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.

The SPE Library is just one of the great benefits of being an SPE member! Are you taking advantage of all of your SPE Benefits?

Not an SPE member? Join today!

Use % to separate multiple keywords.

Search SPE Library

Recycling

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

The Use OF Recycled Post Consumer Content To Manufacture Automotive Grade Tufted PET Carpet

Duane M. Juriga, March 2010

New breakthroughs in PET (polyethylene terephthalate) carpet fiber and manufacturing techniques, have lead to significant advancements in tufted PET carpet technology. The most significant enhancements have occurred through improvements in material performance characteristics while also incorporating significant percentages of post consumer recycled content in the production of automotive grade tufted PET main floor carpet and floor mats. This paper will discuss the development and use of post consumer recycled PET in automotive carpets and it’s environmental benefits verse traditional tufted automotive carpet materials. The abundent material feedsteam and outstanding material properties of food grade recycled PET, make it an excellent material staple to incorporate into tufted automotive carpet.

Sustainable Plastic Packaging in California with Reduced Carbon Footprint and Reduced Waste

Joseph P. Greene, March 2010

Plastic packaging can be made more sustainable by reducing its carbon footprint and solid waste during production of plastic bags. Life cycle assessment is used to compare the carbon emissions and waste generation while producing plastic bags. The environmental impact of plastic bag manufacturing is compared to the environmental impact of paper bag manufacturing. Plastic bag manufacturing emits less carbon dioxide, consume less energy, produce much less waste, and require significantly less water than paper bag manufacturing. Plastic bag manufacturing can meet California’s 50% diversion rate requirements by utilizing post industrial and post consumer plastics. Plastic bag manufacturing plants can certify their carbon reductions and waste diversion performance through a non-profit organization that performs energy and waste audits at the manufacturing operations. Increased recycling can provide carbon credits for manufacturing companies.

Harness the Sun for Waste Management

Joan Magrath, March 2010

Communities everywhere face a challenge of managing trash collection. On average, Americans throw away 30 lbs of trash per week—that's 245 million tons of municipal solid waste each year and it is increasing at an alarming rate. Cities and towns have responded by increasing the number of receptacles and scheduling more pick-ups; but at the same time, budgets have tightened, especially when it comes to fuel, labor, and equipment. How do beaches keep birds from feeding on the overflowing trash and generating high levels of E-Coli? How do they keep wind-blown trash out of rivers, lakes and oceans? Despite all efforts, trash remains the top nuisance complaint. As a grad student, Jim Poss, now President of Big Belly Solar, wanted to make his mark. Poss learned that garbage trucks consume over 1 billion gallons of diesel each year in the U.S. alone. His conclusion - saving fuel is environmentally and fiscally sound. He came up with the idea for a solar powered trash compactor. Use the sun to power a trash bin that will hold more, require less frequent pick ups, save energy and look good. He founded Big Belly Solar and the first solar powered trash compactor came to be. Big Belly Solar partnered with Mack Molding as their development partner and contract manufacturer. From concept to production, we have met every challenge presented. The original model, while it worked well, was costly to manufacture. The resulting product has achieved cost goals, improved efficiency and product features, conserved energy and, finally, converted a prototype unit into a well designed and well manufactured product. We then answered consumer desires and addressed recycling needs. The ultimate challenge was met with a wireless feature that enables each unit to communicate when a service pick-up is required, again saving more fuel and labor. This patented product has burst onto the scene with global interest and can be found in national parks, beaches, universities, towns and major cities all over the world. Transportation cost and emission has been reduced by 80%, waste management capacity increased by 5X. Hear how this product was developed, is manufactured, and how it will change the way you perceive trash.

Use of recycled carbon fibers in thermoplastic articles

Kevin Gaw, March 2010

Carbon fibers are widely used in the aerospace and sporting goods industry to reinforce thermoset matrix composites. Carbon fibers are also finding use within the automotive industry in thermosets and thermoplastics, due to the high specific modulus and strength. With use, comes manufacturing waste and disposal issues. Typically, carbon fiber containing composites are considered unrecyclable. Recently, carbon fiber has been reclaimed from the composite manufacturing process. This has been largely driven by the need to increase the supply of carbon fibers in the marketplace, but also the desire to reduce costs of materials made with carbon fiber. Costs of carbon fiber can range to $40/lb. Costs of engineering thermoplastics can rival and exceed the cost of carbon fiber. Thus, displacement of either of these two materials with a cheaper, physically equivalent material will make carbon fiber reinforced materials more economically tenable in the market. The disposal of manufacturing wastage from composite manufacture drives up cost of production of these engineered lightweight materials. With properly designed processes, recycled carbon fiber may be able to be produced for a fraction of the cost of virgin fiber. The economic recovery of these fibers will allow for the economic use of carbon fiber in more products than is currently feasible. Recycled fibers compounded with engineering resins were used to fabricate thermoplastic parts. This report will detail the processes used to obtain the recycled carbon fibers, the properties of the materials, products manufactured and details of economic and engineering factors in the recycling of composite materials.

