Factors affecting asset investment of public companies in plastic and packaging industry in Vietnam

The purpose of this research is to identify and analyze the influence of internal factors on asset investment of public companies in the plastic and packaging industry in Vietnam. The research has built a regression model to determine the relationship of internal factors affecting asset investment of public companies in the plastic and packaging industry in Vietnam. The strength of this research is to use the E-view software in quantitative analysis to build a panel data regression model. At the same time, the researchers used the Hausman test to select the appropriate model compared to other research. The data of the research are collected and calculated from the financial statements of 27 companies in the plastic and packaging industry in Vietnam from 2013 to 2020. The research results show that such factors as sale, equity, and debt ratio have a positive impact on asset investment, the return on assets has a negative impact on asset investment, while the average loan interest rate does not affect the asset investment of enterprises. Therefore, the author has made recommendations to help public companies in the plastic and packaging industry in Vietnam to improve the efficiency of asset investment. The results of this research are very useful for corporate financial managers in helping them make appropriate financial decisions for their companies.

Tailoring Poly(lactic acid) (PLA) Properties: Effect of the Impact Modifiers EE-g-GMA and POE-g-GMA

Poly(ethylene-octene) grafted with glycidyl methacrylate (POE-g-GMA) and ethylene elastomeric grafted with glycidyl methacrylate (EE-g-GMA) were used as impact modifiers, aiming for tailoring poly(lactic acid) (PLA) properties. POE-g-GMA and EE-g-GMA was used in a proportion of 5; 7.5 and 10%, considering a good balance of properties for PLA. The PLA/POE-g-GMA and PLA/EE-g-GMA blends were processed in a twin-screw extruder and injection molded. The FTIR spectra indicated interactions between the PLA and the modifiers. The 10% addition of EE-g-GMA and POE-g-GMA promoted significant increases in impact strength, with gains of 108% and 140%, respectively. These acted as heterogeneous nucleating agents in the PLA matrix, generating a higher crystallinity degree for the blends. This impacted to keep the thermal deflection temperature (HDT) and Shore D hardness at the same level as PLA. By thermogravimetry (TG), the blends showed increased thermal stability, suggesting a stabilizing effect of the modifiers POE-g-GMA and EE-g-GMA on the PLA matrix. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) showed dispersed POE-g-GMA and EE-g-GMA particles, as well as the presence of ligand reinforcing the systems interaction. The PLA properties can be tailored and improved by adding small concentrations of POE-g-GMA and EE-g-GMA. In light of this, new environmentally friendly and semi-biodegradable materials can be manufactured for application in the packaging industry.

Thermal Stability and Crystallization Behavior of Contaminated Recycled Polypropylene for Food Contact

Polypropylene is one of the most widely used polymers, especially in the food packaging industry, which causes negative environmental effects. Recycling is a good option to partially solve this environmental problem. Thus, the polymer was contaminated with a cocktail to simulate the conditions of disposal and recycling following FDA guidelines. The influence of contaminants on recycled PP was analyzed by quiescent and nonquiescent crystallization. It was found that the contaminants alter the crystallization flow since longer induction times were observed for all contaminated samples. Also, the thermal behavior was performed considering that the thermogravimetric (TGA) results indicated an increase in the stability with the presence of contaminants. Therefore, a deep investigation using the induced oxidation time (OIT) and induced oxidation temperature (OITD) was performed. The contaminants play an important role in the crystallization process, as well as, in the degradation of the samples. Furthermore, the use of TGA and DSC as complementary techniques is fundamental to analyze this influence.

Demand Forecasting Method Proposal for a Packaging Industry at the Manaus Industrial Hub

Every year, many companies hold meetings with their experts to prospect sales for the following year. Projections are often based on the team's experience and are subject to bias and errors. This article seeks to propose a statistical method of forecasting demand for a packaging company located in the Industrial Pole of Manaus, comparing performance metrics from different analyses. The results suggested that in general, the predictions had a good performance, but in certain cases, the need for a more human vision was also felt in order to ponder certain points. Therefore, the combination of quantitative and qualitative demand forecasting methods is essential.

