Sustainability and environmental protection are key topics for the plastics and rubber industries. Modern materials have to be produced sustainably and be biodegradable or recyclable. At the same time, they have to meet the high demands made by industry, for example, on mechanical strength. At K 2019 the Japanese speciality chemicals producer Kuraray is presenting its extensive range of brands - Eval, Septon Bio-series TPE raw materials, Plantic, Clarino, MonoSol, Mowital, Septon, Hybrar, Kurarity, Kuraray Poval, Mowiflex and Genestar. Materials like the new EVOH copolymer Eval, which is readily recyclable, and the bio-based TPE Septon Bio-series are unique materials that combine performance with sustainability.

Covestro announced that several of its Platilon thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) film products have recently been certified with Standard 100 by Oeko-Tex, which confirms their high level of product safety for consumers. According to the company, the TPU films are ideal for many smart and pollution-free textile applications. They are breathable, waterproof, tear-resistant and skin-friendly. That makes them the material of choice for sports articles and outdoor clothing, but also for furniture and seat covers for cars, said the manufacturer.

The silicone specialist Wacker will be introducing at K 2019 a silicone-based additive for thermoplastic elastomers, especially thermoplastic polyurethanes. The additive is said to lower the hardness of TPUs, while boosting their elasticity and enhancing their properties. The surfaces of moulded parts modified with the additive are pleasantly soft to the touch and more resistant to scratches, abrasion and contamination.

The speciality chemicals company Lanxess announced that it will focus primarily on the topics of new mobility, urbanisation and digitalisation. All in all, six of Lanxess' eleven business units – High Performance Materials, Urethane Systems, Polymer Additives, Rhein Chemie, Inorganic Pigments, and Advanced Industrial Intermediates – will be showcasing their products at K 2019.

Rampf Group, Inc. has developed a fully automated production cell with Cure-on-Demand (CoD) technology for the bonding of car parts. According to the company, the integration of CoD technology into joining tools facilitates the fast and reliable bonding of plastic components. Automotive adhesives are designed for high final strength and elasticity. For an effective application process, they must be flowable and precisely metered. To achieve the required adhesion and internal strength, the adhesives require relatively long curing times, said Rampf.

The Adhesive and Sealant Council (ASC) announced that it has partnered with Ducker Frontier to provide ASC members visibility into market opportunities and growth potential in the building and construction market in North America.

JGC Corp., Ebara Environmental Plant Co., Ube Industries and Showa Denko KK (SDK) have begun a study of collaboration for an engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) business for plastic waste gasification facilities using the Ebara Ube Process (EUP).

Songwon Industrial Co., Ltd. announced that it will showcase its portfolio of solutions for the plastics industry at K 2019. The company said it will feature an array of products and application-tailored solutions that enable applications across sectors such as automotive, electronics, packaging and films, healthcare, and agriculture. Another feature will be the company's increased focus on sustainability, underscoring its commitment to the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals and to addressing pressing issues – including energy and greenhouse gas reduction, water conservation and material efficiency.

The Swiss company FoamPartner Fritz Nauer AG has developed a foam product family, which is characterised by very low emission levels for use in automotive headliners with high demands on processability and design. The new ether-based foam technology is said to combine high surface quality with lowest volatile organic compounds (VOC) and fogging (FOG) values. The company will present the new products at Foam Expo Europe 2019 from 10 – 12 September 2019 in Stuttgart, Germany.

Polyurethane experts from Huntsman are taking part in Foam Expo Europe 2019, Europe’s largest trade fair and conference for the technical foam manufacturing supply chain, from 10 – 12 September 2019 in Stuttgart, Germany. At the exhibition and during the associated speaker sessions, Huntsman will highlight the wide range of polyurethane-based foam solutions it provides, focusing specifically on mobility, comfort and construction applications.