SPE: A-NZ | News

May 29, 20233 min read

Greenwashing concerns: Marketing professionals warn of sustainability knowledge gap

The majority of marketing professionals feel they need to be braver and clearer in how they communicate sustainability to avoid...

May 11, 20232 min read

Researchers develop highly-efficient, non-toxic method to upcycle single-use plastic

A team of researchers at NYU Abu Dhabi has developed a single-step, organic solvent-free, hydrothermal process to convert...

Apr 27, 20233 min read

PET Bottles Have Smaller Environmental Impact than Glass and Aluminum Containers, Study Shows

NAPCOR study shows PET plastic bottles create less solid waste, use less water during production, and generate fewer emissions than their...

Apr 13, 20234 min read

Researchers develop next-generation polymer-based energy storage device

A new polysulfate compound can make polymer film capacitors that store and discharge electrical energy while tolerating extreme heat and...

Mar 29, 20233 min read

Bio-based Polymers Projected to Grow at Double Digits Through 2027

Currently a small fraction of total polymer production, biopolymers are forecast to grow at 14%, according to a report from...

Feb 27, 20233 min read

SPE: A-NZ President Letter

This is my first letter in 2023 so I wish you had a great holiday break and a fantastic start to the year. Our program team are working...

Feb 26, 20235 min read

6 Trends About Recycled-Content Packaging

The key to success for recycled-content packaging lies in meeting various state regulatory demands, along with sustainability initiatives...

Feb 22, 20237 min read

Automation in Thermoforming on the Rise

Equipment suppliers’ latest innovations exemplify this trend driven by factors such as labour shortages, higher-speed thermoformers and...

Jan 22, 20233 min read

Bioplastics Companies Struggle to Meet Demand

Brand owners are pressuring the biopolymers industry to commercialize materials and ramp up production, IDTechEx reports. As bioplastic...

Jan 15, 20233 min read

Electric Vehicles Next Growth Engine for Plastics

Thermal management and enclosures for EV batteries have been identified as applications ripe for growth. A recent forecast by the...

Jan 9, 20231 min read

Our bell-ringer no more

Vale Ian Fletcher We were greatly saddened to hear of the news that Ian Fletcher tragically lost his life in a car accident on Christmas...

Jan 2, 20233 min read

Meet the plastic-eating enzymes that can fully break down garbage in days

Researchers hope the enzymes could create a truly circular system for the PET plastics that are still manufactured. Of the 10 billion...

Dec 4, 20223 min read

EU unveils plans to cut Europe’s plastic and packaging waste

Draft regulations would ban mini-shampoo bottles and throwaway cups, with push towards reuse over recycling The EU executive wants to ban...

Nov 28, 20225 min read

Plastics and Circular Economy Conference Communique

During the SPE Plastics and Circular Economy Conference, we have been discussed and heard from all speakers and attendees regarding an...

Nov 14, 20222 min read

The Economic Outlook for 2023 with Alan Oster

The interim budget which has been presented by the new Treasurer of the Albanese Government, the Hon. Jim Chalmers MP, suggests that...

Nov 9, 20222 min read

SPE: A-NZ President Letter

This is my first letter as SPE ANZ president. While I am excited about this new role and the new things I wish to bring to SPE and the...

Nov 6, 20222 min read

SPE: A-NZ AWARDS Student competition: Research paper at ANTEC® 2023

The Society of Plastic Engineers: Australia-New Zealand Section (SPE: A-NZ Section) is offering a number of Awards to recognise the best...

Oct 15, 20224 min read

Accurately tracking how plastic biodegrades

Electron microscopy image of the surface of a PBS film following incubation in a soil for six weeks: The surface of the PBS shows clear...

Oct 10, 20222 min read

SPE: A-NZ President Letter

This Newsletter from the President of the Australia-New Zealand Section of the Society of Plastics Engineers is highlighting events which...

Oct 5, 20221 min read

Circular Plastics Program

The Circular Plastics Program opened for expression of interest (EOI) submissions on 23 September 2022. An online information session...