Cellulose Nanoparticles Prepared by Ionic Liquid-Assisted Method Improve the Properties of Bionanocomposite Films

Bionanocomposites have garnered wide interest from the packaging industry as a biocompatible alternative to non-biodegradable petroleum-based synthetic materials. This study presents a simple and eco-friendly alternative to produce cellulose nanoparticles using a protic ionic liquid, and the effects of their incorporation in cassava starch and chitosan films are evaluated. Bionanocomposite films are prepared using the solvent casting method and are characterized using X-ray diffraction, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, zeta potential, thermogravimetry analysis, and transmission electron microscopy. The achieved yield of cellulose nanoparticles is 27.82%, and the crystalline index is 67.66%. The nanoparticles’ incorporation (concentration from 0.2 to 0.3%) results in a progressive reduction of water vapor permeability up to 49.50% and 26.97% for starch and chitosan bionanocomposite films, respectively. The starch films with 0.1% cellulose nanoparticles exhibit significantly increased flexibility compared to those without any addition. The nanoparticles’ incorporation in chitosan films increases the thermal stability without affecting the mechanical properties. The study demonstrates that the use of cellulose nanoparticles obtained using protic ionic liquid can be a simple, sustainable, and viable method to produce bionanocomposites with tailored properties useful for applications in the packaging industry.

Differences in Packaging Priorities in Food Products for Women Living in Rural and Urban Areas

The aim of the study is to reveal the differences in the packaging priorities used in food products of women living in rural and urban areas. The data used in the research were obtained by questionnaire technique. For sample size, the proportional sampling method was used. 70 in Selçuklu district of Konya and 70 in Çumra district, in total 140 questionnaires were determined. The data obtained from the survey results were transformed into tables according to rural and urban women. As a result; For women living in rural and urban areas, the color and shape of the packaging are effective in taking and distinguishing the product. Rural women prefer more relaxing colors in their packaging color preferences, while women living in urban areas prefer more stimulating colors. Women living in both rural and urban areas are aware of the information written on the packaging. As a result, companies in the packaging industry should determine the packaging material and color according to the communities they address.

Phosphonated Poly(ethylene terephthalate) Ionomers as Compatibilizers in Polyester/Polyamide Blends for Packaging Applications

Poly(ethylene terephthalate) (PET) is widely used in the packaging industry. The oxygen barrier properties of PET are acceptable for many food and beverage products, but do not meet the stringent requirements for packaging highly oxygen-sensitive products. Blending PET with aromatic polyamides, such as poly(m-xylyene adipamide) (MXD6), reduces the inherent oxygen permeability of the polyester matrix. Due to the immiscibility of these two parent polymers, a compatibilizer is necessary to achieve an efficient and stable mixing

Heat Transfer in Cassava Starch Biopolymers: Effect of the Addition of Borax

In recent years, polymer engineering, at the molecular level, has proven to be an effective strategy to modulate thermal conductivity. Polymers have great applicability in the food packaging industry, in which transparency, lightness, flexibility, and biodegradability are highly desirable characteristics. In this work, a possible manner to adjust the thermal conductivity in cassava starch biopolymer films is presented. Our approach is based on modifying the starch molecular structure through the addition of borax, which has been previously used as an intermolecular bond reinforcer. We found that the thermal conductivity increases linearly with borax content. This effect is related to the crosslinking effect that allows the principal biopolymer chains to be brought closer together, generating an improved interconnected network favoring heat transfer. The highest value of the thermal conductivity is reached at a volume fraction of 1.40% of borax added. Our analyses indicate that the heat transport improves as borax concentration increases, while for borax volume fractions above 1.40%, heat carriers scattering phenomena induce a decrement in thermal conductivity. Additionally, to obtain a deeper understanding of our results, structural, optical, and mechanical characterizations were also performed.