INEOS Styrolution introduces styrenics based green compounding with ceramic-like appearance

INEOS Styrolution, the global leader in styrenics, has announced that a range of styrenics based polymers are an effective and sustainable alternative for ceramics, compared to traditional resin-based applications, said the company.

The styrenics based approach allows for recycling and there is no loss of the distinctive appearance of ceramics. In addition, energy consumption during production is significantly lower using a styrenics based solution than firing ceramics.

Together with partner Microfol Compounding, INEOS Styrolution has been evaluating a range of polystyrene and SBC based solutions to act as a substitute for ceramics. The results have been very compelling, delivering excellent properties for appearance, feel and weight. In fact, the results were so convincing that producers of hygienic consumer items, such as bath tubs, sinks or soap dishes, have signaled early interest in reviewing the data and application prototypes.

The SBC material used in this project is INEOS Styrolution’s Styroflex®, a copolymer with the properties of a thermoplastic elastomer (S-TPE), suitable for extrusion (including both blown and cast film) and injection molding. In particular, Styroflex contributes significantly to an increased impact strength of the new material. Today’s announcement comes only weeks after Styroflex has proven to be a superior cost-effective binder for bio based products like cork. Combining the new compounding solution with NAS, a stiff, amorphous styrene methyl methacrylate (SMMA) copolymer also results in a food contact compliant solution.

Peter Hofmann, Managing Director, Microfol Compounding, says: "At Microfol, we love finding innovative solutions to challenges in plastics. We are excited to be part of a development that may change how we work with ceramics, a material that is around for almost 30,000 years."

Stefan Meier, Business Development Manager at INEOS Styrolution, comments: "The versatility of styrenics continues to amaze us. The material – we also refer to "Ceramic White" – is a viable alternative for many uses and its recyclability always comes as a very much appreciated bonus on top."

We remind, INEOS Styrolution, the global leader in styrenics, today announces the introduction of its new Styrolux® ECO and K-Resin® ECO grades of sustainable polymers. The new grades contain bio-based renewable materials and are available now, across markets in the Americas. The company’s new line of ECO products provides their customers with drop-in solutions to significantly lower their carbon footprint and pave the way for a more sustainable ecosystem.

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Europe's environment ministers, the EU Commission and important industry representatives from across Europe gather in Sweden to discuss how to deal with climate change, said the company.

Perstorp, an industry leader with the ambition to become Finite Material Neutral, represents Swedish industry at the meeting.

The chemical industry is a transformational engine that enables sustainable solutions for the society as a whole, and Perstorp is a driving force in the industry to move away from fossil dependence and enable sustainable transformation throughout value chains.

Perstorp’s message at the EU ministers’ meeting today is clear: Europe is an important but limited market and for European industry to thrive and transform, the EU must unleash the innovation potential of its industry sector, through an efficient policy framework. Perstorp’s presence at the meeting is an opportunity to identify bottlenecks and sharpen EU policy for a better and faster transition to a fossil free economy with increased competitiveness.

We remind, more than 120 European packaging industry associations issued a joint letter urging co-legislators to preserve the internal market legal basis of the EU Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation in its entirety, as the best way to achieve the environmental and economic objectives of the proposal. The internal market legal basis addresses the differences among the various national rules on the management of packaging and packaging waste and resulting internal market barriers, while providing a high level of environmental protection.

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UK-based protective packaging distributor Macfarlane Packaging has inaugurated its second packaging Innovation Lab at its flagship Northwest Regional Distribution Centre in Heywood, near Manchester in England, said Nspackaging.

Built with an investment of GDP1.3m (USD1.61m), the 5,000ft? customer facility will create solutions that overcome the demanding packaging challenges. The Innovation Lab will also enable the company to test its new packaging solutions to overcome the challenges of supply chain handling.

Macfarlane Packaging’s design head Richard Garratt said: “Ongoing investment in our Innovation Labs allows us to push forward with the latest tools and technology to deliver creative solutions that reduce cost, improve sustainability and enhance customer experience.

“The new centre offers market-leading testing capability, including technical offerings with ISTA testing, load containment and climatic conditioning, all accessible remotely through an advanced video conferencing system that connects our UK and European operations together."

According to the protective packaging distributor, the Manchester site has a Packaging Optimiser software to lower the total cost and measure the CO2 equivalent impact of packaging. The lab has a network handling simulator that evaluates packaging solutions as per the International Safe Transport Association standards.

