plastics | MLT Analytics

INSIGHTS

Chemical Recycling Gets Boost in Japan

Chemical Recycling Japan, a subsidiary of oil refiner Idemitsu Kosan, has completed construction of a chemical recycling plant for converting post-consumer and post-industrial recovered plastics into oil; at a site in Ichihara City, Chiba Prefecture, Japan. The plant has aplastic processing capacity of 20,000 tonnes annual and is scheduled to commence commercial operations in April 2026. The company’s proprietary chemical recycling technology is centered on a catalyst-based c

18 hours ago1 min read

SABIC Exits Polyolefins, Engineering Plastics in Europe, Americas

SABIC has the signed two strategic transactions to divest its European Petrochemicals (EP) business to AEQUITA and its Engineering Thermoplastics (ETP) business in the Americas and Europe to MUTARES, for a total combined enterprise value of $950 million. SABIC’s EP business produces and markets various petrochemical and plastic products: ethylene, propylene, low- and high-density polyethylene (LDPE, LLDPE, and HDPE), polypropylene (PP), and value-added polymer compounds, and

Jan 91 min read

Toray Develops Antistatic ABS Resin for Semiconductor Processes

Toray Industries, Inc., has developed a highly antistatic version of Toyolacparel acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS) resin. The surface resistivity is 10 9 Ω/sq (one billion ohms per square), one-fifth that of the company’s conventional counterpart. Toyolacparel provides durable antistatic performance by forming a continuous-layer 3D network of antistatic polymer throughout the ABS resin. The high surface resistivity of the new compound reflects an improved molecular desig

Dec 18, 20252 min read

High Melt Strength PP Supports Mechanical Recycling

In collaboration with Promix Solutions, Borealis has developed recyclable, lightweight packaging using Borcycle M materials with post-consumer recycled (PCR) content. The EU’s Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR) sets ambitious targets: by 2030, all packaging must be 100% recyclable. Additionally, non-PET packaging in contact-sensitive applications must include at least 10% recycled content, while other plastic packaging must contain 35%. Promix's Microcell technol

Dec 15, 20251 min read

Bosch Power Tools Boost Circular Economy

Bosch has demonstrated how recycled plastics ban be reused in technical applications through the application of plastic from old devices in the housing of its UniversalImpact 800 impact drill. This special Closed-Loop Edition features an impressive 78% recycled housing material. The technical plastics in these devices – special plastics with properties, such as being especially durable or resistant – are currently mostly incinerated rather than recycled. These plastics are

Dec 8, 20253 min read

Start-up Seeks Funding for Sustainable Circuit Board Material

UK start-up Jiva Materials is seeking funding to further commercialization of a circuit board material made from natural fibers and a hot water-soluble, biodegradable resin. Soluboard cuts lifecycle emissions by 68% versus standard FR‑4 glass fiber/epoxy resin PCBs, makes devices lighter and allows efficient recovery of valuable metals. Soluboard combines natural fibers such as flax or jute with a non‑hazardous, water‑soluble biopolymer and a halogen‑free phosphorous flame r

Nov 24, 20251 min read

Toppan Launches Hybrid Manufacturing of BOPP and BOPE Films

Japan's Toppan and its India-based subsidiary Toppan Speciality Films Private Limited (TSF), have installed a hybrid manufacturing line capable of producing both biaxially-oriented polypropylene (BOPP) film and biaxially-oriented polyethylene (BOPE) on the same machine. With an extensive track record in the production of BOPP films, TSF is now launching production of BOPE on the new line to cater to diversifying demand. TSF will begin mass production on the new hybrid line f

Nov 11, 20251 min read

Propylene-based Elastomer Enables Foam Building Blocks from Mixed Recyclates

Incorporating recycled content into foamed products, particularly in the building and construction sector, can compromise product consistency, mechanical strength, and overall performance. Without effective solutions to process and reuse these mixed plastic streams, designing for recyclability remains a formidable challenge. To address the challenge, a collaborative effort across the value chain was initiated, involving key industry players including Erema, Moxietec, Engel,

Nov 3, 20252 min read

Wind Turbine Blade Recycling Receives a Boost

Owens Corning and Gjenkraft AS have signed a letter of intent (LoI) to advance circular solutions for composite waste. The initiative aims to close the loop for glass fiber materials by integrating recycled glass fibers recovered via Gjenkraft’s thermolysis-based process back into Owens Corning’s production of new glass fibers. In practice, this means composite waste will be converted into high-quality secondary raw materials — and then reintroduced into the value chain as

Oct 24, 20252 min read

New POE Supplier Starts Up Plant in China

Liaoning Dingjide Petrochemical has told MLT Analytics (MLTA) that it is in the "troubleshooting phase" of startup of its 200,000-tonnes/year polyolefin elastomer and plastomer (POE/POP) plant located in the Dalian Changxing Island National Petrochemical Industrial Park, Liaoning Province, China, with commercial operation slated for by the end of October 2025. Speaking to MLTA at the K Show in Dusseldorf, Germany, Head of Overseas Marketing Jason Sun noted that his company ha

Oct 22, 20252 min read