Michael Lauzon

A research team based in the University of Texas at San Antonio has developed a technique that separates ethylene from ethane at a fraction of the energy cost normally used in cryogenic distillation.

EPS shape molder Aqua-Pak Industries Ltd. has acquired EPS block molder Mansonville Plastics Group of Cos. in a strategic acquisition.

Faurecia Interior Systems Inc. has earmarked Spring Hill, Tenn., for a factory that will make door panels when it comes on stream in July 2019. The Aug. 28 announcement follows a February announcement for a similar, larger plant slated for Blue Springs, Mo. On the drawing board awaiting approvals is an instrument panel manufacturing facility for Ohio.

Researchers from Citi paint an extensive picture of the battle between plastics, paper, metal and glass in packaging. The stakes are huge. Packaging accounts for about 45 percent of the $1 trillion global plastic market.

The plant, due to come on stream in late 2019, will specialize in extruding thin PS foam for acoustic and thermal insulation of floating floors like laminate, parquet and vinyl floor systems. Such thin foams are used by do-it-yourself customers as well as flooring manufacturers.

Specialty plastics extruder Pexco LLC has grown again, buying Massachusetts-based Custom Extrusion Inc. in the "first of many acquisitions."

Cortland Plastics is buying a new Rocheleau continuous shuttle blow molder for delivery in the third quarter. This will be the second blow molder the company is installing this year in a $500,000 expansion program.

Almost imperceptibly, plastics seem to emit tiny amounts of methane in the environment, according to a new study.

Intek Plastics Inc. is diversifying in its extruded profiles markets through the acquisition of customer assets and production tooling of Hall Manufacturing Corp.

Simona Group has expanded its offerings in thermoplastic sheet with the acquisition of Premier Material Concepts LLC of Findlay, Ohio.

Intertape Polymer Group Inc. is betting on high growth in e-commerce and will buy all the equity in Polyair Inter Pack Inc., a major producer of protective packaging such as bubble cushioning.

Private equity Graham Partners has entered injection molded medical goods with an investment in Medbio LLC of Grand Rapids, Mich.

Röchling Engineering Plastics temporarily curtailed production at one of its two factories in Gastonia, N.C., after a short-lived fire on July 11.

Ascend Performance Materials has declared force majeure on shipments of its nylon 6/6 resins, compounds and industrial fibers due to a July 10 fire at its Pensacola, Fla., complex.