Raw Materials
Natural fiber – the bio-option to single use plastics
Plastic packaging materials have been essential to all product areas for decades. These materials offer a broad range flexibility, excellent barrier properties and durability. However, legislative focus on single-use plastics and microplastics has begun to change the market’s perception of these longstanding materials. As a result, there are two main requirements the market is demanding: …
Mycelium – fibers of the future?
A critical review on the mycelium production methods. Natural fibers have always played an important role for humans, having been used since ancient times for the creation of clothing, footwear and everyday objects. Historically, these fibers come in a variety of ways and from a variety of sources, most of which from plants or animals. …
World supply – highlights in upstream business
World supply was pushed by manmade fibers but century’s average annual growth rate was missed in the third consecutive year and adverse conditions prevailing make a return to the long-term growth path rather highly disputable. Global supply rose less than 4% to 127 million tonnes, equal to an average 15 kg per capita consumption. The …
A net zero vision
A hail of silver bullets required – getting plastics to net zero What if all plastics, including synthetic fibers and nonwovens, could become net zero in greenhouse gas emissions (GHGs) by 2050? This tantalizing possibility is raised in a new report, Reshaping Plastics by Munich-based Systemiq. The report was, in turn, cited as an example …
Shooting for the moon with new nylons in 2022
There can be no more potent a symbol of the golden age of synthetic fibers than the planting of the U.S. flag on the moon by Buzz Aldrin on July 21st, 1969. The flag was famously purchased by a NASA secretary from Sears for $5.50, and despite nylon’s unbeatable durability, cannot possibly have endured what …