According to the Luxembourg-based company OCSiAl, testing of the ecotoxicity potential of Tuball single wall carbon nanotubes, carried out according to the relevant OECD guideline, has shown no toxic effects on algae, in contrast to a set of recent results on similar tests with multi wall carbon nanotubes. Among plausible reasons for this is the unique physical nature, particularly the high flexibility, of single wall carbon nanotubes compared with most other types of carbon nanomaterials, said the company.

At Fakuma 2018, Kraiburg TPE introduced a new manufacturing technology for thermoplastic elastomer hybrids (TEH), featuring an application-specific combination and a modifiability that are superior to the options provided by classic thermoplastic vulcanisates.

Covestro AG is tapping e-commerce on an experimental basis in China. The China market is the single largest contributor to Covestro's global sales. The company, formerly known as Bayer Material Science, expects to boost its total global sales via online channels to EUR 1 billion (USD 1.17 billion), by the end of 2019, said Markus Steilemann, its CEO. "We have great opportunities in terms of development here in China, particularly in e-commerce, because this is a market still very experimental, where customers love to try new things."

BASF will showcase its latest developments and a variety of products from its extensive portfolio at Fakuma 2018. Amongst others, the company will present the following highlights:

Trinseo has introduced four new series of thermoplastic elastomers at Detroit’s SPE Automotive TPO Conference (October 7-10, 2018). The four new TPE series include 16 new overmolding grades specifically developed for automotive applications, offering improved adhesion to Trinseo’s Magnum ABS and Pulse PC/ABS product range.

The Hamburg-based German company Lehmann&Voss&Co. KG is celebrating 35 years of Luvocom compounds at Fakuma 2018.

Hamburg-based Albis Plastic will be showcasing products and exhibits from long-term partners BASF, Covestro, Ineos Styrolution, Lanxess, LyondellBasell, Eastman, Solvay, MGG Polymers, and MBA Polymers, as well as its own portfolio of complimentary own brand products. The company said that main focus at the show will be on recycling, healthcare and lighting.

Thorsten Kröller, currently Head of the Business Line Plastics Additives at the Byk Division, was appointed as new president of Altana’s Actega division, effective from 1 March 2019. He succeeds Dr. Roland Peter, who will retire after over 20 years at Altana. At the same time, Kröller will join Altana’s Executive Management Team.

The Taiwanese TPE expert Phon Tech will exhibit at Fakuma 2018. A highlight at the stand in hall A7 will be new TPE grades that comply with German LFGB. 

TPE supplier APS Elastomers has worked with molders, inventors and entrepreneurs for years; helping them choose the proper material, find cost-effective solutions, conceptualize, develop and commercialize elastomer-based products. When Michael Fransko the owner of Houkie Worldwide, LLC was in need of a soft, yet durable material that would mold easy, he contacted Stephane Morin of APS Elastomers for advice. After discussing the challenges with the mold, APS recommended Zythane 4060A, a very soft TPU.