Michelin ResiCare launches two new alternatives to phenolic resins

Michelin ResiCare, a brand of the #MichelinGroup, announces the commercial launch of #Resi4 carbon/carbon and Resi4 ablation, two innovative #araminolicresins that are formaldehyde-free and bio-based—100% and 90% respectively. Primarily formulated from 5-HMF (#5hydroxymethylfurfural), a bio-sourced and non-toxic molecule, these new solutions provide a safer alternative to traditional phenolic resins.

Available and compatible with industrial-scale production starting in September 2026, these #thermosetting resins are designed for the most demanding #composite applications, including aerospace, defence, aeronautics and automotive industries.

Thermal performance and regulatory compliance

These new resins meet the growing demand from composite manufacturers seeking high thermal performance, strict compliance with European regulations (including REACH and Directive 2004/37/EC) and a reduction in their environmental footprint.

They are also part of a fully European sourcing approach, from raw materials to the finished polymer, helping to secure the supply chains of strategic industrial sectors.

Innovative araminolic chemistry

Developed from innovative araminolic chemistry, these resins replace formaldehyde with aromatic aldehydes and bio-based polyphenols, while maintaining the required levels of thermal performance for advanced composites.

This approach enables manufacturers to anticipate regulatory changes while ensuring the robustness and reliability of materials exposed to harsh environments.

Resi4 carbon/carbon: designed for high-temperature composites:

Resi4 carbon/carbon is aimed at CMC (#CeramicMatrixComposites), where it delivers high thermal performance without formaldehyde. It stands out as an ideal solution for high-performance applications such as space propulsion, nuclear energy, advanced civil engineering and motorsports, where thermal stability and material reliability are critical.

Resi4 ablation: optimised for extreme environments:

Also formulated without formaldehyde, Resi4 ablation is distinguished by its particularly high charring rate, meeting the strictest specifications for ablation and thermal resistance. It targets applications exposed to extreme thermal flux, where the stability of the char layer determines the performance and safety of systems, especially in the space and defence sectors.

With these two new resins, Michelin ResiCare offers composite industry players solutions that are immediately available for testing and industrially operational by September 2026, simultaneously meeting requirements for thermal performance, environmental durability, regulatory compliance and operator safety, without compromising market demands.

photo : Michelin ResiCare

source : JECCOMPOSITES

Arkema showcases innovative materials at Interbattery 2026

Arkema has established itself as the reference supplier for materials enabling the rapid expansion of LFP cathode technology. Since 2007, #Kynar®HSV 900 has become the industry’s reference PVDF binder, powering more than 10 million #EVs worldwide and countless Energy Storage Systems thanks to its proven reliability, processing robustness, and outstanding cycling performance.

Building on this legacy, Arkema continues to expand its LFP technology platform with newly developed #PVDF grades Kynar® HSV 1200 and HSV 1400 engineered to deliver improved adhesion, lower binder loading, and higher active-material content for increased energy density. Complementing these PVDF innovations, recently introduced the Incellion™ family, which further strengthens Arkema’s leadership with solutions such as Incellion™ Pr 2510 for primer coatings and Incellion™ El 3020 for water-based Silicon anodes, enhancing adhesion, conductivity, durability, and processability for next-generation LFP cells.

Next-generation solutions: solid-state batteries and advanced dry-process technologies

Arkema is also accelerating material innovation for the next wave of battery technologies, including all-solid-state and semi-solid batteries as well as advanced dry-electrode processes. For semi-solid and solid-state architectures, Arkema is developing new generations of binder materials tailored for solid electrolytes, interface stabilization, and high-voltage cathode compatibility.

Electrical Insulation

Arkema provides advanced insulating materials that reinforce safety and reliability across battery systems. Zenimid™ polyimides deliver exceptional thermal resistance and dielectric strength supporting FPCB applications in battery management systems and busbars thermal runaway protection. #Rilsan®PA11 also contributes to electrical protection by providing durable, lightweight solutions for busbar insulation.

Thermal Management

For effective system-level heat control, Rilsan® PA11  and Rilsamid® PA12 offer proven performance in cooling lines and connectors. Complementing these materials, Bostik delivers high-performance thermal interface materials that enhance heat dissipation at module and pack level while maintaining structural stability in demanding operating conditions.

Assembly

Bostik also provides a complete range of sealing and bonding technologies designed for efficient and reliable battery assembly. This includes debond-on-demand solutions such as Primer Prep DB for controlled disassembly, high-reliability gasketing sealants for housing and pack integration, and robust 2K MMA and 2K PU structural adhesives for cell-to-module and cell-to-pack assembly. These solutions support manufacturing efficiency and long-term battery performance.

source : Arkema

Today's KNOWLEDGE Share : Shrinkage is one of the most fundamental factors in Injection molding process

Today's KNOWLEDGE Share

In injection molding, shrinkage is one of the most fundamental and misunderstood factors affecting final part dimensions.

Materials science tells us that shrinkage is volumetric, governed by pressure, cooling, and temperature.

