Polymer Processing Technology in the 21st Century from the Viewpoint of the Japanese Plastics Industry

Abstract

Abstract Recent progress in polymerization easily allows the control of precise structure of a base polymer and accelerates lower-cost production using larger-scale-plants. In addition to this, today's more important issue in our industry is the development of the key-technology corresponding to a sustainable society. Under these circumstances, the polymer industry in Japan has been focussing on down-stream products from upper-stream using advanced processing technology. To meet today's trends, the polymer industry should establish more sophisticated technology in both higher functionality and hybridization to survive in the 21st century. In particular, various hybridized polymer-processing systems such as the combination of reactive extrusion and injection molding should be applied to create cost-effectiveness and less environmental burdens as well as higher performance.