Xperimania

Re: Discussion - 20 January 2009 - "A day without petrochemicals" - any more questions?

Carothers — Thu, 26 Feb 2009 15:54:16 GMT

Making them out of plastic (especailly baubles for the tree) means that if you drop them they bounce. I guess it is a question of what people are prepared to pay or are able to pay for items. If we had to clothe the world using natural fabrics, and make shoes out of wood and leather only then clothing would be very expensive. I guess it's the same with chrismas decorations.

Re: Discussion - 20 January 2009 - "A day without petrochemicals" - any more questions?

OldPharm — Tue, 27 Jan 2009 16:23:34 GMT

If you consider what is old fashion and not too affected by the progress, you still could find area without petrochemicals derivatives. Traveling by riding a horse, for example. But I’m even unsure there are no plastics in the harness of a horse.

Re: Discussion - 20 January 2009 - "A day without petrochemicals" - any more questions?

Chemical Bill — Tue, 27 Jan 2009 09:58:35 GMT

Hi there. Along with Andy Brice, I'm also a journalist at ICIS Chemical Business. We have been following the development of bioplastics with a lot of interest. In my view they will form only a tiny proportion of total plastics production for many years. The technology is in its infancy and the total production capacity for bioplastics is miniscule compared to normal plastics.

That said, bioplastics will become increasingly important as the need for alternatives to fossil-fuel based products grows. Bioplastics are also compostible and have a lower carbon footprint which is a real advantage.

There are potential problems with recycling when bioplastics get mixed in with normal plastics. See this article for the full story:

http://www.icis.com/Articles/2009/01/19/9184930/can-bioplastics-offer-a-sustainable-future-for-the-chemicals-industry.html

Hope this helps?

Bill

Re: Discussion - 20 January 2009 - "A day without petrochemicals" - any more questions?

Lara McNamee — Mon, 26 Jan 2009 14:46:37 GMT

Hello, there was a discussion on here last year that may be of interest to you: http://www.icis.com/icisconnect/forums/p/521/798.aspx#798 Also, please visit our chemical intelligence pages http://www.icis.com/v2/chemicals/intelligence.aspx for some backgroud reading on PP/PE. Good luck with the Rockcandy project.

Re: Discussion - 20 January 2009 - "A day without petrochemicals" - any more questions?

AWH — Mon, 26 Jan 2009 12:41:15 GMT

and a last one from SEK Budapest:

"Are scientists working on new technologies that will be used in the future and will be better than PP (polypropylene)?"

Re: Discussion - 20 January 2009 - "A day without petrochemicals" - any more questions?

AWH — Mon, 26 Jan 2009 12:39:58 GMT

Here's another one from Bialystok (Poland):

"Lately we noticed that Christmas ornaments are produced from plastics instead of hand made products. What do you think about this? "

Re: Discussion - 20 January 2009 - "A day without petrochemicals" - any more questions?

AWH — Mon, 26 Jan 2009 12:38:41 GMT

Another question from SEK Budapest International School (Hungary):

"We are working on a project in which we produce Rockcandy ourselves and thus avoid using and buying PP packages - from concentrated sugar solution, we crystallize sugar that we eat instead buying candies packaged in PP at the store. What do you think about this project?"

Re: Discussion - 20 January 2009 - "A day without petrochemicals" - any more questions?

AWH — Mon, 26 Jan 2009 12:37:23 GMT

On behalf of VI Liceum in Katowice (Poland):

In what areas are the petrochemicals not used?

Re: Discussion - 20 January 2009 - "A day without petrochemicals" - any more questions?

AWH — Mon, 26 Jan 2009 12:35:38 GMT

Here's another unanswered question on behalf of Burassokan in Göteborg (Sweden):

How do you regard the co-existence of petrochemical based polymers and biopolymers?

Re: Discussion - 20 January 2009 - "A day without petrochemicals" - any more questions?

AWH — Mon, 26 Jan 2009 12:33:25 GMT

Thank you everybody for your contribution to the Xperimania online chat last week. But we ran out of time to answer all questions...

On behalf of Bialystok School in Poland: Was it hard to give up synthetic products in your daily life ?

Discussion - 20 January 2009 - "A day without petrochemicals" - any more questions?

AJB — Mon, 19 Jan 2009 14:35:29 GMT

Following the online discussion, have you any more questions about chemicals and their application?

Write your questions here - and feel free to answer any...

This is your chance for you all to share your observations and queries!