The device is particularly well suited for a country with strong misgivings about plastic money: both Japan's credit- and debit-card markets are under-developed.

ECONOMIST: Japanese payments

In the following days the team began sourcing thousands of "bori bags", essentially very strong, large plastic sacks which can be filled with earth to make insulated, cheap, stable shelters.

BBC: NEWS | UK | Magazine | Rebuilding site

After enhancing its reactivity, cardanol is chemically bonded with cellulose, which produces a durable thermo-plastic that is strong, heat resistant, water resistant and non-crystalline (short molding time), due to the bonded cardanol's unique molecular structure consisting of flexible and rigid parts.

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Each holding a calculator in their hand, the customer types in a number, each strong keystroke resonating against the hard plastic.

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The biggest hurdle was that the plastic had to be strong enough to hold the positive pressure of air pumped in, says Michael Metta, Sealed Air's technology chief.

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Bemis developed a plastic wrap that's strong enough to hold the shingles, but also lightweight and easy to open.

FORBES: BEMIS Bag Man

The colouring in the flour is so strong it stains the brickwork (homes and businesses tend to wrap their property in plastic).

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Their goggles were strong and durable, but ugly as sin and uncomfortable to wear (think about those clear plastic, one size does not fit anyone goggles worn in many factories).

FORBES: Think Outside the Goggles!