Since 2017 the OE-A honors persons who have made special contributions to the further development of the flexible, organic and printed electronics industry and the OE-A (Organic and Printed Electronics Association) – a working group of the VDMA. With the appointment as ‘OE-A Fellow’ a personal OE-A membership for life is connected.
This year, the OE-A Board has chosen Dr. Bertrand Fillon, Program Director of the CEA-Liten of France. The fellow certificate was digitally handed over by Stan Farnsworth, Chair of the OE-A Board and Chief Marketing Officer of NovaCentrix, during the online OE-A meeting. “Dr Fillon has made great contributions to both the OE-A and LOPEC, the international exhibition and conference for the printed electronics industry,” said Farnsworth. “For more than fifteen years, Bertrand Fillon has been an important ambassador for the OE-A and has contributed significantly to fostering the very good and ever-increasing cooperation with French companies and networks”, Farnsworth added.
Bertrand Fillon has also supported and promoted the flexible, organic and printed electronics industry at European and international level. Bertrand Fillon is also a member of the Scientific Board of the LOPEC conference. He is also involved in various European platforms and associations as well as in various expert groups at international and national level. “The OE-A would like to thank Dr Fillon for his services to the printed electronics industry, his support of the OE-A, and his work in establishing networked communities of both research and business in France and throughout Europe ,” continued Farnsworth. “We look forward to continuing our collaboration”.
www.oe-a.org / www.lopec.com
Bertrand Fillon is honored with the title of OE-A Fellow.
Label material wins Innovation in Sourcing Award
UPM Raflatac’s Forest Film label material has received the 2020 Innovation in Responsible Sourcing Award from the Sustainable Packaging Coalition (SPC). The announcement came on Wednesday, September 30, at the SPC Innovator Awards ceremony as part of this year’s SPC Advance virtual event. Forest Film is the world’s first polypropylene film label material derived entirely from wood-based sources based on mass balance approach and brings UPM Raflatac’s vision of “labeling a smarter future beyond fossils” to life.
“Forest Film deserves attention for being a notable introduction of bio-based polypropylene with a well understood feedstock and an assurance mechanism for responsible sourcing,” says Adam Gendell, Associate Director of the Sustainable Packaging Coalition. “It is a significant advancement in the field of bio-based plastics, and we feel it’s earned its status as the winner of Innovation in Responsible Sourcing in the 2020 SPC Innovator Awards.”
The innovative sourcing begins with UPM Raflatac’s sister company, UPM Biofuels, who convert pulp production residue called crude tall oil from sustainably managed forests into renewable naphtha, a drop-in raw material for the chemical industry. This product, called UPM BioVerno, is sent to a resin supplier and then a film supplier to convert it into the filmic face material UPM Raflatac then manufactures into the laminate label material known as Forest Film.
It is an International Sustainability & Carbon Certification (ISCC) PLUS-certified product, meaning it uses sustainable resources to replace an equivalent amount of fossil resources in the production process – the mass balance approach. Forest Film products are proven to deliver savings on greenhouse gas emissions. When a comparison is made between a standard label construction and Forest Film, the carbon footprint, including biogenic carbon, significantly reduces emissions up to 66 percent (based on UPM Raflatac’s life cycle assessment study critically reviewed to be in accordance with ISO 14040/44 and PAS2050 standards).
Forest Film has identical performance to traditional plastic film label materials. It is now available as either polypropylene or polyethylene, in both clear and white films for a number of packaging end-uses.
“Thank you to the Sustainable Packaging Coalition for this tremendous honor,” says Tyler Matusevich, UPM Raflatac’s Sustainability Manager for the Americas. “Responsible sourcing is top priority for our company because raw materials are one of our biggest sources of environmental impact. Forest Film answers our customers’ and brand owners’ needs for using renewable instead of fossil-based raw materials. Thank you to all the SPC members who continue to drive the sustainable packaging industry forward. Let’s collaborate, let’s learn together and let’s change the world!”
UPM Raflatac’s collaboration project with Sustana Fiber to recycle label liner waste into new label face material was also named a finalist for the SPC’s Innovation in Recovery Award 2020. This recycled label face stock contains up to 30 percent recycled fiber made by Sustana Fiber from waste label liner collected by UPM Raflatac’s RafCycle service and other mixed paper waste collection streams.
www.upmraflatac.com
World’s largest polymer company receives first supply of certified renewable phenol
Next milestone in the strategic cooperation of Neste, Borealis and Covestro for the use of alternative raw materials
- Neste produces ISCC Plus certified 100 percent bio-based hydrocarbons from renewable raw materials
- Borealis uses hydrocarbons from Neste for manufacture of ISCC Plus certified phenol
- Covestro receives supply of 1,000 tons of renewable phenol from Borealis
As part of a strategic collaboration, Covestro received a first delivery of 1,000 tons of renewable phenol from Borealis, produced with renewable hydrocarbons from Neste. Neste produces these ISCC Plus certified hydrocarbons (ISCC: International Sustainability and Carbon Certification) entirely from renewable raw materials. The hydrocarbons are then converted into ISCC Plus mass balance certified phenol by Borealis and finally used by Covestro to produce the high-performance plastic polycarbonate – as a replacement for part of the phenol previously manufactured from purely fossil resources. Polycarbonate is used in car headlights, automotive glazing, LED lights, electronic devices as well as other applications.
