Learn how natural rubber can be part of the climate change actions (IRSG, CIFOR/FTA, CIRAD) and how renewable carbon can become an alternative carbon source for the chemical and plastics industry. Read the summary of an independent academic study presented in August 2020 on Continental’s role in the Third Reich and how Fraunhofer LBF enables dynamic plastics testing even at low temperatures without thermal chamber. Find reports on the Virtual double event Foam Expo Connect and Adhesive & Bonding Expo Connect as well as the 30th International Colloquium Plastics Technology of the IKV, which was held as a virtual conference as well, and a Preview to Chinaplas 2021.

The Board of Hexpol AB has appointed Georg Brunstam President and CEO for Hexpol AB effective 20 November 2020. The company said in a statement issued on 23 October 2020, that Brunstam is currently Chairman of the Board for Hexpol AB, and this assignment will end when he assumes his new role. Brunstam has previously been President and CEO for Hexpol AB 2007-2017.

The Society of Plastics Engineers (SPE) announced CoreTech System Co., Ltd. (Moldex3D) as a Preferred Partner on 1 October 2020. An SPE Preferred Partner is a converter, manufacturer, solutions provider or product distributor that has been recognised by SPE for demonstrated leadership and innovation in the plastics industry. Their products and services are valuable to SPE’s members.

Mocom Compounds GmbH & Co. KG, a former division of Albis Plastic GmbH and part of the owner-managed Otto Krahn Group, is now operating as an independent company. With the entry into the commercial register, the last formal step of the spin-off of the compounding division has now been completed. This was announced by the company on 19 October 2020. The Otto Krahn Group also includes the plastics distributor Albis, the Krahn Chemie Group and the plastics recycler Wipag.

According to the German family-owned company Arburg, its Technology Days have been a unique and firmly established event in the international world of plastics since 1999. In 2020, due to the coronavirus and with significant foresight at the time, the company cancelled the event to avoid exposing visitors and employees to risk. The motto of next year’s event will again be “Wir sind da.” (“We are here.”). Arburg announced that it has decided to host next year’s Technology Days in the summer of 2021, from 9 – 12 June 2021, rather than in the spring.

Under the brand name Norantox, Nordmann now offers its own product range of antioxidants and UV stabilisers for applications in plastics, coatings, construction and elastomers. The products have been registered with REACH and are available for purchase throughout Europe. The company already offers an extensive product portfolio of plastic additives, including flame retardants such as the Nord-Min range, rheology modifiers, impact modifiers and pigments. The new range currently includes the following products:

BASF SE will invest EUR 16 million into Pyrum Innovations AG, a technology company specialised in the pyrolysis of waste tyres, headquartered in Dillingen/Saar, Germany. With the investment, BASF will support the expansion of Pyrum’s pyrolysis plant and the further roll-out of the technology.

On 6 October 2020, Faurecia inaugurated its Global Center of Expertise for hydrogen storage systems in the presence of the President of the Bourgogne-Franche-Comté region Marie-Guite Dufay. Located in Bavans, France, and representing a total investment of EUR 25 million, this center of expertise aims to develop lightweight and cost-competitive hydrogen storage systems to accelerate hydrogen mobility.

DuPont has launched the new brand name Liveo for its extensive range of silicone healthcare solutions. From now on, the brand will strengthen the company's position in three key healthcare markets: Biopharmaceutical Processing, Pharmaceutical Solutions and Medical Devices.

Smithers, a leading provider of testing, consulting, information, and compliance services, appointed Dr. Natalie Jordan as Director of Materials Testing Operations. Natalie Jordan will be responsible for guiding and developing Smithers’ Materials Testing services to support the needs of clients across a range of industries including transportation, energy and industrial components.