polymerguru

LANXESS has achieved a process innovation in the production of continuous fiber-reinforced thermoplastic Tepex composites. The subsidiary company Bond-Laminates, which manufactures these composites, is now able to continuously series-produce large semi-finished composite products in which the continuous fiber layers can be oriented at almost any conceivable angle. Until now, the continuous fibers in Tepex could only be lined up in the direction of production or perpendicular to it (0 degrees or 90 degrees). This process innovation means the designer can use the differently oriented composite continuous fibers to help him react more specifically to the force transmission in the target component. Even quasi-isotropic constructions can now be fashioned using Tepex. "This means Tepex can be used to design lighter-weight composite components that are tailored even more specifically to the load in question. So the new-generation Tepex strengthens our position as a leading supplier of

Fishing Company Cornelis Vrolijk, based in IJmuiden, The Netherlands, and its subsidiary Jaczon, based in Scheveningen, The Netherlands, are specialized in pelagic fishing. The fishing trawls on board of their trawlers, which are used for catching pelagic (schooling) species, are traditionally made of nylon. Cornelis Vrolijk and Jaczon are now replacing their nylon trawls by trawls made from DSM's light and exceptionally strong  UHMwPE  ( ultra high molecular weight polyethylene ) fiber, branded as Dyneema®. The use of this far thinner material in pelagic trawls offers immediate and tangible environmental advantages. The reduced resistance of the trawls in the water translates into a significant reduction in CO 2  emissions, thus reducing the CO 2  footprint of the pelagic fishing fleet. In this way Dyneema® makes a substantial contribution to improving the overall sustainability of the fishing industry. The innovative trawls made from Dyneema® were developed by Maritiem BV

Eureka! Organic Bread is introducing three bread varieties on the East Coast. The new flavors are certified Vegan and USDA Organic, and the renewable bag demonstrates the company's commitment to sustainability. Braskem and Bimbo packaging engineers have been working to produce bio-based packaging using Braskem's Green Polyethylene, which is produced from sugarcane ethanol, a 100 percent renewable raw material. The sugarcane used is non-GMO (genetically modified organisms) based. The bread packaging is made with 36 percent bio based material; verified using ASTM D6866, Eureka! Organic Bread bags are the first packaged bread in North America to use this renewable and sustainable technology. For each ton of plastic produced, green plastic sequestrates approximately 2.15* tons of CO 2  from the atmosphere. To help consumers recognize green plastic in stores, Braskem created a seal, which guarantees the renewable content of the plastic. Braskem has been making Green Polyeth

Momentive Specialty Chemicals Inc. ("MSC") won the "People's Choice" Award for the "Most Innovative Composite Part" at the annual Society of Plastics Engineers Automotive Composites Conference & Exhibition (ACCE) last month in Novi, Michigan. The lightweight carbon fiber epoxy door structure submitted by MSC was singled out by vote of conference attendees. Judging for the competition was based on the impact and trendsetting features of each application, including construction materials, processing methods, assembly methods, and other technologies that made the application possible. Design benefits, weight and cost reduction, parts consolidation, functional integration, and improved performance were also taken into consideration. The winning component was a light-weight, carbon fiber epoxy door and window frame profile produced by Benteler-SGL for 2013 and later Porsche 911 GT3 Cup coupes. The composite was manufactured by high pressure resi

Amyris, Braskem and Michelin announced recently that Braskem is joining a collaboration already launched in 2011 between Michelin and Amyris. This collaboration was initiated to develop and commercialize renewable isoprene, sourced from various biomass as an additional sustainable pathway to produce isoprene. Under the terms of the agreement, Braskem, Michelin and Amyris will work together to develop a technology to utilize plant sugars, such as those found in Brazilian sugarcane or cellulosic feedstocks, to produce renewable isoprene. Adding the expertise of Braskem, the largest petrochemical company in the Americas and one of the global leaders in the production of biopolymers, Amyris and Michelin will accelerate the industrialization of renewable isoprene. Amyris will share its rights to commercialize the renewable isoprene technology developed under this collaboration with Braskem. Michelin will maintain certain preferential, but not exclusive, access to the renewable isopren

DSM, among the global leaders in biomedical materials science and regenerative medicine, announced the launch of its Dyneema Purity® Radiopaque fiber, one of the radiopaque  ultra-high-molecular-weight-polyethylene  ( UHMWPE ) medical fibers in the world. The fiber is the newest addition to DSM's medical Dyneema Purity® fiber portfolio. Dyneema Purity® Radiopaque fiber is designed to support the development of medical devices for use in orthopedic trauma. The fiber contains a radiopacifier, which makes it the only  UHMWPE  fiber currently available that is visible in x-ray images. This feature helps surgeons with medical device and implant visualization both during and after surgical interventions. The fiber will initially be used as a replacement for metal surgical cables that are used in procedures to treat bone fractures. The fiber is 15 times stronger than steel but maintains high pliability and increased flexibility, which may help lower the risk of bone damage. Steel

Aerospace Industrial Development Corporation (AIDC) in Taiwan has become a new tier-one supplier for Airbus. Under the agreement, which followed a thorough evaluation process, AIDC will produce composite panels for A320 Family aircraft aft belly fairings. The contract was signed by François Mery, Airbus Senior Vice President Aerostructure, Procurement and Tony Liou, AIDC Senior Vice President. The Airbus A320 Family is one of the world's best-selling single aisle product lines. As of end July 2014, the A320 Family had accumulated over 10,900 firm orders, with more than 6,100 aircraft delivered. The latest version A320neo, featuring new engines and Sharklets, has already gathered 3,200 orders before even entering service. To date, 83 Airbus aircraft have been ordered by airlines in Taiwan, including China Airlines,  EVA  and TransAsia Airways, with 67 in operation. As among the leading aircraft manufacturers, Airbus seeks to explore further collaborations with industries in