“With this first supply, we are once again underlining our commitment to the increased use of alternative raw materials. In this way, we are recycling carbon and are driving the circularity forward, which must become the new global guiding principle,” says Covestro´s CEO Dr. Markus Steilemann. “By cooperating with upstream partners such as Neste and Borealis, we are showing how a sustainable value chain can work.”
“We are delighted to see our renewable feedstock helping Covestro to achieve this new milestone. It highlights the drop-in nature of our product replacing fossil crude and its fit for a continuously increasing number of demanding applications,” says Peter Vanacker, President and CEO of Neste. “Furthermore, it clearly demonstrates how sustainability-focused collaboration among frontrunner companies – Neste, Borealis and Covestro – can make a positive impact even within a complex value chain.”
”Life demands progress. We are proud to be pioneers to deliver renewable phenol to our strategic customer Covestro. Together with our innovative value chain partner Neste we are at the forefront of driving the circular economy,” says Alfred Stern, CEO of Borealis. “This is how we re-invent for more sustainable living.”
Neste produces its renewable hydrocarbons entirely from renewable raw materials, such as waste and residual oils and fats. These hydrocarbons can be used in existing production infrastructures and help replace fossil feedstocks that are used in the polymers and chemicals production. This makes it possible for companies such as Borealis and Covestro to produce more sustainable products with consistently high quality on the basis of their existing processes.
With the planned transformation of raw materials used in the company’s production, Covestro aims at helping key industries such as the automotive and electronics industries to achieve greater sustainability and reduce their dependence on materials from fossil resources. The project is part of a comprehensive program with which Covestro, together with its partners, is seeking to propel the transformation to a circular economy and become fully circular itself.
www.neste.com / www.neste.com/companies/products/plastics / www.borealisgroup.com / www.borealiseverminds.com / www.covestro.com
Dr. Lutz Werner is Now the New Business Unit Manager
From 1 October 2020, Dr. Lutz Werner has taken up the position of Business Unit Manager for Europe at Buehler – ITW Test & Measurement GmbH, a premier manufacturer of scientific equipment, consumables and accessories for metallography and materials analysis, including a broad portfolio of hardness testers. His office is at the location in Esslingen.
After studying physics and computer engineering at the Technical University of Kaiserslautern, Lutz Werner earned his PhD at the University of Kassel in the Department of Physics. In the course of his professional career, he has held various project management, business development and leadership positions at scientific precision instrument manufacturers and industrial automation companies.
Julien Noel, Vice President and General Manager, comments: “I am very excited to welcome Lutz in the Buehler family. His extensive experience in business development combined with his technical abilities will certainly be an asset to support Buehler’s growth in the region.”
Lutz Werner adds: “I’m looking forward to becoming a member of Buehler’s team for Europe, which enjoys an excellent reputation worldwide due to its innovative solutions for metallography and hardness testing as well as its exceptional customer service. My most important aims in my new role include establishing further partnerships and continuing the history of success associated with the name of Buehler.”
https://www.buehler.com
Richard Kelsey, SVP Finance Consumer appointed interim CFO
Tanja Dreilich, Managing Director and CFO, will leave the Constantia Flexibles Group by the end of 2020 in order to take on new professional challenges. The CFO tasks will be taken over by Richard Kelsey, SVP Finance Consumer, on an interim basis as of beginning of October with Tanja ensuring a smooth transition of the activities.
Pim Vervaat CEO Constantia Flexibles said: “With Tanja Dreilich, we are losing a CFO with a proven track record of successfully driving profitability and growth in highly dynamic companies in a variety of industries. I would like to thank her for her great personal commitment, her contribution to improving profitability and financing and for successfully managing several key projects in the group.”
The Constantia Group regrets Tanja ‘s departure and wishes her continued success and all the best for her personal and professional future.
Richard Kelsey has 10 years of experience with Constantia Flexibles in various roles in the Finance area. He joined Constantia Flexibles in October 2010 as Group Head of M&A subsequently assuming the responsibility of Group Controlling & Accounting for three years before taking on the role of SVP Finance Consumer Division on 1 July this year.
Plastic Putting the ‘P’ in Packaging
Initiatives to replace plastic with other alternatives have long been in play but the packaging section in the industrial sectors is now overturning the situation. Replacing plastic with single-use plastic, paper, and cotton products intended for the purpose didn’t seem to resolve the issue. The plastics industry took the opportunity and began providing undeniable options in a time where plastic is being rejected.
Plastics are strong, durable, lightweight, cost-effective, and consume fewer material resources for manufacturing in comparison to its alternatives. There are 6 different types of plastics used for packaging that possess salient features in durability, lightweight, sustainability, versatility, inexpensiveness, and most importantly, recyclability. Further discussed are the types, their properties, and their uses in applications.
The first type of resin is the High Density Polyethylene (HDPE), a safe plastic used in a wide range of products. As the name suggests, it is a high density to strength ratio resin with chemical resistance and is frequently used in packaging with unpigmented translucent and barrier properties for bottles and containers. It is used for packaging products with short life spans, household and industrial chemicals like detergents and bleach.
The pigmented HDFE packaged bottles have stress crack or shattering resistance, higher tensile strength, temperature capabilities, and versatility. We see illustrations of it for packaging bottles containing milk, water, juice, cosmetics, shampoo, and household cleaners as well as bags used for groceries and retail purchases. These products can be recycled into pens, rubbish bins, outdoor furniture, fencing, and detergent bottles.
