The K Fair is the biggest plastics show in the world. For K 2007, more than 3,100 exhibitors filled 19 halls in the Messe Center in Düsseldorf, Germany. Contributing Editor Doug Smock has been to all K Fairs except one since 1986. Read through his coverage of this year's fair for the scoop on materials innovations straight from the show floor.K 2007: A Yankee Scribbler’s Perspective
The main purpose for launching the K in 1952 was to convince the public that this “kunst stoffe,” or synthetic material, should be considered in a positive way. In many ways, it seems like the K is still like that.
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RTP Shows Carbon Nanotube Compounds
RTP Co. is introducing carbon nanotube compounds (CNT) in several different resin systems for improved electrical performance.
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Goodyear Develops Tire With Bioplastic
One of the most interesting new products comes from Novamont, which is showing a tire in which bioplastics made from starch replace some of the carbon black and silica used in automobile tires.
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Eastman Breaks Ground on Copolyester Tritan copolyester uses a new monomer (not identified) to provide a higher glass transition temperature (Tg) than traditional copolyesters.
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Sweet New Deal for Polyethylene
For many years, the United States enjoyed a cost advantage for olefinic plastics because of lower prices for natural gas used to make feedstocks. It looks now like Brazil may become the country with a feedstock cost advantage because of its huge sugar cane crop.
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New Hybrid for Mechatronics
New plastics/metal hybrids introduced at K 2007 by A. Schulman eliminate soldering for electronic parts and also create shielded housings.
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Dow, GLS Combine on Copolymer
A new elastomer technology announced at K 2007 in Düsseldorf will give design engineers new options, particularly for overmolding and applications such as gaskets with demanding compression-set requirements.
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New Foam Developed for Dreamliner
A brand new lightweight material for the Boeing 787 Dreamliner was announced at K 2007. BASF will produce a new ultra-light foam for the interior of the groundbreaking aircraft.
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SABIC Goes for Solar Power
One of the best stories from K 2007 is the effort under way at SABIC Innovative Plastics to develop new technologies that reduce use of oil and natural gas.
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Solar Impulse Advances Composites for Aircraft
A Swiss aircraft project will advance composites technology for the aircraft industry by a factor of two to three, says Andre Borschberg, CEO of a company called Solar Impulse, which will launch its first test flight next month of the first manned solar-powered airplane.
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DuPont Introduces Nano Hybrid
A metal/polymer hybrid featuring nanotechnology aimed at extremely lightweight components was introduced at K 2007 by DuPont Engineering Polymers and partners.
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DuPont Expands BioPlastic Grade Slate
DuPont announced an expanded slate of renewably sourced polymers that will contribute to the company’s goal of doubling revenues from sustainable resources to at least $8 billion by 2015.
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Clariant Offers FR-Compliant Color
One of the big trends from K 2007 is the availability of new compounds that deal with tightening regulations on chemicals used to make plastics flame retardant, particularly for consumer electronics products.
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Plastic Breakthroughs Emerge for K 2007
New design opportunities will be the focus of innovative plastic compounds introduced at K 2007. These include biobased materials, hybrid structures and fast-flow plastics.
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