But mold-making practice relies on a linear shrinkage value listed in the Technical Data Sheet (TDS), measured on a standardized test bar under controlled conditions.

This creates a challenge in how we approach accuracy, because the TDS value reflects the behavior of a controlled specimen, while your molded part experiences completely different conditions: geometry-dependent cooling, pressure profiles, crystallinity, flow orientation based on gate location and type, and wall-thickness variations.

👉 Shrinkage is not to be defeated — it is to be anticipated and managed.

This is why managing shrinkage becomes central to dimensional accuracy and repeatability. The methodology relies on understanding the actual conditions inside your part and preparing for the dimensional changes that occur after demolding.

👉 Simulation predicts what your part will do — not what the test bar did.

When I run a flow analysis, my goal is to predict the internal behavior that will ultimately drive dimensional outcomes after the part has cooled and stabilized.

This provides actionable insight at three levels:

Part design: Validate wall-thickness strategy, gate type and location, ribs and bosses, and identify areas sensitive to shrinkage or warpage.

Mold making: Support cavity scaling decisions, reduce uncertainty regarding dimensional deviation risks, and prepare the mold for dimension calibrations.

Injection settings: Show how holding pressure, cooling balance, and melt temperature influence final part dimensions and their stability over repeated cycles.

A useful way to view the workflow is:

TDS shrinkage = the rough map

Flow simulation = the GPS

Mold trials = the controlled production stage that provides real, measurable parts for dimensional evaluation

Steel-safe adjustments = applying these measurements to refine cavity dimensions and reach the target accuracy

A structured approach like this makes shrinkage predictable, supports dimensional accuracy, and strengthens the repeatability of every injected part.

🔥 Shrinkage happens — Precision is achieved through methodical work

source : Zachi Fizik

📢 Time to get technical... How fiberglass became a global industry

 📢 Time to get technical... 📢

Before fiberglass became a global industry, it was just an idea that didn’t quite work. 😅

In 1836, Ignace Dubus-Bonnel patented the first method of making glass fibers but they were too thick, too brittle, and impossible to mass-produce.

Nearly a century later, in 1932, Dale Kleist (working at Owens-Illinois) accidentally discovered something remarkable.

By spraying molten glass through equipment designed for metal, he created a stream of ultrafine glass fibers. What started as an architectural sealing experiment became the foundation of modern fiberglass manufacturing.

Just four years later, those fibers were strong and flexible enough to be woven into cloth , opening the door to entirely new industries.

Innovation doesn’t always arrive with a grand plan.

Sometimes it shows up in the lab when curiosity meets experimentation.

📚 Reference: The Fiberglass Story by Michael Lamm

source : The Native Lab

Today's KNOWLEDGE Share : Entry into Type 4 Composite Cylinder Manufacturing Plant

Today's KNOWLEDGE Share

💡Entry into Type 4 Composite Cylinder Manufacturing Plant

With over two decades of hands-on experience in the Type 4 composite cylinder industry, I would like to highlight several critical considerations for new entrants evaluating this sector. Before initiating a Type 4 composite cylinder manufacturing project, it is essential to develop a thorough understanding of potential product failure modes and the engineering solutions required to mitigate them. Compliance with stringent regional and international certification standards is non-negotiable. Engaging an experienced industry consultant at an early stage is strongly recommended to gain clarity on project complexities, avoid strategic missteps, and ensure a structured and compliant approach to market entry.

💡This segment involves numerous hidden technical, regulatory, and commercial parameters that require in-depth evaluation. Without proper expertise, companies risk significant capital losses. The industry is evolving rapidly, with new materials, resins, fibers, and additives continuously emerging each offering enhanced performance but requiring rigorous validation and analysis before adoption.

Many companies have deployed significant capital into this sector only to stall during execution, leading to disengaged teams, sunk investments, and delayed commercialization—outcomes that are entirely preventable. Success requires decisive leadership, deep technical expertise, and long-term strategic alignment. Joint ventures, while initially appealing, often entail escalating capital commitments to sustain global competitiveness. Cost-driven compromises in materials or design have repeatedly resulted in project failure; such risks can be mitigated through early engagement with experienced technical advisors. Critically, Type 4 composite cylinder manufacturing demands a fundamentally different engineering and validation paradigm than traditional metal cylinders and must be managed proactively to avoid execution bottlenecks.

Currently, approximately 35 companies worldwide are involved in Type 4 composite cylinder manufacturing. However, only around 15 have a visible market presence, and fewer than 8 have established strong regional dominance.

🧠As we approach 2026, new entrants must adopt a highly advanced, well-capitalized, and execution-driven approach to commercialization. Certification alone does not guarantee profitability; many certified manufacturers continue to struggle financially. Therefore, engaging an experienced expert for strategic planning, cost modeling, and market positioning before initiating the project is critical. Hesitation to invest in professional consulting during the early stages often results in far greater financial losses during later phases of the project lifecycle.

Muthuramalingam Krishnan

photo Credit : Hexagon Purus

#composites #type4cylinder #hydrogen #zeroemission