Second on the list is Low Density Polyethylene (LDPE) that also includes Linear Low Density Polyethylene (LLDPE), which has a broad use in film application due to it’s tough, flexible and relative transparency for heat sealing. LDPE is resistant to acids, bases, and oils thus creating an excellent barrier to oxygen, water, and carbon dioxide. It provides flexibility in food packaging, lids, bottles, wires and cables, bags for dry cleaning, newspapers, bread, frozen foods, fresh produce, and household garbage and a shrink wrap and stretch film coating of it is used to coat paper cartons and hot and cold beverage cups, container lids and squeezable bottles in housing and essentials. It can be recycled to bin liners, shopping bags, floor tiles, shipping envelops, etc.
The next resin is Polyethylene Terephthalate (PET) that has a clear and optically smooth surface formula in films and bottles. PET provides a gas, water, and moisture barrier for packaging plastic beverage bottles containing water, juice, beer, mouthwash, etc., food jars for peanut butter, jelly, jam and pickles, injection moulded consumer product containers, fibers in clothing, 3D printable thermoplastics, PETG and PET strapping.
Additional qualities of PET are its high impact capability and shatter resistance that do not let the product to break easily, while its resistance to most solvents do not taint the flavor of food packages. Cleaned, recycled PET flakes and pellets are used to manufacture spinning fiber for carpet yarns, fiberfill, and geotextiles, new containers, strappings and ropes, carpet fibers, clothing, and cushion or jacket filling.
Next is Polypropylene (PP) resin that has a chemical resistance with a strong, flexible, and high melting point required for hot-fill liquids or contents. It can be moulded for extensive varieties of products and optical clarity for biaxially oriented films, and stretch blow moulded containers. With a low moisture vapor transmission and inversion or intervention towards acids, alkalis, and most solvents it helps create sterile syringes, containers for yogurts, takeout meals, deli foods, medicine bottles, bottle caps and closures. These products are later recycled and remade into brooms, auto battery cases, pallets, signal lights, and bicycle tracks.
The resin Polystyrene (PS), commonly known as Styrofoam, in rigid or foam form, is a low-density foam with a low melting point but does not conduct much heat and its insulation helps transport hot or cold products. It is used in protective packaging, foodservice packaging, bottles, and food containers and its moisture barrier supports short life products.
PS has an optical clarity for general purpose and a significant amount of stiffness in foam and rigid forms. Low density and high stiffness in foamed applications, low thermal conductivity and excellent insulation properties are found in foamed forms. Foodservice items like caps, cups, plates, meat and poultry trays, disposable plates, bowls, and cutlery, disposable razors, protective packaging, and other rigid containers like CD cases contain PS and can be recycled into vests, foam packaging, insulation, and flower pots.
Lastly, Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC), a resin with stable physical and electrical properties, chemical resistance, weather ability, and flow characteristics as well as high impact strength, clarity, processing performance, resistance to grease, oil, and chemicals and is the world’s widely used synthetic plastic. It has two forms, rigid and flexible. The rigid form helps manufacture blister packs and clamshells while the flexible forms create bags for bedding and medical, shrink, deli, and meat wraps tamper-resistant. Its products can later be recycled for piping, kayaks, packaging, traffic cones, post boxes, and speed bumps.
These resins provide the durability factor to plastics that protects keepsakes, food, electronics, and shipping products. They prevent and protect damage or contamination caused during transport, by moisture, microorganisms, insects, and light. Spillage while transporting to distances and also during usage of products is avoided thereby preventing waste. Household goods and gadgets, books, toothbrushes, sports equipment, etc. are shielded from scratches and dents that arise during transport.
Plastics promote resistance to corrosion and bio-inertness making plastic resource efficient while saving 75.8 million metric tons of carbon dioxide. It also provides preservation to products for an extended shelf life thus preventing waste.
17% percent of packaging involves plastic that makes the product lightweight, unlike its substitutes that are 4-5 times heavier as they require more material output for packaging. Lightweight but strong, it protects the product without adding extra weight thus save manufacturing, transportation, and shipping costs. Being lightweight leads to superior sustainability, lowers energy consumption, material resource efficiency, and greenhouse gas emissions.
The durability and lightweight qualities make packaging possible by using fewer resources, occupying less space in transport that then requires fewer modes of transportation due to lighter loads hence lower emissions. Products are delivered in a perfect condition and consequently increases trade.
The versatility of plastic helps build moulds into limitless shapes like bags, pouches, films, flow wraps, sleeves, shells, trays, pots, bottles, drums, etc. The mould fits of packaging are customized to the shape of products into a box, spherical, cylindrical, and many other shapes. It allows the product to provide a tight, simple, open form or hanger seals to hold hot foods, cold liquids, acids, or bases. From button cell batteries to bicycle pallets, versatility creates varied transformation in blown, injected, thermomoulded, decorative effects and colors, safety mechanisms, or shut seals like childproof locks on medication.
“Education is required to know what is recyclable and what is not.”- Clare Goldsberry.
