Mitsubishi Chemical Corporation has decided to withdraw from the polybutylene succinate (PBS) business at PTT MCC Biochem, its jointly owned affiliate with PTT Global Chemical Public Company. The production asset in Rayong Province,Thailand will shut down in December 2025 and sales will end once stock runs out. The GS Pla (Green and Sustainable Plastic) brand of PBS was launched in 2003 with 3,000 tonnes/year of capacity. PBS is a biodegradable plastic that decomposes into wa

Japan's Asahi Kasei will cease production of polyethylene resins by March 2030. Currently, the company manufactures low-density polyethylene (LDPE), ethylene vinyl acetate (EVA) and high-density polyethylene (HDPE) under the Suntec-LD and Suntec-EVA, and Suntec-HD and Creolex brands. Creolex HDPE is produced using metallocene catalyst technology. Creolex metallocene HDPE grades exhibit excellent thermal stability and are additive-free in certain formulations. The materials co

German materials manufacturer Covestro and China’s Ninetygo have announced the global launch of the luggage brand’s new R-GO Coffee Journey Series suitcase, made with polycarbonate containing up to 90 percent post-consumer recycled (PCR) content from Covestro. “The circular economy must prove its value in markets. The global launch of this new suitcase shows recycled materials can meet expectations for both performance and design,” said Lily Wang, President of Engineering Pla

Japan's Toyobo has developed what it describes as the industry’s first biaxially oriented polyethylene furanoate (PEF) film made from 100% plant-derived materials, Samples of the product will start shipping in June. Although entirely plant-derived, PEF film offers 60% higher rigidity and ten times better oxygen gas barrier properties than petroleum-derived polyethylene terephthalate (PET) films. These properties enable PEF films to enhance the reliability and functional perfo

A breakthrough method for chemically recycling polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA or acrylic) resin has been developed by researchers at the University of Bath. In contrast to conventional mechanical recycling, the new process employd lower temperatures and sustainable solvents without compromising material quality, meaning the plastic can be recycled many times over with minimal environmental impact. Approximately 3 million tonnes of acrylic are used worldwide each year, in a wi