Behind-the-scenes advances underpin new super-strong plastics
Wednesday, October 20, 2010 - 12:01
in Physics & Chemistry
Long-awaited advances in reducing the cost of certain catalysts substances that kick-start chemical reactions have quietly led to production of super-strong forms of the world's most widely used plastics, according to the cover story of the current issue of Chemical & Engineering News (C&EN), ACS' weekly newsmagazine. These upgraded forms of polyethylene have led to availability of stronger, more durable consumer products ranging from garbage bags to camping cookware.