The myth that paper is an all-time replacement for plastic depicts ignorance of the science that lead to poor decision-making. Basic paper cups are lined with polyethylene, plastic, to prevent dissolving. Plastics have multipurpose usages in common households as garbage bags, to carry or transport food and most frequently for packaging. The usage of plastic was always existent however the real problem was not plastic but people littering it rather than recycling, resulting in disposal complications.
An article in Plant Money determined that plastic bans may have reduced non-biodegradable litter but on the contrary, paper bags are worse because they require trees to be cut or a high percentage of recycled paper to be processed using lots of water and toxic chemicals and fuels for the production machinery.
According to Igor Catic, Professor Emeritus of Plastics Engineering at the University of Zagreb, Croatia, “Several ecological problems are cropping up with increased use of paper bags and must be used 43 times to be ecologically productive. Conversely, cotton bags have an even worse impact than plastics. They require fuel to grow and machines that use diesel or gasoline to work.” The Plant Money article states that cotton bags must be used 20,000 times.
Biodegradable, Polyhydroxyalkanoate (PHA), sustainable products i.e. eco-friendly alternatives to plastics and other petrochemical plastics are some of the many new components that will be used to upgrade plastics usage soon. PHA products saw developments and productions from 2018 through 2019.
According to Dr. Jenna Jambeck and her team of researchers, April 2018, on the biodegradability aspect of PHA, compared PHA plastics with petrochemical plastics and found, “PHA is biodegradable in an anaerobic environment and its landfill degradation would take up to 40-60 days. While, petrochemical plastics degenerate in aerobic, sea or ocean, environments in 6 months.”
This research proved PHA to be a promising eco-friendly alternative to avoid the petrochemical waste that sustained harm to the environment. The future goal of many packaging industries is to create snack bags that are home compostable and to add PHA in straws, cutlery and cosmetics packaging.
The plastics industries use bio-based and compostable materials to promote sustainability. The flexible packaging stimulated industry collaborations of more than two supplier partners on a global scale. Compostable snack bags by PepsiCo and Danimer Scientific use traditional bio-based flexible packaging. Their packaging has right balanced sustainability, high performance, cost-effective, material that has a feeling comparable in noise and quality made of traditional film resins.
Current plastics packaging have multisensory elements that mimics leathery or soft-feel materials thus making it look attractive. They also possess a high-performance structure in reusability, brand benefits and quality that gain brand-loyal customers. The printing and graphics also add to the authenticity and overall quality.
New plastics packaging have extended shelf life properties as well as recyclability along with storage capabilities and ovenable films for food items and microwaveable convenience as well. Thus, along with the capacity to store its content efficiently, the consumer can heat the food package in an oven or a microwave and can store it back into the fridge without the need for transferring it into a container.
In conclusion, plastic bag packaging is one that enables plastics industries to get their products across the consumer without letting the consumer have the benefit of doubt in regards to the environment and the sold product. Along with aiding the environment, it provides for a circular economy and grants many secure jobs and to minimize losses.
The Accused Plastics Aids in Healthcare
Contemporary healthcare would stand unbearable lacking the countless plastic-based medical products we misappropriate. Plastics are all over, from examination gloves to sterilized needles and adhesive dressing strips from blood bags to IV tubes or heart valves. Plastics packaging is predominantly apt for medicinal applications. Appreciations to its excellent barrier assets, it securely watches infections. Inventions in plastics are manufacturing novel measures. Artificial plastic heart, of bacteria-resistant plastics or of body parts tailored to the needs of the patient and printed in the 3D printer will be possible.
Conventionally, metals, glass and ceramics were used for remedial implantations, devices and cares. Though, polymers are well matched to these applications as they bid light weight, improved biocompatibility and lesser cost. Fibres and resins used in medical applications contain polyvinyl chloride (PVC), polypropylene (PP), polyethylene (PE), polystyrene (PS), polyethylene terephthalate (PET), polyimide (PA), polycarbonate (PC), acrylonitrile butadiene (ABS), polyetheretherketone (PEEK) and polyurethane (PU). The utmost used plastics material is PVC trailed by PE, PP, PS and PET. PVC extensively used in pre-sterilized single use medical applications. It is a multipurpose plastic used in medical applications for ages.
There are several uses of plastics, For the newest heart surgery, like in slim tubes to unblock blood vessels. The deposit hindering the vessels can be shattered by a small spiral-shaped implant, a vessel support. The vessel support is finished with plastics established explicitly for the medical field and charged by means of active constituents.
Plastics are being used as orthopaedic devices. They bring into line, support or right malformations. They even advance the purpose of portable parts of the body or substitute a body part, captivating its key function. Synthetic material on the other hand plays a dynamic part for contaminated arteries that cannot be aided by vessel support. An affected unit of the aorta is detached and the opening is linked by a flexible plastic prosthesis, making the body’s sustenance entirely functional again.
3D printing is presently bein
g used by the medical industry to produce prosthetic hands that are inexpensive than conventional prosthetics. This may be particularly valuable for children who might require different prosthetics as they grow. Engineers can print 3D imitations of certain body parts via scans of an MRI machine. It will allow surgeons to prepare for complicated surgeries.
Damages incurred to the eye or chronic irritations, like corneal erosion, can impair vision, and if a transplantation has less chance of victory, a prosthesis is the solitary option. Artificial corneas made from unique silicone are accessible for treatment. It is 0.3 to 0.5 millimetres thick, very translucent, flexible and made of bio-mechanics like that of a natural cornea, it can return clear sight.
