Doug Smock

Former Chief Editor of Plastics World and Purchasing magazines (RBI)

Former Editorial Director and Associate Publisher of Modern Mold and Tooling (McGraw-Hill)

Began career as staff reporter for the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette (1969-1977). Beats included the steel industry with stringing to the New York Times

Member of the Society of Plastics Engineers

First began writing about technical plastics in 1986.

Bachelor's Degree, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, Ohio

Co-author of two leading books in supply chain management, including integration of engineering disciplines: "Straight to the Bottom Line" (2005 J. Ross Publishing), & "On-Demand Supply Management" (est. February, 2007, J. Ross Publishing)

Resident of Needham, MA. Married, three grown children.

User Stats

Recent Posts - 10
Avg Posts Per Week - 2
Posts Written - 158

Recent Posts

Here's a Rating of Materials' Environmental Claims

There’s a rising flood of new materials that are said to solve a whole raft of environmental problems. The two biggest categories are materials that are recyclable and materials that are biodegradable. Most materials are theoretically recyclable. But is it cost-effective? Is there a proven recycling stream? If the answer to both of those questions is no, then it’s very possible that recycling is more of a marketing strategy than an environmental solution. One of the new claims is for a roof that is recyclable.

Several new plastics have been launched that are biodegradable. This runs against the normal requirement that products remain intact. Some environmental groups want packaging that breaks down when disposed of. The problem is that materials don’t break ...Read More

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Toxic Toys Give Way to Wood Waste Composites

Toxic toys were a major story last year. The Chinese toy scare stirred up a lot of new business for wooden toys made in the United States. That feel good story is now getting even a little better. Two American toy manufacturers are rolling out this year toys or games made with “thermoplastic biocomposite compounds”. These compounds are made of waste agricultural products such as discarded rise hulls and recycled plastics held together with patented additives developed by the National Research Council of Canada. The new coupling agents are a powerful moisture absorber that allow a tight bond between the wood fiber and the plastic. The toymakers are ...Read More

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What We Must Learn from the Big Dig Collapse

Engineers made several errors that resulted in the Big Dig tunnel collapse two years ago. That conclusion Is not mine; it comes from Myer Ezrin, a longtime polymer failure analysis expert who studied the materials in the public docket of the investigation by the National Transportation Safety Board. “The message still hasn’t adequately penetrated enough that when engineers are dealing with new materials, they should use caution with the sources that they rely on,” says Myer Ezrin, a failure analysis expert and former researcher at the University of Connecticut’s Institute of Material Science. “Engineers working with material ...Read More

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Solutia: Will it be the New Face of US Plastics?

The new face of the North American plastics industry is emerging as companies that are focused on plastics. One of the first large companies to divest its plastics portfolio was Monsanto back in 1997 when Solutia was created. Monsanto made a decision to focus on agricultural biotechnology. Solutia filed for bankruptcy in 2003 in the midst of a major manufacturing slowdown and emerged from bankruptcy early this year. The company believes it is now stronger and more competitive than at any time in its history, hopefully setting a positive tone for other plastics orphans. Solutia posted a first quarter profit of $1.4 billion, compared to a loss of $8 million for the same quarter in 2007 because of reorganization gains. Revenues were up 4...Read More

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Antec: The Bioplastics Debate Is Shifting

Plastics made from sustainable resources, or plants, are at a tipping point, according to several speakers at special session at the annual technical conference (Antec) of the Society of Plastics Engineers in Milwaukee, WI. According to one research study cited, 40 percent of bioplastics will be used in durable applications in 2011, compared to just 2 per cent today. In the United States, in particular, plastics made from crops, usually corn, are mostly targeted for disposable packaging. As I’ve blogged before, that’s a joke since there are virtually no composting facilities that could handle the biodegradable packaging. The argument works OK for plastic bags that are thrown in the ocean or beside highways. But that’s hardly a reason to develop a new industry.&...Read More

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Doug Smock

User Stats

Recent Posts

Here's a Rating of Materials' Environmental Claims

Toxic Toys Give Way to Wood Waste Composites

What We Must Learn from the Big Dig Collapse

Solutia: Will it be the New Face of US Plastics?

Antec: The Bioplastics Debate Is Shifting

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