November 1, 2019
Some Tea Bags Have Billions of Microplastics
Some Tea Bags Have Billions of Microplastics
Researchers have found billions of microplastics in tea bags
A new study has found that a single plastic tea bag can shed billions of microplastics. Researchers from McGill University in Canada have found that when plastic tea bags are steeped in a cup of boiling or almost boiling water the bag releases around 11.6 billion microplastic particles and 3.1 billion smaller nano plastic particles directly into the cup. Just in this one cup of tea lies an amount of microplastics significantly higher than what is consumed by a person in an entire year. The average person will only consume about 50,000 particles of microplastic annually. Most tea bags are made from natural fibers but many brands that use them still contain the tea by sealing it with plastic. Also, brands are moving from paper bags to plastic bags which are what this research was made on.
Microplastics are tiny pieces of plastic ranging from 110nm to 5mm in size, mostly created from the disintegration of plastic litter. Although no evidence proves the ingestion of microplastics poses a risk to humans, the United Nations said more research was needed to fully understand its effects on the environment and the human body.
To read more about this potential health concern click here.
Microplastics are tiny pieces of plastic ranging from 110nm to 5mm in size, mostly created from the disintegration of plastic litter. Although no evidence proves the ingestion of microplastics poses a risk to humans, the United Nations said more research was needed to fully understand its effects on the environment and the human body.
To read more about this potential health concern click here.
November 2, 2019
Polymer Packaging Inc. Investing $10 Million Into Extrusion Production
Polymer Packaging Inc. is jumping back into the extrusion business
Polymer Packaging Inc. has been away from the extrusion business for more than a decade and is finally jumping back in. This Ohio-based flexible and protective packaging maker is initially expecting to spend $10 million on equipment. They will then start their film production on a pair of three-layer, coextrusion lines made by Windmöller & Hölscher. Polymer Packaging previously entered that business in 2007, but the CEO said the timing of that was "not ideal." CEO Larry Lanham believes the decision to exit extrusion and focus on the core business. That was in 2008 and things are different. "Right now we see a lot of opportunity for growth and feel that there are markets we can serve well," Lanham says.
Polymer Packaging's facility already had room for the W&H equipment so they can begin production in November. The company also expects to install four additional lines in 2020-21. Production will start at a capacity of 20 million pounds of bags, sealant film, and shrink films. Most of the infrastructure was already in place so adding extrusion production was not that far fetched.
To read more about Polymer Packaging Inc.'s expansion into extrusion production click here.
Polymer Packaging's facility already had room for the W&H equipment so they can begin production in November. The company also expects to install four additional lines in 2020-21. Production will start at a capacity of 20 million pounds of bags, sealant film, and shrink films. Most of the infrastructure was already in place so adding extrusion production was not that far fetched.
To read more about Polymer Packaging Inc.'s expansion into extrusion production click here.
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