Those with severe impaired hearing can have a plastics implant to bring sound back to their ears. It comprises of many components – a microphone, a transmission device connected to a micro-computer worn on the body, a stimulator and an electrode carrier with 16 electrodes for 16 different frequency ranges. It converts audio impulses into electric ones. It bypasses the dented cells and stimulates the acoustic nerve.
Plastics pill capsules release the correct amount of its active constituents at the right time. The tartaric acid-based polymer progressively pauses, gradually releasing the active constituents over an extended period. These ideal treatments avoid having to regularly take huge amounts of pills essential for a patient in order to get the required dose.
There is a collection of plastics single-use medical products that include bed pans, insulin pens, IV tubes, tube fittings, plastic cups and pitchers, eye patches, surgical and examination gloves, inflatable splints, inhalation masks, tubing for dialysis, disposable gowns, wipes and droppers, urine continence and ostomy products. The usage of plastics materials in hospitals is almost endless and continues to grow each day. Plastics continues to look out for those in need of healthcare via the advancements that the medical industries have achieved.
Plastics with Technology Create Futuristic Vehicles that Meet Consumer Demands
The advantages of plastics in the automotive industry has increased consumer demand much more than before. A wide scope of technology is used in order to fulfill these demands.
All through our lives we have witnessed numerous transitions one of which is utilization of steel to lightweight alternatives by the automotive industry. An automotive of the 1950s contained almost no plastic but today they contain 100-150 kilograms of plastics. These automotive vehicles are high in performance, safety, construction and functionality.
Automotive industries are the third most plastic consuming sectors. The plastics industry hand in hand with the automotive industry poised to play a role in the revolution of the automotive industry in the usage of thermoplastics, ABS, polyamide, polyacetal and polycarbonate with alloys and blends of different polymers which will be discussed in detail further.
Plastics in an automotive eases manufacturing, the sourcing comes from renewable raw materials, and its design can be improved by development and research i.e. it increases design freedom and innovate potential. Additionally, it helps reduce corrosion, extends vehicle life, provides versatility in integrating components, safety and comfort. The major role of plastics in automobiles is that they become affordable, lightweight and fuel-efficient thereby increasing consumer demand.
In order to have an accurate understanding of the benefits plastics, it is necessary to know the different types and functions as well. The plastics that are commonly used in automotive vehicles are Polypropylene (PP), Polyurethane (PUR), Poly-vinyl Chloride (PVC) but there are an additional 10 different polymers used (66% just the 3 mentioned previously).
First, PP, a saturated addition of polymer produced from propylene which is durable, resistant to numerous chemical solvents, and is imperious to water. This kind of plastic is prevalent in an automotive and is found in car bumpers, cable insulations, carpet fibers, etc.
The characteristic qualities of PUR are its toughness, flexibility, abrasion resistance, and high resiliency. It takes on very soft or hard forms and is well-suited for everything from tires to suspension brushing to seating.
PVC is a type of plastic that comprises of 16 percent of all plastic in a typical automotive. It is resistant to chemical and solvent attack, has flexibility, is flame retardant, has thermal stability and high gloss with little or no led content. PVC works extremely well in a huge range of auto parts to create instruments like panels, electrical cable sheathing and door parts. The PVC is stiff or flexible depending on the amount and type of plasticizers used.
We have Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene (ABS), a durable thermoplastic resistant to weather and chemicals, created by polymerizing styrene and acrylonitrile in the presence of polyuridine. The styrene provides the copolymer with a shiny, tough exterior. The rubbery butadiene creates resilience to very low temperatures. With correct adjustments it can enhance impact and heat resistance , and durability. ABS can be used to produce dashboards and wheel covers.
Following ABS, we have Polystyrene (PS) which is easy to manufacture, has chemical and electrical resistance with an availability in high-gloss and high-impact varieties and is commonly used in housings and displays.
Polyamide (PA), also known as Nylon 6/6, is a general-use nylon that possess mechanical qualities and wear resistance. PA is used where there is a need of a strong low-cost rigid and stable material. It also has low friction characteristics and can absorb water easily. It is found in cams and weather-proof coating.
Next is Polyethylene (PE) that has good resistance to chemicals, high impact resilience, low density and solid durability. It is useful where moisture resistance and low-costs are necessary like in glass-reinforced car bodies and electrical insulation.
Polyoxymethylene (POM), the next in line, is rigid, contains massive yield strength, high stability in cold or low temperatures, highly chemical and fuel resistant. It is used to fabricate the interiors and exteriors of automobiles, fuel system parts and small gears.
Polycarbonate (PC) is a distinctive combined with rigidity, hardness and durability alongside weathering impact, optical, electrical and thermal qualities. PC has a remarkable impact strength and is a fine go-to material for car buyers that also provides UV resistance.
Poly-methyl-methacrylate (PMMA) is a type of acrylic that has reasonable tensile strength, UV and weather resistance. It is more transparent than glass and has a high optical quality and surface finish. With a huge color range, PMMA is used in windows, displays and screens.
Polybutylene Terephthalate (PBT) is a type of resin that has good chemical resistance and electrical properties. PBT is a hard and tough material with water absorption, resistance to dynamic stress, thermal and dimension stability. It is easy to manufacture and is used in sun-roofs, front parts, locking systems, housings, door handles, bumpers, and carburetor components.
