We're taking a deep dive into raw materials and chemicals in this issue, as well as the World Adhesive and Sealant Conference, the American Coatings Show, and much more!
Quick thinking. Open communication. Digital solutions. Streamlined processes. Wide-ranging supply chain issues coupled with the ongoing impact of the COVID-19 pandemic have pushed companies that supply raw materials and chemicals to their limits. But as the old saying goes, necessity is the mother of invention—and players in the adhesives and sealants industry are nothing if not inventive.
Researchers at Penn State have developed a wearable glucose monitoring device prototype consisting of an electronic sensor attached to a small alkaline solution chamber.
March 23, 2022
Noninvasive glucose monitoring devices are not currently commercially available in the U.S., so people with diabetes must collect blood samples or use sensors embedded under the skin to measure their blood sugar levels. With a new wearable device created by Penn State researchers, however, less-intrusive glucose monitoring could become the norm.
The combination of centrifugal forces acting in different planes enables an efficient mixing process for Orion Engineered Carbons.
March 21, 2022
Orion Engineered Carbons is a global supplier of carbon blacks. The long-established Luxembourg-based company, with sites and facilities in the U.S., Germany, and China, produces a wide range of carbon blacks (e.g., high-performance specialty gas blacks, acetylene blacks, furnace blacks, lamp blacks, thermal blacks, and others). These materials are used to tint, color, and enhance the performance of polymers, plastics, paints and coatings, inks and toners, textile fibers, adhesives and sealants, tires, and other mechanical rubber goods.
A newly synthesized PCD-PPG block copolyether polyol can be applied to coating applications that require flexibility, in solvent-free urethane compositions that require low viscosity, and in various other CASE applications.
A new polyol (PCD-b-PPG) has been synthesized that has a low viscosity of around 800-3,000 mPa·s (at 25˚C, liquid state) and is transparent due to the use of PCD as an initiator, even after storing for a long duration. The new PCD-b-PPG polyol can be applied to coating applications where transparency is required. In addition, it may contribute to other CASE applications and solvent-free urethane compositions that can take advantage of its low viscosity.
Indianapolis will welcome coatings industry professionals from around the world for the 2022 American Coatings Show.
March 16, 2022
The American Coatings Show and Conference returns to the Indiana Convention Center in Indianapolis, Ind., on April 5-7, 2022. Through the event’s conference and exhibition, coatings industry professionals will have myriad opportunities to learn about the latest technologies in raw materials for coatings and adhesives, processing and testing equipment, and environmental protection and safety, as well as a range of services.
Medical device design engineers hold in their hands the power to help transform people’s health. They have the ever-important job of designing medical devices that help people monitor, track, and adjust their health for the better. However, some design engineers may be making a mistake that can affect how an entire medical device functions: they could be reducing adhesive selection to an afterthought. This critical decision is too often left until device design is almost complete.
The Russian assault on Ukraine began in earnest on February 24, 2022. As NATO and countries around the world work together to support Ukraine and pressure Vladimir Putin to cease this unwarranted aggression, the Ukrainian people have shown incredible bravery, resilience, and strength. What are the war’s ramifications for our industry, as well as the end-use sectors that we support?
A Parker LORD expansion project includes mixers, blenders, and dispersers across sealant, adhesive, and emulsions manufacturing lines.
March 9, 2022
Parker Hannifin Corp. is investing in a 75,000-sq-ft expansion and modernization of its Parker LORD chemical manufacturing plant in Saegertown, Pa. This expansion to the existing 250,000-sq-ft facility will help enable Parker LORD to increase its share of the growing adhesives market.
Bill Allmond, president of The Adhesive and Sealant Council (ASC), shares details regarding the 2022 World Adhesive and Sealant Conference (WAC2022), including planned keynotes and technical sessions, the much-anticipated EXPO, various networking opportunities, and more.
During COVID, clients and colleagues realized there was far too much risk in their supply chain. For the most part, they realized the stark difference in requesting help from in-demand suppliers vs. collaborating jointly with supply chain partners. Given the robust demand for raw materials to successfully support key customer needs, suppliers have no choice but to prioritize. There is little doubt they are prioritizing strategic and profitable customers, as well as those with long-term agreements.
At present, polymers do not have to be registered under Regulation (EC) No. 1907/2006 of the European Parliament and the Council on the Registration, Evaluation, Authorisation and Restriction of Chemicals (REACH). Nevertheless, a possible change in the treatment of polymers is envisioned in Article 138(2) of REACH, which may result in polymers being included in the registration requirements.