- 28 January 2008 -
Worker health and safety in plastics compounding
Plastics Additives & Compounding looks at some of the top worker health and safety issues in the plastics compounding industry - hazardous materials handling, ergonomics, machinery safety, and noise control – and summarizes some of the keys to success.

- 3 December 2007 -
Slip and antiblock additives: surface medication for film and sheet
Modifying the surface of polymer film and sheet through the use of slip and antiblock additives can either improve performance in fabrication or downstream packaging equipment, or the end-use performance of the polymer.

- 22 October 2007 -
Efficiency improvements in compounding extruders
Areas for improving efficiency in compounding processes include improving energy efficiency, increasing output of quality product by optimizing screw design, and minimizing raw material waste that occurs during start-up or changeover.

- 22 August 2007 -
Putting it to the test - polymer analysis in the laboratory
Research and development and quality control rely heavily on accurate analytical measurements. Now identifying recycled materials and verifying compliance for increasingly stringent regulations are also proving just as important areas for polymer analysis. Jennifer Markarian reports on some of the major issues in analytical techniques in the laboratory.

- 7 June 2007 -
Preventing bacterial growth: biocides and antimicrobials
Polymers and many additives that are used to provide useful properties in compounds are vulnerable to attack by micro-organisms. However, antimicrobials can be added to plastics to increase their resistance, which will maintain properties and boost product life. Plastics Additives & Compounding rounds up some of the products on the market in this important field.

- 24 May 2007 -
Implementing REACH - the challenges ahead
The European Parliament has adopted the proposals for the registration, evaluation and authorization of chemicals. Plastics Additives & Compounding reports on what is now required to comply with REACH.

- 23 February 2007 -
Strengthening compounds through fibre reinforcement
Plastics continue to replace traditional materials such as metals in many high performance applications. Developments in fibre reinforcement for thermoplastics is helping to accelerate the trend. Jennifer Markarian reports on some of these developments and improvements in how fibres can be incorporated effectively into plastics.

- 22 December 2006 -
Wire and cable compounding: meeting the production requirements
Compounding for wire and cable applications makes a number of varied demands on extrusion machinery. Jennifer Markarian looks at some of the equipment on the market and discusses some of the issues that need to be considered by the wire and cable manufacturer.