SPE Library

The SPE Library contains thousands of papers, presentations, journal briefs and recorded webinars from the best minds in the Plastics Industry. Spanning almost two decades, this collection of published research and development work in polymer science and plastics technology is a wealth of knowledge and information for anyone involved in plastics.

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Recycling

Various topics related to sustainability in plastics, including bio-related, environmental issues, green, recycling, renewal, re-use and sustainability.

The Really Big, Very Small Plastic Problem Crushing Our Oceans

Eriksen Brown, April 2018

“Technical” nutrients need to circulate in healthy loops and not escape into nature

Recycled Carbon Fibers for Automotive Applications_FINAL (rev 09.25.18).docx

Chris Surbrook, April 2018

Carbon fiber reinforced plastic (CFRP), is a very strong and light weight plastic. Similar to glass-reinforced plastic, these fibers are used to increase the strength and stiffness of the polymer into which they are incorporated. The resulting materials provide tensile and modulus values comparable to aluminum with about half the weight. Because of these mechanical properties, the materials have many applications in aerospace, automotive, bicycles, and sailboats where balancing strength and stiffness with density are important. They are also becoming increasingly common in small consumer goods as well, such as laptop computers, golf clubs, and musical instruments. The following chart shows the prediction for overall carbon fiber demand and supply through 2020. Demand will outstrip supply by the end of that period, which likely will prompt additional expansion from carbon fiber suppliers, perhaps in the 2018-2019 timeframe. Through 2024, the data also anticipate a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) in carbon fiber demand of 9.21%. Currently, the aerospace industry is the largest consumer of carbon fiber reinforced materials where the carbon fiber is most commonly used to reinforce thermoset plastics. The thermosetting resins used are primarily vinyl epoxy and polyester. The carbon fiber is typically woven or aligned and then saturated with uncured resins which generates a material referred to as pre-preg. The pre-preg materials are then catalyzed and cured into parts. Due to the rigorous demands of aerospace applications, typical work in process scrap rates for raw materials are approximately 30%. It is estimated that the aerospace industry will scrap almost 9,000 tonnes annually by 2020, and that approximately 3,400 tonnes of that scrap will be comprised of carbon fiber. An article in Composites World titled “Carbon Fiber Reclamation: Going Commercial”2, Carl Ulrich, Managing Director of Allstreams LLC (McLean, VA) explained, “Carbon fiber recycling is an attractive market niche because it's driven not just by the financials, but also by recent government incentives, and by the desire for manufacturers to have green manufacturing processes and products.” Carbon fiber recycling not only prevents the waste of virgin carbon fiber in landfills after its first use, but components produced using the recycled fiber are themselves recyclable, because carbon can retain a significant portion of its virgin properties even after a second reclamation. Further, the recycling process itself significantly reduces energy costs. Boeing estimates that carbon fiber can be recycled at approximately 70 percent of the cost to produce virgin fiber ($8/lb to $12/lb vs. $15/lb to $30/lb), using less than 5 percent of the electricity required (1.3 to 4.5 kWH/lb vs. 25 to 75 kWH/lb).

SPE Bioplastic and Renewable Technologies Division March 2018 Newsletter

SPE Bioplastic and Renewable Technologies Division, March 2018

Read the latest issue of the SPE Bioplastic and Renewable Technologies Division newsletter.

Accelerating Sustainability in Petrochemicals

Larry Gros, February 2018

Plenary: Industry Trends

Energy Recovery Using the EnergyBag™

Jill Martin, February 2018

Sustainability in Packaging

Extractives Analysis of Recycled Polyolefins for Food Contact Applications-

Autumn Rudlong, February 2018

Sustainability in Packaging

In-Situ Melt Catalysis--The Ultimate Answer to Compabilizing Addition and Condensation Polymers

Salvatore Monte, February 2018

Sustainability Metrics and Characterization

Mainstreaming Sustainable Chemistry

Dominique DeBecker, February 2018

Plenary: Industry Trends

Opportunities to Close the Loop with Non-Mechanical Recycling

Emily Tipaldo, February 2018

Sustainability Metrics and Characterization

Sustainable Flexible Packaging--A Resin Supplier's View

Lawrence Effer, February 2018

Sustainability in Packaging

Sustainable Stabilization Solutions that Accelerate Polyolefin Market Adoption

Jian-Yang Cho, February 2018

Recent Advances in Additives - Paper: As institutions implement mandates requiring CO 2 emissions reductions and light weighting, the need for sustainable plastics will grow. This presentation will discuss examples of how product development utilizing high - performance stabilizers can support the p olyolefins industry in becoming more economically and ecologically sustainable.

Sustainable Stabilization Solutions that Accelerate Polyolefin Market Adoption

Jian-Yang Cho, February 2018

Recent Advances in Additives - Presentation: As institutions implement mandates requiring CO 2 emissions reductions and light weighting, the need for sustainable plastics will grow. This presentation will discuss examples of how product development utilizing high - performance stabilizers can support the p olyolefins industry in becoming more economically and ecologically sustainable.