It also includes an atmospheric conditioning chamber that offers precise temperature and humidity testing for various uses. Additionally, the Innovation Lab supports full design, digital print and Computer Assisted Design (CAD) prototyping for making same-day packaging samples.

Other features include stretch wrapping and pallet load containment testing, a packaging automation showroom for new packaging machinery and a HoloLens mixed reality headset and augmented reality design tools.

Macfarlane Packaging national account director Rachel Fellows said: “Our Northwest Innovation Lab is uniquely equipped to help us do that and I am confident that it will be an asset for our customers – existing and new – as we work together to ensure their products are effectively and efficiently protected on their route to market."

The company’s Innovation Lab in Heywood builds on the success of its first facility located in Milton Keynes, Buckinghamshire. The first facility was opened in 2016.

We remind, more than 120 European packaging industry associations issued a joint letter urging co-legislators to preserve the internal market legal basis of the EU Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation in its entirety, as the best way to achieve the environmental and economic objectives of the proposal. The internal market legal basis addresses the differences among the various national rules on the management of packaging and packaging waste and resulting internal market barriers, while providing a high level of environmental protection.

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Puracy, the leading plant-based household cleaning and personal care brand, announces the launch of its Clean Can and Clean Can Starter Kit, the brand’s new sustainably-focused product that completely eliminates single-use plastic, said Nspackaging.

Puracy’s Clean Can utilizes the simplicity of a standard beverage can in a patent-pending cleaning system. Filled with the same natural, plant-based formula, this mindful innovation is part of Puracy’s larger mission – to create eco-friendly and safe, yet convenient and efficient, products for conscious consumers.

Just in time for Earth Day, Puracy’s product ingenuity addresses common concerns about how the consumer can be more responsible with the products we use. Puracy designed the Clean Can and Starter Kit to provide an affordable, planet-friendly option for shoppers, while also making it even easier to use and store. Unlike anything on the market, Clean Cans are 100% aluminum and infinitely recyclable, making it one of the most convenient refill formats ever designed and setting a new standard for the rest of the industry. Beginning this month, Puracy’s Clean Can and Starter Kit will launch its award-winning Everyday Surface Cleaner formula in refreshing scents like Green Tea and Lime and Organic Lemongrass, priced at USD9.99 for a Starter Kit, including one can cartridge of Surface Cleaner, and $3.99 for additional can cartridges.

“Since the beginning, we’ve been committed to making natural, effective products to clean your world and everything the world throws at it,” said Sean Busch, Co-founder of Puracy. “The Clean Can system is an extension of our dedication to delivering products to customers that don’t create extra effort and also give them the opportunity to make a positive change for our planet.”

Refills and concentrates for household products have surged in popularity, to help reduce single-use plastic; however, many of these options require extra steps, are bothersome to store, and often produce additional messes. Based on consumer insights, Puracy specifically designed the ready-to-use Clean Cans to be a frictionless solution that allows you to get back to cleaning in 10 seconds or less. Simply crack open the can, snap into the system, and you’re ready to go! The simple, yet clever design allows consumers to eliminate single-use products, making a greater impact on our planet as a whole. This is just the beginning, follow along as Puracy begins to roll out Clean Cans for its full suite of offerings.

We remind, more than 120 European packaging industry associations issued a joint letter urging co-legislators to preserve the internal market legal basis of the EU Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation in its entirety, as the best way to achieve the environmental and economic objectives of the proposal. The internal market legal basis addresses the differences among the various national rules on the management of packaging and packaging waste and resulting internal market barriers, while providing a high level of environmental protection.

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North American chemical railcar traffic rose 0.6% year on year to 46,491 loadings for the week ended 15 April, marking a first increase after six straight weekly declines, according to the latest freight rail data from Association of American Railroads.

For the first 15 weeks of 2023 ended 15 April, North American chemical rail traffic was down 3.6% year on year to 681,324, with US traffic down 6.6%, to 483,907 loadings.

In the US, chemical railcar loadings represent about 20% of chemical transportation by tonnage, with trucks, barges and pipelines carrying the rest. In Canada, chemical producers rely on rail to ship more than 70% of their products, with some exclusively using rail.

We remind, North American chemical railcar traffic fell for a sixth straight week, with loadings for the week ended 8 April down 9.3% year on year to 44,298, driven by a 10.3% decline in the US. For the first 14 weeks of 2023 ended 8 April, North American chemical rail traffic was down 3.9% year on year to 634,833 railcar loadings, with US traffic down 7.0%, to 450,701 loadings.

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