and horticulture has been highlighted in a new in-depth report on the Agricultural films market in Europe by Applied Market Information Ltd. (AMI

Players in China’s polymer markets are expressing mixed forecasts for 2012. While there is general agreement that upstream costs will continue to support polymer prices, players hold divergent opinions about the macroeconomic outlook, as per ChemOrbis

Players in China’s PE markets are evaluating the likely impact of the latest round of Western sanctions on Iran as they formulate their business plans going forward, as per ChemOrbis. Most Chinese players predicted that the sanctions would not have a drastic effect on their business in the short term while adding that the sanctions may introduce significant changes into the structure of China’s polymer trade going forward

IMCD Business Group Plastics announces extension of its current product portfolio with the two new compounds from Teknor Apex Company. Apex® P-55003 and P-55004 are jacketing compounds based on blends of polyvinyl chloride (PVC) and thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) that provide outstanding resistance to the aggressive end-use conditions often encountered by industrial cables.

Cabot has added this emerging performance technology to its portfolio through an intellectual property licensing agreement with XG Sciences, Inc. Under the agreement, Cabot will license intellectual property rights to XG’s xGnP graphene nanoplatelets technology, including detailed know-how regarding the manufacturing process. The move is consistent with Cabot’s commitment to provide customers with enabling materials solutions that deliver high performance, said Fred von Gottberg, Cabot vice president, New Business segment

Macrolex colorants from LANXESS have once again proven themselves in the plastics sector: The renowned U.S. legal firm Keller & Heckman LLP based in Washington, D.C., has certified that Eastman Tritan colored with Macrolex colorants meets the requirements of the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA)

A new purging compound suitable to purge thermoplastics converting equipment from remaining polymer/colour and deposits which build up during the running period, has been introduced. IMCD Deutschland has announced distribution of a new product by Emery, Loxiol®

Thailand is facing its worst floods in 50 years, as per ChemOrbis. Floods have affected much of the country’s north, northeast and central regions

LANXESS is strengthening its commitment to Brazil with three major new investments totaling roughly EUR 30 million, or R$ 75 million, which will create more than 100 jobs. The investments will support the growing trend toward green mobility in the Latin American country

Over the past few years I have noticed a very alarming trend. Most of the seat-of-the-pants experts and original firestarters of the injection molding industry are either gone or slowly going away. (No offense to those of us who are still here)