| |DECEMBER 202319CIOReviewof using plastics and polymers are numerous, and range from weight reduction (which in turn, reduces the carbon footprint), to cost reduction, chemical/corrosion resistance, and design flexibility to name a few. Today's availability of different polymers and polymer blends as well as additives make the choices virtually unlimited.5. How have the researches you conducted regarding polyolefin foam and other polymers been relevant to the evolving manufacturing space? How are you leveraging that research knowledge into the real-case scenarios? The ability to produce a polyolefin foam gives a new dimension to the use of plastics. With JSP's Polyolefin bead/particle foam products, it is possible to over unprecedented weight reduction and in turn cost reduction. In the automotive industry where JSP produces foam materials using seating components such as rear seat cushions or rear seat backs, we see major weight reductions of over 50 percent and cost reductions as well. The other benefit of weight reduction is that it contributes to improved vehicle efficiency and energy savings over the life of the vehicle. This results in a reduced carbon footprint (lower CO2e) of not only the component, but a reduction of the total carbon footprint over the life of the vehicle. The future looks good for Polyolefin Foams, as they are replacing many other materials ranging from crosslinked Polyethylene foams (XLPE), Expanded Polystyrene (EPS), Solid Plastics, and many metal applications. Expanded Polyolefin foams such as EPP are completely circular. Unlike crosslinked foams and EPS foams, which are repurposed into new products (underlayment, injection molded PS plastic, etc.), EPP can be collected, recycled and made into new EPP for the same application. JSP is offering a recycled grade of our APRRO EPP product called the 5000RC Series containing 30 percent Post-Consumer Recycled (PCR) content, all of which comes from End-Of-Life EPP products such as totes, and other dunnage containers. Additional research focuses on new applications and the production of higher performance specialty grade products with characteristics such as Fire Retardant, Anti-Static, Dissipative, Conductive, UV Resistant, customer colors, etc.6. As an ending note, what is your advice or message for other senior leaders or CXOs working in the industry? The plastics and polymers industry is quite mature. I would encourage these senior leaders to further diversify the workforce so new ideas and new approaches can be realized. We need to recruit new talent with STEM degrees to further advance our industry. I also encourage all leaders to promote the teaching and university support of plastics and polymers programs. Today's leaders also need to consider the global marketplace, and the fact that while some products thrive in one local market, others may not. Consider both the speed to market and the route to market when introducing new products and new technologies. As technology moves ahead, we continue to optimize our processes to more responsibly utilize the resources we have, and this is especially true in the plastics industryThe manufacturing sector is expected to grow by 2.5 percent in 2024, driven by increased demand for durable goods and continued investment in automation and digital technologies.Quick BytesThis article is based on an interview with CIOReview and Steven R. Sopher.
< Page 9 | Page 11 >