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ISSUE 5, 19 may 2020 |
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Raw material prices tumble after dramatic cost reduction |
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April feedstock contract price settlements fully reflected the collapse in crude oil prices and the deteriorating prospects for European polymer demand due to coronavirus. Read |
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Afera network contact takes place of tape market data in current “new normal” |
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Afera’s 3rd webinar in COVID-19 series covered business flexibility, online video conferencing and updated supply chains. Read │Afera’s next webinar to cover localisation of business resources in Europe, 28 May, 14.00 CEST Register |
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Moisture-permeable polyurethane PSA addresses needs of wearable devices |
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It is difficult to achieve both moderate adhesion to the skin and strong adhesion to a wearable device, but a new polyurethane PSA is providing a solution. Read |
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Controlling VOC emissions from silicone-based coatings |
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For processes such as tape manufacturing, a recuperative thermal oxidizer specially designed for high levels of silicone may be most effective. Read |
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FEICA appoints new secretary general |
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Evert Smit and Astrid Lejeune congratulate Kristel Ons, who succeeds Philip Bruce as leader of the European Adhesives and Sealants Association. Read |
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9th Technical Seminar postponed |
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Afera will host the popular face-to-face networking and learning event 12-14 April 2021 at the Brussels Marriott Hotel. Read │ Other tape industry event real-time updates Read |
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Member news |
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New non-slip self-adhesive tapes from 3M™ |
www.specialchem.com, 11 May 2020 – The anti-slip strips visualise danger zones necessary to respect safety distances for COVID-19 prevention. Read |
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3M provides higher-visibility product for testing on The Ray and marking tape in Canada program |
www.forconstructionpros.com, 10 May 2020 – In an effort to improve driver safety and enhance the use of driverless vehicles, 3M is participating in 2 pilot programmes to measure the effectiveness of a new pavement marking product and a new pavement marking tape. Read |
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New Aluminium Foil Tape for Heating Ventilation and AC Products from Shurtape® |
www.specialchem.com, 7 May 2020 – Shurtape® AF 099 is an aluminium foil HVAC tape that is ideal for joining and sealing joints, connections and seams on rigid fibreglass duct-board and flexible air duct. Read |
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Afera COVID-19 survey results |
www.afera.com, 4 May 2020 – Find out what Members think about regulatory issues, continuing production and the post-COVID-restriction period. Read |
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Lahnpaper offers nonwovens for non-medical face masks |
www.lahnpaper.de, 4 May 2020 – Lahnpaper, quality manufacturer and market leader in the international market for fibre products, is responding to increased the demand for non-medical face masks by producing nonwovens for the production of non-medical face masks (”community masks”). Read |
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Henkel’s new epoxy-based adhesive tape for electric motors |
www.specialchem.com, 28 April 2020 – Loctite EA 9536 can be produced in various sizes and shapes customised to the specific application and easily applied due to its low-tack characteristic. Read |
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UPM Raflatac’s adhesive for low-temperature food labelling |
www.packagingsouthasia.com, 28 April 2020 – UPM Raflatac has expanded its range of adhesives for low-temperature food labelling (as low as -15˚C) with the launch of its RP48 acrylic adhesive for the Southeast Asia market. Read |
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Industry news |
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COVID-19 drives commodity resin prices down in April |
www.plasticsnews.com, 15 May 2020 – The impact of COVID-19 was felt in North American commodity resin markets in April, with most materials seeing prices decline. Read |
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Silicone: supply, pricing issues subside, but now COVID-19 creates uncertainty |
www.plasticsnews.com, 15 May 2020 – For businesses along the silicone market supply chain, the rapidly evolving industry has righted itself in capacity and demand, at least when compared to several years ago, when demand outran supply and both upstream producers and downstream customers witnessed volatile pricing. Read |
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Regulatory affairs: China shifting to degradable plastic faces challenges |
www.china.org.cn, 11 May 2020 – In 2016, China's express delivery industry used about 330 million rolls of adhesive tape in 31.35 billion deliveries, and in 2020, the State Post Bureau predicted that 74 billion deliveries would be made. Read |
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Bubble, bubble, outgassing and trouble |
www.plasticstoday.com, 7 May 2020 – The development of polyester cellular PSAs allows for bubble-free application and long-term adhesion of tapes and labels on high out-gassing plastics. Read |
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Spring 2020 E.U. economic forecast: a deep and uneven recession, an uncertain recovery |
www.europa.eu, 6 May 2020 – The Spring 2020 Economic Forecast projects that the euro area economy will contract by a record 7¾% in 2020 and grow by 6¼% in 2021. Read |
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Carbonic cleaning for adhesive bonding |
www.assemblymag.com, 1 May 2020 – Carbonic cleaning safely and consistently removes contaminants from materials to prepare them for adhesive bonding. Read |
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Cool down electronic devices and recover waste heat |
www.machinedesign.com, 29 April 2020 – A new hydrogel film transfers electrons when heated to generate power. Read |
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U.S. packaging machinery industry continues to grow at steady pace |
www.packworld.com, 24 April 2020 – OEMs are feeling the pressure to accommodate market demands, such as offering complete packaging solutions, modular machines, traceability, and sustainability. Read |
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Single-Use Plastics Directive (EU 2019/904): call for modification of key definitions to achieve Circular Economy objectives |
www.citpa-europe.org, 23 April 2020 – CITPA has reacted in a press statement to a draft guidance document developed by E.C. consultancy Ramboll and presented in a webinar in April. Read |
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