Recycling Mixed Domestic Post Consumer Film

David Brookes, March 2010

Mixed Domestic Plastics will become an important source of plastic recyclate feedstock over the coming years, three streams are typically found – bottles, rigids and flexibles (films). Bottles and trays are readily sortable and recyclable back into similar articles. Film poses significant recycling problems. Recycling Mixed Domestic Post consumer film poses many challenges, this paper outlines the principal issues, both technical and commercial and provides solutions to move the process forward. Mixed Domestic film recycling poses five principal technical hurdles – 1. Handling of commingled film waste including residual paper, cans etc 2. Separation of olefinic & non-olefinic streams 3. Devolatilisation of highly printed film 4. Compatibilisation of mixed olefinic (PE/PP) stream 5. Management of residuals in recyclate Described is the front end of the process to handle commingled waste, separation techniques for the two streams, level/type of devolatilisation required to negate ink/print effects, compatibilisation methods to homogenenise PE/PP and information on final applications, including commercial examples.

Plastic Ocean Debris and Biodegradation in the Marine Environment

Joseph P. Greene, March 2010

Marine debris or ocean litter is a worldwide problem. In fact, 60 to 80% of the ocean litter is plastic based. 80% of the ocean debris is from land based sources. Plastic pellets from plastic manufacturers can flow into storm drains and end up in the oceans. The plastics can harm the environment in three ways: (1) plastic marine debris can cause injury and death to marine life by ingestion or entanglement; (2) plastic marine debris can release toxic chemicals in the marine environment that fish and other marine species consume and then are absorbed by humans when the animals are eaten; and (3) plastic marine debris can absorb toxins from industrial, urban, and agricultural runoff that are in the marine environment in higher concentrations than the surrounding water, and then enter our food chain through aquatic species who eat the plastic. UV light and oxygen can cause degradation of plastics in the marine environment. Biodegradation can occur for some biobased plastics. ASTM standards provide methods to test for biodegradation of biodegradable plastics. PHA and bagasse biodegradable plastics have shown biodegradation in the marine environment.

Improving the properties of polylactic acid

Rahul Rasal, Douglas E. Hirt, October 2009

The toughness, stiffness, and strength of eco-friendly polymers can be modified without significantly affecting optical clarity.

Material characterization of novel bioplastics for food packaging

Yael Vodovotz, Sunny Modi, Kurt Koelling, September 2009

Composite polymers based on bioresins have attractive advantages, but require additional research for use in foodstuff industries.

An Investigation of ‘Green’ Class-A SMC

Thomas Steinhäusler, September 2009

Saturated- and unsaturated-polyester resins containing glycols made from renewable or recycled sources are being developed as a way to become less dependent on petroleum-based glycols. In this study SMC performance of standard-density Class A automotive SMC containing polyester resins produced from petroleum-based glycols was compared to standard-density Class A automotive SMC containing polyester resins produced from renewable-source glycols. The evaluation included processing aesthetics and adhesion performance. Finally a new low-density Class A automotive SMC containing polyester resins produced from renewable-source glycols will be introduced.

Bio-Based Polymers from Soy Chemistry

Dwight Rust, September 2009

Research on the use of soybeans to produce polyurethane polyols unsaturated polyester resins and thermoplastic fibers has been funded by the United Soybean Board (USB). The USB funds a wide range of activities including research and development of new industrial products made from soy. These developments have resulted in new patented technology. Commercialization of this technology has resulted in the production of unsaturated-polyester resins for fiberglass-reinforced composites and urethane polyols for polyurethane foams. The commercial applications of these bio-based polymers are found in a wide range of applications in the transportation markets.

Renewable Resource-Based Composites for the Automotive Industry

Dejan Andjelkovic, September 2009

The incorporation of renewable resources in composite materials is a viable means to reduce environmental impact and support sustainability efforts in the composites industry. This paper will focus on unsaturatedpolyester resins prepared from renewable resources and their use in composite materials. Applications of these resins in the automotive industry will be described including a comparison of properties and performance vs. typical petroleum-based resins.

Development of Injection Moldable Composites Utilizing Annually Renewable Natural Fibers

Ellen Lee, September 2009

In order to advance the commercialization of natural fiber reinforced plastics for automotive use a partnership was formed between academia natural fiber processor material supplier and OEM. This partnership improved the communication along the supply chain and resulted in optimized material properties to meet OEM specifications and application part performance. Several products have been developed that meet current material specifications offer significant weight savings over conventional mineral- and glass-reinforced composites and are competitively priced.

Renewably Sourced Engineering Polymers for High-Performance End-Use Applications

Richard Bell, September 2009

External trends have continued to drive end users in consumer and industrial applications to seek renewably sourced and sustainable solutions to use in more and more demanding applications. To meet this need a portfolio of renewably sourced engineering materials was developed. The products are designed to provide performance and functionality equivalent to or better than today’s petroleumbased materials while reducing the environmental footprint. The portfolio includes glass-reinforced thermoplastic grades for high strength and stiffness.

