Month: April 2016

BPA back in the Spotlight

Bisphenol A, commonly known as BPA, is a building block chemical used primarily in polycarbonate plastics and epoxy resins.   The chemical raised health concerns due to the possibility of the chemical leaching from plastic or epoxy lined food containers.  The state of California ended a six-year long battle over listing BPA as a toxic chemical... Read more »

Celebrating More Sustainable Business Solutions this Earth Day

Traditionally, the plastics industry and the lubrication & grease industry haven’t had the best rap in terms of sustainability and “going green”.  Both industries, largely driven by petroleum-based feedstocks, are often viewed negatively in terms of environmental impact, but we would like to take a moment to highlight how innovations in the industry are changing... Read more »

Resins for Coatings Market Update

The resins market was hit hard by the economic crisis of 2008. Since then, there has been a consistent recovery in the market that is expected to continue through 2020. This growth includes a rise in acrylic, adhesive, and UV-curable resins specifically in the Asia-Pacific region. In this area, adhesives and sealants are in high... Read more »

Seashell Waste Leads to Innovative Flame Retardant Composites

Scientists may have discovered an innovative new way to recycle seashell waste.  Increased consumption of seafood has lead to a large volume of seashell waste which is typically disposed of in landfills or coastal waters.  Seashells are composed primarily of calcium carbonate, which is also a commonly used inorganic filler in plastics.  Now scientists may... Read more »

Oil Slump Felt Across Markets

Many sectors of manufacturing are reacting to the decline in oil prices.   Chemical prices from oil-based feedstocks have consistently fallen, leading to lower material costs and higher profit margins in some sectors.   Other industries, such as rubber manufacturing, whose materials serve the oil and gas field are feeling the effects of waning demand as oil... Read more »