ICYMI: February Roundup
While February was short on days, there was no shortage in insightful content from our editors and contributors! Take a look at what you might have missed.
Source: Getty Images, Mark Spalding, Plastics Technology
While February was short on days, there was no shortage of insightful content from our editors and contributors! This past month had a focus on blow molding, recycling and sustainability. Catch up on what you may have missed and stay ahead of the curve as we move into a new season of opportunities!
10. Pursuing More Sustainable Plastic Pallets
Chilean lithium producer employs local molder with a specialized Engel duo 2-platen press to shift to pallets made from reclaimed plastics.
Source: Engel
9. An Opportunity by Design
At the very moment that intensifying public pressure pushes the plastics industry to address waste in the environment, the sector is stepping up to reclaim the valuable materials it’s created.
8. PTXPO Broadens Educational Opportunities
Beyond gleaning contacts and information by walking its bustling aisles, the third edition of the Plastics Technology Expo (PTXPO) will present attendees the opportunity to gather more than information on the latest technologies, they can also bring back knowledge.
7. Making Safety a Priority in Recycled Plastic for Personal Care and Food-Contact Products
Proper quality controls and feedstream selection can produce recycled materials for any application
Source: PET Technologies
6. Is There a Better Way to Heat PET Preforms for Stretch-Blow Molding?
Is near-infrared (NIR) heating better, faster and more energy efficient? So far, only two machine builders are making such claims for NIR in place of standard mid-infrared preform heating, though their systems appear to be well accepted. Meanwhile, an altogether different alternative is in the works.
5. Video: Looking at the Year Ahead in Recycled Materials
Emily Friedman of ICIS breaks down the key factors anticipated to influence recycled plastics markets in 2025.
4. Optimizing Melt-Fed Single-Screw Extruders on Compounding Lines
The main problem with melt-fed extruders that are starve-fed is setting the depth of the metering channel. In this scenario, we describe how this problem was solved.
3. March 2025 Resin Pricing: Commodity Resin Prices Firm Up
Unplanned and planned production disruptions, rising feedstock costs and variables such as the potential impact of pending tariffs all factor in.
Source: Suhas Kulkarni
2. Bulk, Solid and Melt Density: How to Calculate These Values and Why They Matter
Understanding and calculating solid density and melt density will help molders with everything from material and machine selection to determining piece part costs.
1. Polymer Showdown — PC/ABS vs. PC/PBT — May the Best Material Win
First in a series, experts from plastics engineering consultancy The Madison Group will pit leading thermoplastics against each other to see how they differ in processing characteristics, chemical resistance, thermal and mechanical performance, and more.
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