Zero-Emission Acrylic Thermoset Technology

Gero Nordmann, September 2009

In today’s environment there is an ever-increasing desire to ‘circle the square’ reaching high-performance durability light weight and manufacturing flexibility without increasing and even trying to lower overall system costs. This presentation will discuss a new enabling technology platform engineered towards these ends: cross-linked thermoset acrylics. These are non-flammable zero-emission systems that contain no volatile or hazardous components at any stage of their life cycle. They are easy to use in molding processes and ideally suited for today’s ‘greener’ lightweight automotive composites. Their application in natural fiber composites will also be outlined in the presentation.

Economics, sustainability, and the public perception of biopolymers

Roger Jones, July 2009

Biopolymers are a growing and useful sector of the plastics industry but are not a substitute for conventional polymers.

Sugar-powered fuel cells

H. Thomas Hahn, Hak-Sung Kim, Jongeun Ryu, June 2009

High-intensity light pulses provide a means of making nanoscale modifications to electrode surfaces that is fast, inexpensive, and green.

MEASUREMENT OF THE ABRASION CAPACITY OF FLEXIBLE FOAMS FOR FINISHING CRUDE POTTERY

Nora Catalina Restrepo-Zapata , Juan Sebastian Jaramillo , Andres Felipe Velez, May 2009

Ceramics processing industry employs foam materials in order to finish crude pottery because of its softness, elastic recovery, abrasion capacity, among others. At the moment, the ceramists in Colombia use marine sponge despite the increasing economic and environmental costs of this practice. This work explores the methods to produce a synthetic and feasible alternative for Colombian ceramic materials manufacturers based on morphologystructure- properties of the marine sponge and a comparison with thermoset and thermoplastic flexible foams. In addition, the abrasion capacity is calculated based on superficial quality in crude pottery by means of contact methods

PLASTIC MICROFLUIDICS: TRANSFORMATIVE TECHNOLOGY FOR TOMORROW

Patrick Mather , Sadhan Jana , Prithu Mukhopadhyay, May 2009

Abstract #1: Design, Fabrication and Applications of Polymer Microfluidic Biochips Microtechnology is initiated from the electronics industry. In recent years, it has been extended to micro-electro-mechanic system (MEMS) for producing miniature devices based on silicon and semi-conductor materials. However, the use of these hard materials alone is inappropriate for many biomedical devices. Soft polymeric materials possess many attractive properties such as high toughness and recyclability. Some possess excellent biocompatibility, are biodegradable, and can provide various biofunctionalities. I will first give a brief overview of major activities in our center on micro/nanomanufacturing of polymeric materials and microfluidics. An enzyme immunoassay chip will be discussed as an example for a low-cost and mass-producible lab-on-a-chip platform for molecular and biological analyses. The platform is a microfluidic CD for Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assays (ELISA) that reduces cost, accelerates results, and improves reliability of analyses for food borne contaminants, cancer diagnoses and environmental contamination. The presentation will cover (1) optimization and integration of the critical microfluidic and biochip packaging methods developed for CD-ELISA applications, (2) development of manufacturing and detection protocols for the CD-ELISA chips, and (3) evaluation of the performance of CD-ELISA's by validating testing for food borne pathogens and cancer cytokines.?ÿ ?ÿ Abstract #2: Bio-applications of Microfluidics: A flexible microfluidic device to characterize bacterial biofilms We characterize the viscoelasticity of bacterial biofilms by means of a flexible microfluidic device. The biofilms are comprised of Staphylococcus epidermidis and Klebsiella pneumoniae.?ÿ The presence of implanted foreign bodies such as central venous catheters is a key risk factor for infection by bacteria of this kind.?ÿ Because of the sensitivity of biofilm properties to environme

STRATEGIES FOR THE REPLACEMENT OF LEAD- AND CHROME-BASED PIGMENTS IN SYTHETIC TURF

Tad Finnegan, May 2009

Lead- and chrome-based pigments have been used in synthetic turf due to their performance properties and low cost in use. Environmental and regulatory concerns about these heavy metal-based pigments are leading the synthetic turf industry to voluntarily adopt guidelines that will effectively eliminate their use by 2010. Currently, no drop in" replacements exist for lead-based pigments. The variety of polymers used in synthetic turf further complicates finding solutions. Reformulation strategies using organic and inorganic colorants along with light stabilization systems are presented for several polymers."

THERMAL AND RHEOLOGICAL STABILITIES OF PE AND PP DUE TO REPEATED PELLETIZNG

Rabeh Elleithy , Saeed Al-Zahrani , Babu Gajendran, May 2009

It is known that polymers properties could change due to repeated exposure to high temperatures and shear during processing and recycling. In this research the rheological and thermal properties of polyethylene (PE) and polypropylene (PP) were investigated. A twin screw extruder (Farrel FTX20) was used to expose PE and PP to repeated thermal history during pelletization. PE and PP were exposed to thermal histories up to 12 times during pelletization and re-pelletization processes. The rheological and thermal properties of the virgin polymer were compared to the re-pelletized ones. It was noticed that the melt viscosity of PE increased and that of PP decreased as the polymer was exposed to repeated pelletization. Additionally, the evaluated thermal properties of those of PE were not significantly changed, whereas, those of PP were affected.