Polyethylene Terephthalate (PET) is similar to PBT, has low water absorption and surface properties and is used in wiper arms and gears, headlamp retainers, engine covers, etc.
Lastly, Acrylonitrile Styrene Acrylate is known for its toughness and rigidity. It has chemical resistance and thermal stability. ASA has an outstanding resistance to weather, aging and yellowing and provides high gloss to housings, profiles, interior parts and outdoor applications.
The development and advanced performance in an automotive that induces these polymers in their productions increase usage and demand. Plastics offer mechanical properties, appearance, reduce weight, energy efficiency and high performance at low costs. On an average, one automotive contains about 150kg plastics and plastics composites. Engineered polymer composites and plastics are the second class of automotive materials after metals and alloys.
Commercial vehicles contain 50% plastic contents, the interior component including safety subsystems, door and seat assemblies. The mounting costs are lowered by replacement of plastic components that are also easier in assembling. The exteriors and interiors that include plastics are bumpers, doors, safety and windows, headlight, and sideview mirrors, housing, trunk lids, grilles and wheel covers.
One of the main advantages of plastics in an automotive industry is the lightweight factor brought by installation of innovative products of high rigidity with low weight. Lightweight production of automobiles involve certain environment imperatives and safety requirements that result to weight reduction and fuel abbreviation that lower car manufacturing costs compared to the rising prices of steel and iron for productions of fuel tanks. Advanced cars contain 50% plastics resulting into just 10% weight, making it light, cost-effective in the fuel economy thus reducing greenhouse gas emissions as well.
Rising problems of fuel hike and stricter environment regulations have driven focus towards fuel efficiency. There are 30,000 parts in a vehicle where 1/3 is made of 39 different types of plastics and polymers. 70% polymers are from the 4, PP, PUR, polyamides and PVC. The decision to choose plastics over other materials is due its high absorption property that then provides stricter safety standards, and more designs, that comes with Paint Protection Film (PPF), thermoplastic methane film, high gloss paint, etc., compared to metals.
High performance plastics that meet higher requirements than standard plastics, have better mechanical properties, lighter chemical and/or heat stability re used by automotive industries to manufacture automobiles. The applications of PP, PV, PVC, ABS and PC polymers are seen in the exterior furnishings, power strain, chassis, electrical components, and under the hood parts and in the interior, dashboards, fuel systems, interior trim, under-bonnet components, lighting, exterior trim, liquid reservoirs, and upholstery.
For the purpose of safety, PC, PP, AS, PVR, PA polymers are used. High strength polyamides are used in seat belts, airbags, child restraint seats, shatter resistant wind shields that use a thin layer of plastic, improved sound alternation and filter out most infrared rays. Bumpers to body panels, managements technologies, safety performance from external forces are all provided with the use of plastics.
A study by Research and Markets claim, “There has been a rise in demand of power train, interior and exterior furnishing application and by 2025 there will be an 8.8% growth.” Powertrains are the highest growing applications due to its decreased weight quality that boots performance, hikes productivity and saves costs. Advancements in durable automotive plastics will amplify use of plastic in cars.
The interiors of automotive plastics are durable, comfortable and pleasing. A study by Grand View Research on Interior leading application stated, “A 50 percent increase of volume was seen in 2016 in making seat bases, load floors, headliners, rare package shelves that were made of high performance plastics of GMT and ABS composites resulted to weight savings.” Digitalization on car dashboards, highly advanced futuristic technology and features, safety concerns and high electrical insulation are some additional elements provided by plastics that increase demand.
The new future of the automotive industry evolved with the brining of electric, hybrid and hydrogen powered vehicles that worked on new battery technology that used renewable resources. Electric Vehicles (EVS) are not were different from other automotive vehicles, though they were devoid of fuel systems, pumps, tanks, connecting cables, etc.
The introduction of EVS increased demand of PC that is used in sensors and LEDs. Applications of polymer components in battery packs created opportunities for lightweight engineered polymers and composites. Soon, there will be an increase in demand for PP as well in the new application in the exterior and interior of the car and under the hood replacing metal parts. High priced ABS will be replaced by low priced PP. PC growth will be seen in the emerging application of car sensors (lenses).
The overall consumption of polymers is expected to continue to grow depending on the plastics types, application in automotive, interpolymer substitution as well as recycling efforts in different regions. The growth rates of plastics like PP, PA, PC and PE will be due to EVS.
Plastics provide sustainable mobility to an automotive with the use of engineered plastics which will soon create a future for chemical and automotive industry to collaborate for better recyclability and sustainability. There will be developments in the automotive plastic productions and recycling system.
Influence of these propelled industry growth economically in Asia-Pacific locations like China, India, Thailand, Vietnam and Indonesia. The new future of automobiles involves expansion of manufacturing and increase in investments.
Plasticulture, the Pseudonym for Plastics and Agriculture Combined!
The ultimate couple, plastics and agriculture, Plasticulture, have been supportive for each other’s growth since long known in history. Now, they are upgraded and have even better versions of themselves than before, all with the help of technology.
There was always an existent staple use of plastics in modern farming. In the 1940s, E. M Emmert, a horticulturist at the University of Kentucky, discovered plastics film to protect crops and produce higher yields. They were used in agriculture as durable, cost-effective replacements for glass in greenhouses and tunnel sliding. Further research and development made it possible to create more efficient greenhouses and tunnels.
