Lilli Manolis Sherman Contributing Editor
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Likely Impact of McDonald's Phase Out of PS Hot Beverage Cups
How will the recent decision by McDonald’s to use paper cups after a successful large-scale test and eliminate millions of polystyrene hot beverage cups in the U.S. affect PS prices? Mark Kallman, director of client services for PS, PVC and engineering resins at purchasing consultants Resin Technology, Inc. (resinpros.com) ventures that this move will definitely impact PS demand in the long run, which could result in lower prices for processors.
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Prices Flat or Slightly Lower
Prices of PE, PP, PS, and PVC remained steady through last month, although price initiatives were on the table for all but PP.
Read MorePE Prices Moving Up
Polyethylene prices are moving up this month as suppliers are aiming to implement their Sept. 1 increases of 5¢/lb.
Read MoreFirst Biobased PBT Production Underway
Lanxess recently ran a production campaign of bio-based PBT using 20 m.t. of bio-based BDO (1,4-butanediol) made with the commercially-proven process developed by San Diego-based Genomatica.
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PP Prices Up, Others Flat or Down
Polypropylene prices have moved up two months in a row and there is potential for further increases, all owing to propylene monomer tightness. PS prices moved lower in July, while attempts to hike prices of PE and PVC appeared to have failed.
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K 2013 Preview: Materials & Additives
The K 2013 show will present a broad range of engineered plastics materials, including thermoplastic composites, as well as additives. Automotive and electronic applications will be the main targets, as well as medical, packaging, lighting, and construction.
Read MoreDSM Sees UL Standard Change as a Boost to Thermoplastics
DSM says the recent change to a UL standard covering low-voltage switchgear (LVSG) has opened up the way for plastics innovation in electrical applications such as miniature circuit breakers.
Read MoreFirst Expandable TPU
BASF Polyurethane, Wyandotte, Mich.,will debut what appears to be the first expandable TPU (E-TPU). Branded Infinergy, it is based on Elastollan TPU which is expanded by using an innovative procedure.
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PE Prices Firming, Others Flat or Lower
Flat to lower prices are projected for PP, PS, and PVC due to lower feedstock prices and better-balanced supply/demand.
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PE, PP Prices Firming, Others Soften
Polyolefin prices appear to have bottomed out, with flat-to-upward pricing expected, while PS and PVC prices are likely to flatten. Prices of ABS, PC, and nylons are soft and going nowhere in the near future.
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‘Value-Added’ Molder Adds 3D Printing
Wisconsin molder's recent decision to bring water-transfer printing in-house makes it one of the few processors to offer this decorating technology as part of its full-service offering.
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