Cefic, the European Chemical Industry Council, said 92 % of all non-compliant chemicals in consumer products come from outside the European Union (EU), confirming an "urgent" need for EU member states to "step up" enforcement of REACH (Registration, Evaluation, Authorization and Restriction of Chemicals) in imports.

Vietnam’s key industries such as textiles, rubber and plastic must take measures to prepare for a shortage of raw materials as a result of the outbreak of the novel coronavirus in China, warned industry leaders and economic experts. Firms may still have some breathing space having stocked up before the Lunar New Year holidays, but things could get tricky soon.

Covestro has showcased its latest materials for healthcare applications at MD&M West Conference and Exposition (stand 2221) from 11 – 13 February 2020 in Anaheim, CA, USA.

Additive manufacturing is making giant strides in changing the world of the manufacturing industry. What once was limited to prototypes is today more and more often being used for smaller quantities and spare parts, in particular. Thanks to the relatively straightforward and tool-free equipment of the devices, even sophisticated parts can be printed quickly and in the very place where they are needed. The technology provides enormous potential for significant savings of time, work and costs. 3D printing of soft materials is still a challenge, however market opportunities for 3D printed soft parts are immense.

On 28 January 2020, Lubrizol Engineered Polymers announced the commercial launch of its thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) Estane 3D TPU M95A, which is said to be the only TPU certified for HP’s Multi Jet Fusion 4200 series 3D printing solution.

A research team with participation of Evonik has achieved a breakthrough in the field of carbonylation chemistry. Carbonylation is one of the most important types of reaction in the chemical industry. It involves the catalysed introduction of a CO group (carbonyl group) into organic compounds. For more than 60 years, science and industry had been looking for a way to implement the now successful reaction step.

Covestro announced that it will showcase its latest materials for healthcare applications at MD&M West Conference and Exposition (stand 2221) from 11 – 13 February 2020 in Anaheim, CA, USA.

Virginia Janssens has been appointed as Managing Director of PlasticsEurope, the pan-European trade association representing plastics manufacturers. Janssens will take up her role on 16 March 2020. She has been the Managing Director of the European Organization for Packaging and the Environment (Europen) since 2012.

Due to the coronavirus outbreak, several exhibition organisers have announced their decisions to postpone and reschedule coming trade shows, including amongst others Chinaplas 2020, Tyre & Rubber Indonesia 2020, CIFM / interzum guangzhou 2020, SPS – Industrial Automation Fair Guangzhou (SIAF) and Asiamold 2020.

Malaysian glove makers are prepared to gear up to produce more gloves to meet the requirements if the coronavirus outbreak, which originated in Wuhan, China, becomes pandemic. Malaysian Rubber Glove Manufacturers Association (Margma) president Denis Low issued the statement on Friday (24 January 2020) to allay the fear that there may be a shortage of medical gloves in the face of the onslaught of the coronavirus in Wuhan.