Plastics in agriculture helped farmers across the world to upgrade their farming while reducing ecological footprints of their activity. It allowed farmers to grow vegetables and fruits in all seasons and of even better quality than those in the open field.
Polyolefins (polyethylene) (PE), Polypropylene (PP), Ethylene-Vinyl Acetate Copolymer (EVA), and less frequently, Poly-vinyl chloride (PVC), Polycarbonate (PC) and Poly-methyl-methacrylate (PMMA) are some plastics used in agriculture. These plastics provide innovative and sustainable solutions for farming that help save water which is the most essential need of crops, maintain a temperature suitable for the growth of plants that otherwise farmers struggle with, improve flower productions, and allow crops to be planted in deserted areas.
The application of razor-thin sheets of polyethylene film on farmland has been going on since the 1950s. The employment of these plastics sheets provides successful moderation of soil temperature, limit weed growth, and prevent moisture loss. This increases the yields by 30% at low costs. Countries across the world with agricultural sectors as one of their chief suppliers of food, feed, and fiber, incorporated their interests towards the consumption of plastics for cultivation.
When we talk of plastics in agriculture, we are introduced to the term Plasticulture. Plasticulture in India came as a helping hand to farmers to help double their farm income by 2022 with a 14% contribution to the national economy. The mitigation measures of it would solve problems caused by erratic nature, reduce water usage, prevent contamination from external agents, and soil erosion.
To elaborate, Plasticulture helps distribute water to farmlands judiciously, thereby conserving a natural resource. It also reduces harvesting losses caused by unfavorable weather conditions, infiltration of weeds, pests, and others that inflict harm to the crops and increases the output value of the produce with sustainable agricultural practices.
The extensive variety of plastics prove beneficial on farms for operations and economic efficiency. For instance, Greenhouses, also known as intensive-care units, make use of protected cultivation films i.e. they are covered with firm nets of plastics through a frame. A closed large structure that lasts 6 to 45 months depending on photo stabilizers, geographic location, weather, and use of pesticides provides plants with correct sunlight exposure and conditions with physiological properties. They also create appropriate environmental conditions to avoid extreme and harmful temperatures therefore, extends growing season and protects crops from pests, the crops grow in a controlled environment.
High tunnels, on the other hand, have functions similar to a greenhouse. But, high tunnels have an open structure and therefore cannot control the environment like that of a greenhouse. They are not permanent and its pipe or framework is covered by a single layer of greenhouse – grade 4 to 6 mil plastic. High tunnels and greenhouses help extend the growing season by creating a favorable regional environment. Due to their beneficial features, maximum utilization of greenhouses and high tunnels are seen in China, with ongoing development in South Europe and annual growth in Africa and the Middle East.
Another area that uses plastics is mulching. Mulch is a layer of material(s) that covers soil-surface with plastics film that helps maintain humidity and reduces evaporation, improves thermal conditions, prevents weed from overtaking water, and the nutrients of the plants. It is a water conservation technique that manipulates an increase in crop yields and improves product quality by controlling soil temperature, retaining moisture, and reducing evaporation. It makes use of protective cultivated films like plastics covers that reduce weed and pest pressure while lessening stabilizer and fertilizer use. Plastics mulches make use of Low Density and Linear Low Density Polyethylene (LDP and LLDP) which can later be retrieved and disposed after usage. Greenhouses and high tunnels also make use of it for the ground.
Another use of protected cultivation films is for low tunnels. Low tunnels provide same effects as greenhouses but have different complexity and height. Their structure is built high enough to cover the canopy of plants. The films used are thinner than those of high tunnels and the plastics have a shorter lifespan, about 6 to 8 months i.e. less than one agricultural campaign. The polymers used are EVA or EBA copolymers that have transparency, clarity, and thermal insulating effects.
Silages are proof of the value of plastics in agriculture. Silage piles are covered with plastics to protect the product and keep it safe and fresh. The plastics film is resistant to dust, rain, moisture, and other external elements and have airtight seals that prevent rotting. They are cost effective and can be easily transported. The silages can impart long periods of storage capacity that help in the output of farmlands that increases income.
In order to store animal grains and straws, to protect bale production, silages were developed. It provides flexible harvest dates, less weather dependency, and greater flexibility in ration formulation. There are 2 types of silages, individual, in which each bale is wrapped as a solo unit, and second, where the bale is positioned end to end with a PE-film wrap applied around large-round bales. Its usage is strategically high in the northern parts of Europe.
A general supply of plastics is seen in the manufacturing of nets for harvesting and post-harvesting practices. Plastics nets made by twisting plastics threads in a knitted form allows fluids to flow through. Nets most widely make use of raw materials of High Density Polyethylene (HDPE) and PP, and possess anti-hail, anti-bird, and anti-wind features. They are also used for picking and aid to modify microenvironment around a crop. It protects plants against virus-vector insects and also provides shade for the interior of greenhouses. There is an approximate 17% calculated usage of it in Italy.
Furthermore, plastics irrigation pipes are used to prevent water and nutrients wastage. Plastics reservoirs and irrigation systems deliver rainwater retention facilities that contribute to water management. Water can be stored in dams covered with plastics material to avoid leakage and this water is then distributed to other systems via pipes. As a part of micro-irrigation, it also helps in drip irrigation in the form of sprinklers. The farm plastics used for piping in irrigation or draining is resistant to dust and corrosion. It is also helpful for water reservoirs, channel lining, irrigation tapes and pipes, drainage pipes, and drippers.
