China’s dedication to progress evident

By Robert Grace
PLASTICS NEWS OPINION
I had an amazing few days in China recently, and the experience encompassed much of what China is all about — culture, crowds, confusion, communism, capitalism, creativity and more.

      Energy relief comes wrapped in plastic

PLASTICS NEWS OPINION
Growing consumer demand for more energy-efficient, greener products is presenting opportunities in nearly every end market and application for plastics.

      Machinery makers set up shop in China

By Bill Bregar
PLASTICS NEWS OPINION
Machinery makers across the globe have set up manufacturing in China. But European and U.S. machinery manufacturers with Chinese operations have a big advantage over their purely domestic competitors: real-world relationships with Chinese suppliers.

      Plastics demand Rx for resin headaches

By Frank Esposito
PLASTICS NEWS OPINION
Although I have no formal training in psychiatry or counseling, I was tempted to hang a sign outside the Plastics News office last week advertising both services, after Dow announced it was raising prices as much as 20 percent on all products.

Perspective

How to submit a Perspective

      Planning for crisis important

Mary Scheibel - Scheibel Halaska Inc.
The tragedy at Atlantis Plastics Inc. in Henderson, Ky., serves as an unfortunate reminder that a disaster or crisis situation can strike at any time, without warning. Sadly, the Atlantis crisis involved the most unfortunate scenario: the loss of life.

      China´s new labor law may weed out undesirables

Steve Toloken - PLASTICS NEWS STAFF
Because China´s new labor rules will hurt sweatshops and dirt-cheap manufacturers that have skirted rules and abused workers, it might actually be good for U.S. businesses operating there.

      Plastics groups need full industry involvement

Serge Lavoie - Canadian Plastics Industry Association
While industry deals with fact, science and well-reasoned arguments, our detractors routinely use factoids, pseudo-science and fear mongering, all of which are easier to report and to understand for the lay person.

      Designers must address global regulatory issues

Craig Messerknecht - D-M-E Co.
Two electronics directives implemented by the European Union, RoHS and WEEE, drastically changed the way manufacturers make products and even how they work with one another. Because of this, designers and manufacturers need to pay attention to regulatory considerations in this global market.

      Emerging economies offer plum markets

By David Hemmings - Pacific Rim Alliance Ltd.
More and more, we see businesses focusing on China and India as marketplaces in which to sell their technologies or products that are manufactured locally and sold locally. Businesses following this strategy must have something right, because now the prime minister of India and China’s president have been meeting to discuss direct-trade collaboration between the nations.

      China showing signs of slowing

Steve Toloken - PLASTICS NEWS STAFF
If you want an intriguing snapshot of the state of China’s injection molding industry, look at the earnings of one of the country’s largest press makers, Chen Hsong Holdings Ltd.

      Climate change rules matter

Kenneth Markowitz and Charles Franklin - Akin Gump Strauss Hauer & Feld LLP
Climate change leapt to the forefront of the domestic policy agenda during 2007, fueled by lawsuits and legislative proposals to regulate carbon emissions and other greenhouse gases. This increased legal and policy activity, at the federal and state level, should serve as a wakeup call for the plastics industry.

Mailbag

How to submit a letter to the editor

      Only laws can boost US recycling rates

Patrick Kelley - Waste Not Technologies LLC
(July 3, 2008) -- We in the United States are sorely lagging behind the other large plastics consuming countries of the world in terms of recycling. A Perspective column by Nina Ying Sun [“U.S. lags behind in recycling,” Jan. 15, 2007, Page 6] was very informative regarding the relative recycling rates for plastics in several countries.

      SPI chief responds to campaign ‘buzz’

Bill Carteaux - Society of the Plastics Industry Inc.
I was delighted to see the buzz of our industry’s promotion campaign continue via your online poll asking Plastics News visitors to weigh in on the Society of the Plastics Industry’s Internet-based campaign.

      Pipe experiment misrepresents reality

Dick Church - Plastic Pipe and Fittings Association
Your recent [June 9, Page 9] story, “Plastic pipes may indirectly pose lead woes,” is a huge leap from any reality since it appears to blame lead extraction on the use of plastic pipe.

      Dems’ bill nothing more than pandering

Carl Stevens - Owosso, Mich.
(June 13, 2008) -- Frank Esposito’s recent article, “Senate Democrats present bill banning BPA” (May 5, Page 7), should have contained a subtitle, something like, “Let the pandering begin.”

      Support exec’s effort to increase deposits

Mark Mulone - Conair Group Inc.
In the Plastics News story “Bottled-water executive calls for a nationwide bottle bill” (May 26, Page 9), Breck Speed hits this problem head on. The lack of recycling is a worldwide problem — not just one for the United States, but everyone!

      Fox industry outlook stands test of time

George Makrauer - ComAd Management Group
The relationship between Norma Fox and me varied from disagreeable to merciless. But nothing diverted Norma from working to best represent and build CFECA for the benefit of its members by addressing the critical issues that struck at her members’ very existence.

      Consumers hold key to recycling success

Mike Lynch - Illinois Tool Works Inc.
I disagree with the Viewpoint that “For industry to succeed, it has to provide solutions that keep its products from becoming litter” [in the May 26 issue on Page 6 called “Industry must help pick up the litter.”]

      National bottle bill brings value to trash

Carlos R. Petzold - Bodam International Ltd.
Regarding the Viewpoint article in the May 26 issue, we strongly agree with the sentiment of what is being said related to “Industry must help pick up litter.” Our business strongly depends upon the health of the plastics industry in able for us to prosper and grow. This is why we support a national bottle bill that will ensure recycling of PET bottles at the highest rate of recovery possible.

      Let’s challenge firms on litter solutions

Jeri Schmidt - Blake/Hansen & Schmidt Ltd.
I’m so glad to see your excellent editorial asking the industry to get involved to pitch in on the litter issue facing our lands and oceans.

      Headline omits SIPs’ success

James Hodgson - Premier Building Systems
I was confused when I read the headline to Matt Griswold’s March 3 [Page 9] article relating to structural insulated panels, titled, “SIPs struggle to convert fans from status quo.” I became concerned when I began reading only to see the first reference made to structural insulated panels being “likely to share the same fate” as insulating concrete forms.

      Activists’ zeal does public harm

Donald K. Duncan - Society of the Plastics Industry
(May 16, 2008) -- The mounting concern expressed in your columns about recent attacks on plastics, notably the wildly inaccurate charges against bisphenol A, is totally justified.

      No one providing facts in media hype of BPA

Allan Griff - Bethesda, Md.
Regarding your report on Wal-Mart and others yanking PC baby bottles and sippy-cups, please stop using the phrase “containing BPA” as if bisphenol A were an additive.

      CIPAD staff addition has global benefits

Vijay Merchant - Plastindia Foundation
I wish to compliment the Society of the Plastics Industry and Bill Carteaux for being gracious and showing foresight beyond SPI’s own national base, to offer to have a full-time secretary for the Council of International Plastics Association Directors, known as CIPAD.

      Speaker’s concepts don’t go far enough

Tom Wilson - Blue Water Automotive Systems Inc.
Innovation is something every company not only wants but needs. It is a key strategy for survival, not only in the plastics industry but for every organization, regardless of business sector.

      Recycler: be cautious with biodegradables

Steve Anderson - APC Recycling LLC
I would urge the industry to take environmental responsibility for our products. Figure out ways to use recycled product in your merchandise. It is being done, but needs to be more commonplace, right here in the U.S.

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