A biopolymer blend has been developed that provides improved mechanical and processing properties over PET. The material can be used for applications in the packaging and aerospace industries. Professor Alma Hodzic from the University of Sheffield reports.

Processing improvements have hastened the development of polymer materials for the aerospace and electronics sectors. Dr Alan Wood from Victrex outlines the route to faster production of polymer matrix composites.

John Ratcliffe was Secretary-General of The Plastics and Rubber Institute for nearly 30 years and played a key role in the post-war development of Britain’s plastics and rubber industries.

A new thermal fluid-based heating and cooling system that could work effectively at the upper and lower ends of the heating cycle has been developed.

Brian Marr of the RW Thomson Memorial Fellowship revisits the extraordinary contribution Thomson made to the development of rubber tyres.

Dr Chris O’Connor, Senior Consultant at GL Noble Denton reports on polyethylene pipe failure in the utilities sector.

Materials science is making a big contribution to the field of ball development in rugby and other major sports, reports Guy Richards.

Responding to the need for sustainable production, Dr Detlev Keil, Project Manager, S-PVC licensing for Vinnolit in Ismaning, Germany, outlines methods employed in PVC manufacture.

Hybrid construction could prevent rapid gas decompression in elastomer seals. Peter Warren, Andrew Douglas and Stephen Winterbottom of James Walker Technology Centre, Cockermouth, UK, outline the patent-pending concept.