From storage of crops in closed spaces under a plastics film to reduction in emission of pesticides, as they remain fixed on plastics covers, plastics play a vital role in agriculture. Boxes, lightweight crates for crop collecting, handling and transporting or for displaying crops, tapes used for greenhouses, silage films, fumigation films, bale twines and wraps, nursery pots, strings and ropes, all prove to be highly functional plastics products.
On a side note, packaging of fertilizer sacks, agrochemical can containers, and tanks for liquid storage make use of plastics in the agricultural field as well as pond liners and artificial ponds that conserve water in monsoons.
Protected cultivated films are the largest group of plastics used in agriculture, 4.4 million tons, according to a study in 2012. The United States Department of Agriculture confirmed that there is, “… a use of plastics in crop production and cultivation protection, including plastics film mulches, row covers, tunnels, and greenhouses…”.
In conclusion, the real challenge in the consumption of plastics in agriculture is to ensure the maximum life-span of films and disposal with minimal damage to the environment. There are many recycling and recovery opportunities for agricultural plastics like greenhouse covers to be recycled. They are washed thoroughly on retrieval, before grinding and extruding into pellets, and may be used to make outdoor furniture. After recycling they add to the value chain, operation, technical and economic efficiency. Along with mechanical recycling and chemical recycling, energy recovery is also available, all with the use of plastics in agriculture. The National Collection Schemes (NCS) states that agri-plastics waste increases circular economy and avoids the negative impact on the environment by recycling it and incorporating recyclates into new products.
Plastics Paving Our Way to the Sky
Since 1970, plastics have been a major component in the aerospace industry. Though plastic materials were established in the late 1800s and set in use in the 1930s, it was not until World War II that it was installed in aircrafts. Owing to the lack of several manufacturing supplies in the war-time, engineers initially saw to plastics to substitute rubber components in airplanes. One of the first applications for aerospace plastic components was the lining for fuel tanks. Ultimately, high performance plastics were industrialized to be used in parts of planes and helicopters.
Various components and navigational functions, structural elements and interior components are all made out of plastic. Plastic has numerous advantages like lightweight properties, ten times lighter than their metal counterparts, and can be economic in nature. It is also prone to resist corrosive materials and do well in chemically severe surroundings. Transparent plastics on the other hand have more impact resistance than glass, which increases safety. These factors make plastics an ideal choice in comparison to the metal alloys usually employed in the aerospace industry
Some common plastics and their possible applications are conversed below.
Polyetheretherketone (PEEK), is a semi-crystalline organic polymer favoured in the aerospace industry. It is used in conditions where it may be bare to low temperatures and atmospheric elements. Its applications can originate in pump gears and valve seats. It can endure huge quantities of radioactivity and has excessive resistance to hydrolysis i.e. it can be exposed to high-pressures of water and vapor without degrading. Besides, it displays great thermal and mechanical properties of low flammability and creep resistance. PEEK’s functioning temperature goes up to 450 °F. Common applications consist of valve seats and pump gears.
Thermosetting Polyimide is used in countless physical applications in the aerospace industry. It has high resistance to chemicals and shows outstanding mechanical properties. The major benefit that it proposes is the ductileness, ceramics and less in weight than metals. Instances of probable applications include electric standoffs (spacers) and insulators for threaded nuts and other components.
Polyamide-imide (PAI) is favoured due to its resilience to most substances and radiation at room temperature. It is fire resistant and therefore does not let off fume when it burns. It has a high mechanical strength that holds up to 500 °F. Due to these assets, PAI is often used as a replacement for many metal components in the aerospace industry.
Polychlorotrifluoroethylene (PCTFE), a fluorochemical plastic, a material suitable to be used in or outside corrosive surroundings. It has an ideal combination of physical and mechanical properties, fire and chemical resistance, and very low moisture absorption. It can bear temperatures from -400 °F to +400 °F and displays countless electrical properties making it a fitting choice for aerospace applications.
Polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) is a fluorocarbon polymer and an electrical insulator. It has high tear resistance, low flammability and can retain its properties in aerospace conditions. PTFE is used for insulating the myriad wires and cables in an aircraft.
There is a diversity in the usage of plastics in aerospace applications as it weighs less, doesn’t erode, manufactures easily, is flame, fume, toxicity and heat release acquiescent. It offer a comprehensive flexibility in terms of design, colour, and texture. Plastic parts last longer and need not as much of maintenance than other materials. One of the prime motives for using plastics is eradicate weight from the plane thus reduces fuel consumption and cost. Therefore, plastics are used both inside and outside the aircraft, including cargo containers, dashboard enclosures, cockpit visors, dashboard enclosures, nose cones, beverage carts, counter backsplashes, mirrors, toilets, ceiling and wall panels and partitions, flooring, light lenses, signage, video bezels, various seating parts, window reveals, shades and dust panes.
For the economy of now, the hiked fuel cost and the appeal to lower ticket prices stimulates airline companies to buy minimum weighted aircrafts. With its light weight and resistance to high temperatures and corrosive materials, plastics can substitute metal or rubber components. The next decades will soon see aircrafts with plastic wings and tails.