Slightly reduced supply amid robust trading boosts low-density and linear-low-density polyethylene for film and HD injection up a penny.

Hoping to recover the $0.06/lb decrease from the fourth quarter, PE producers want to implement two $0.03/lb increases, one in February and the other in March. The PlasticsExchange (Chicago) doubts that the ploy will have traction, however.

Several suppliers of medical-grade materials are introducing innovative additions to their product lines at the co-located Medical Design & Manufacturing (MD&M) and PLASTEC West event, currently at the Anaheim Convention Center in Anaheim, CA, through Feb. 7. Here are three.

Adsorbed moisture can render ductile and tough polyether block amides and certain thermoplastic polyurethanes brittle, according to Clariant (Muttenz, Switzerland). The risk of hydrolysis is reduced in its new Mevopur compounds, helping device manufacturers improve the reliability of catheters.