Raw Materials and Chemicals

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The Dow Chemical Co. recently announced the introduction of a new Pack Studios innovation center in Mozzate, Italy.

With increasing consumer demand for convenience comes greater demand for high performance standards and increased sustainability. The packaging industry is no stranger to these trends taking place with consumer products across the world

An important concept to learn is critical pigment volume concentration (CPVC). Understanding this concept is essential for formulating high-performance coatings. In fact, it’s an “elephant in the room” for many formulators—ignored at our peril.

Hot-melt pressure-sensitive adhesives (HMPSAs) have become important in the manufacture of pressure-sensitive labels. Several types of styrenic block copolymers (SBCs) are used to formulate HMPSA adhesives.

I hear many salespeople complain that their product has become commoditized. This can be one of those “perception equals reality” traps; that is, if you believe your product or service is a commodity, then you are helping to make it a commodity.

For decades, the pine chemicals industry has used biorenewable feedstocks from both forests and factories to produce materials used by a variety of industries, including adhesives and sealants.

By the time you read this column, the battle for Toxic Substance Control Act (TSCA) reform will be fully engaged. Battle lines will have been drawn, cosponsors for bills will have been recruited, and charges and counter charges will have been swapped back and forth in Senate committee hearings.