An investigation was carried out into levels of formaldehyde, acetaldehyde and PETP oligomers in PETP food packaging in the form of pellets, sheet moulding articles and bottles. Samples were dissolved in trifluoroacetic acid with 2,4-dinitrophenylhydrazine to derivatise formaldehyde and acetaldehyde to their dinitrophenylhydrazones and the derivatives and oligomers analysed by means of HPLC with UV light detection. A comparison was made of levels of the compounds in Japanese bottles with those in European bottles. 10 refs.

An investigation was carried out into the gas phase transfer of substances having various polarities and boiling points ranging from 252 to 425C from carton board and corrugated box board through intervening layers to foods packaged in primary packaging materials. Foods were sampled over different periods of time and analysed by gas chromatography/mass spectroscopy. The effect of an additional layer of packaging on gas phase transfer was also investigated. Packaging materials tested included metallised PP/PP laminates and polypropylene. 10 refs.

CAMPUS datasheet for a powder polyamide-11. White powder specially developed for coating of dishwasher baskets. Approved for food contact. Can be applied by dipping the pre heated basket in a bed of fluidised powder. The range includes several colours. This datasheet is one in a range of datasheets provided by Materials Data Center from the CAMPUS (Computer Aided Material Preselection By Uniform Standards) database. All data is measured according to strict CAMPUS ISO standards, thus ensuring a high standard of data comparability across different manufacturer's datasets. For an indication of properties given on the datasheet, please see the list of keywords below. If appropriate, this datasheet PDF is updated at 3 monthly intervals. For subscription information regarding the Materials Data Center, please follow the link on the Rapra Polymer Library home page http://www.polymerlibrary.com

Twenty-four papers are published following this International plastics additives and modifiers conference. Papers are divided into the following sessions: the business environment - markets and legislation, stabilisation, flame retardants, antimicrobials, compounding, surface and impact property modifiers.

Packaging giant Crown Holdings is to sell its plastic closures business to funds managed or advised by European equity firm PAI partners for 750m US dollars. The business operates 29 facilities in 15 countries across Europe, the US and Asia, with approximately 3,500 employees in the design, manufacture and sale of plastic closures to the personal care, food, drink, pharmaceutical and industrial markets. More than three quarters of the business' 676m US dollars turnover is generated in Europe, it is briefly reported.

In India, there is a need for an education and awareness programme in plastics among the masses to understand the uses in day to day life, waste disposal, regeneration and recycling. There is also a need to produce more diploma, graduate, post graduate and research level programmes to extend the support to the industries and research organisations handling and concentrating on polymer activities. The challenges facing India, namely applications, waste, processing and cost, product design and development, and new polymer R&D, are discussed. 27 refs.

Multi-component/in-mould labelling packaging products are in ever greater demand because of increasing market requirements. Joining different components by injection moulding offers not only functional advantages for the finished moulded article, but is also attractive for pure cost-reduction considerations. Netstal offers a machine concept which optimally utilises the different process variants made available by multi-component technology. Depending on the customer's short-term requirements, the multi-component system can often be used to produce "low-cost" packaging articles consisting of only one component. The machine's flexibility allows such variants and at the same time improves plant utilisation.

Packaging maker Captive Plastics's acquisition of Spentech Plastic Containers gives Captive a presence in the Southeastern US. Captive says it will continue to look for strategic acquisitions in the market categories that it is in. Spentech generates sales of about 30m US dollars/year from blow moulded bottles and jars for cosmetics, personal-care items, pharmaceuticals, automotive products and household chemicals, using PE, PP, PVC and PETP. The company does mainly extrusion blow moulding and decorating and some stretch blow moulding. Captive says the combined companies should generate around 150m US dollars in sales from nine plants. Captive does blow moulding and injection moulding. Its markets are personal care, healthcare, food and beverage.

It is briefly reported that Novacart has introduced its Ecos line of containers for microwave or conventional baking (up to 230C) or for storage in the deep freeze (-40C). The products can be made in pure cellulose cardboard, coated on the inside with heat-resistant PETP film, or with a multi property laminated paper.

A polymer from maize, PLA by NatureWorks, showed at Interpack for the second time, with figures and testimony proving its ever greater popularity. There is no denying that the question of cost still exists, but the company says prices are now falling as the volumes rise. The trend to adopt PLA for food containers continues at a fast rate throughout the world.

It is briefly reported that, in a set back to the HDPE and PP woven sacks industry, the Indian government has restored, with effect from 1 August, the 100% compulsory reservation for jute packaging by the food grains and sugar industry. Plastic manufacturers and sack-woven industry representatives have expressed disappointment over the decision, which, they say, would drive many small woven-sack manufacturers out of business.

Faced with a potential cost of billions of dollars to meet a federal court order to clean up Los Angeles-area waterways, and a rising concern about the impact of packaging litter on oceans and marine life, California is taking aim at plastics. Malibu recently passed a ban on PS food-service items and San Francisco has been debating taxing plastic bags. Los Angeles city officials have convened task forces to reduce litter from plastic bags and PS packaging.

In 2004, West European polyamide consumption grew by 12-15% compared with growth of only 3% in the previous year. Since the start of 2005, however, there has been a downturn in European PA demand. Producers are also under pressure from rising feedstock costs and are operating at very low margins. Since the turn of the year, there has been a huge squeeze on PA6 prices with notations for natural grades falling around Euro300/tonne. PA66 prices have fallen by about Euro100/tonne. While the volume nylon business is under mounting pressure, PA specialities have performed well over the last few years. It is forecast that demand for high performance polyamides such as PA11 and PA12 will grow at an annual rate above 8% over the next five years. According to PCI Films Consulting, even faster growth is expected in BOPA film.

New data for PVC is reviewed and presented with a focus on the use of models to simulate migration. Directive 2002/72/EC recognises that certain types of diffusion models can be used for certain polymers as a substitute for costly and time consuming migration testing. This article shows that PVC can be added to this category of polymer. 10 refs.