The Evolving Role of Packaging in the Circular Economy

Jennifer Ronk, February 2018

Sustainability in Packaging

Towards Sustainability

Robert Flores, February 2018

Sustainability in Packaging

Unilever’s Packaging Journey

Julie Zaniewski, February 2018

Sustainability in Packaging

Influence of Post-Consumer Recycled Content (PCR) and Pigments in Polyethylene Properties

Emily Hurban, February 2018

Sustainability Metrics and Characterization - Paper: Commercially recycled linear low-density polyethylene (LLDPE) pellets containing pigments were blended individually by weight then extruded with varying levels of recycled content. Either calcium carbonate only (white) or a mixture of white and carbon black pigment were blended with recycled polymer at virgin/recycled ratios of 0, 20, 40, 60, 80, and 100% wt/wt. Each blend was evaluated by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), ultraviolet-visible (UV-Vis) and fluorescence spectroscopy. Linear relationships were investigated for statistical significance of PCR content and pigment on extruded sheet properties. Extractions in n-hexane were carried out in accordance with Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Title 21, B, Part 177.1520 to determine compliance for uses with direct food contact. Results of thermal and spectrophotometric analysis did show potential for PCR marker identification. All extractives were below allowable threshold of 5% per CFR suggesting the potential use of recycled polyethylene for direct food contact applications. More research is needed to evaluate the use of various feedstock sources of recycled polyethylene for direct food contact application.

Influence of Post-Consumer Recycled Content (PCR) and Pigments in Polyethylene Properties

Emily Hurban, February 2018

Sustainability Metrics and Characterization - Presentation: Commercially recycled linear low-density polyethylene (LLDPE) pellets containing pigments were blended individually by weight then extruded with varying levels of recycled content. Either calcium carbonate only (white) or a mixture of white and carbon black pigment were blended with recycled polymer at virgin/recycled ratios of 0, 20, 40, 60, 80, and 100% wt/wt. Each blend was evaluated by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), ultraviolet-visible (UV-Vis) and fluorescence spectroscopy. Linear relationships were investigated for statistical significance of PCR content and pigment on extruded sheet properties. Extractions in n-hexane were carried out in accordance with Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Title 21, B, Part 177.1520 to determine compliance for uses with direct food contact. Results of thermal and spectrophotometric analysis did show potential for PCR marker identification. All extractives were below allowable threshold of 5% per CFR suggesting the potential use of recycled polyethylene for direct food contact applications. More research is needed to evaluate the use of various feedstock sources of recycled polyethylene for direct food contact application.

In-process Monitoring of Recycled Polyethylene for Catalyst and Regulated Metals Using Novel Applications in X-ray Technologies

Keith Vorst, February 2018

Sustainability Metrics and Characterization - Paper: Commercially available virgin and post - consumer recycled (PCR) polyethylene was characterized fo r catalyst (Ti, Pb, Al, Cr, Fe) during sheet extrusion of varying levels of PCR content (0, 30, 40, 90, 95 and 100%). An energy dispersive x-ray fluorescence (XRF) detection system was installed in the extrusion line directly after the die. The X-ray spectra and raw counts were obtain ed every 45 seconds and reported with sample time and sheet location within the roll. Data were uploaded every 45 seconds to a secured custom web-based software platform. Process samples were compared to bench top analysis using Inductively Coupled Plasm a Optical Emission Spectroscopy (ICP-OES). Our results indicate the potential use of XRF for in-process catalyst and regulated monitoring for polymer performance, safety and traceability in recycled plastics before and during conversion. More research is needed for validation of in-process monitoring systems for conversion processes and feedstock sources.

In-process Monitoring of Recycled Polyethylene for Catalyst and Regulated Metals Using Novel Applications in X-ray Technologies

Keith Vorst, February 2018

Sustainability Metrics and Characterization - Presentation: Commercially available virgin and post - consumer recycled (PCR) polyethylene was characterized fo r catalyst (Ti, Pb, Al, Cr, Fe) during sheet extrusion of varying levels of PCR content (0, 30, 40, 90, 95 and 100%). An energy dispersive x-ray fluorescence (XRF) detection system was installed in the extrusion line directly after the die. The X-ray spectra and raw counts were obtain ed every 45 seconds and reported with sample time and sheet location within the roll. Data were uploaded every 45 seconds to a secured custom web-based software platform. Process samples were compared to bench top analysis using Inductively Coupled Plasm a Optical Emission Spectroscopy (ICP-OES). Our results indicate the potential use of XRF for in-process catalyst and regulated monitoring for polymer performance, safety and traceability in recycled plastics before and during conversion. More research is needed for validation of in-process monitoring systems for conversion processes and feedstock sources.

Model Validation for Composite Railroad Ties Using Micro-Mechanics Modelling and Experimental Four-Point Bend Testing Made from Recycled Polyolefins

Daniel Pulipati, February 2018

Sustainability Metrics and Characterization - Paper: The purpose of this research is to model the deflection behavior of railroad ties fabricated from recycled polyolefin post-consumer/post-industrial waste composed of HDPE (High Density Poly Ethylene) and PP/FG (Poly Propylene/Fiber Glass). A technical challenge in predicting the final part performance is a limited understanding of the impact of microstructural variations due to processing variability on the final produced part's spatially varying material properties. The ties fabricated using extrusion molding techniques have a solid shell region on the outer surface and an inner foamed core. The foamed core region has cells of differing dimensions and the resulting effective material properties will vary as a function of the cell size and density. The shell and the foamed core regions are an alyzed using micromechanics models for the prediction of the stiffness. The stiffness of the foamed core is calculated using the Monte Carlo method to investigate the macroscopic sensitivity to microstructural variations. The elastic moduli obtained from micromechanics is used for the shell and foam regions in a Finite Element model, and the computational results are compared to those obtained from experimental four point bend test results with a difference between the model and experiment being less than 2% for the predicted effective stiffness.