Chennai evaluates to run its bus service on CNG

In order to reduce the emission levels and operational costs, the government-owned Metropolitan Transport Corporation (MTC) intends to powered is bus fleet by compressed natural. Consequently, the company recently held meetings with Indian Oil Corporation (IOC) to determine the proper infrastructure to supply the fluid.

"We are keen on shifting to CNG to bring down emission levels of our buses. It would also reduce our fuel expenditure. We had elaborate discussions with IOC, but they said they were not in a position to supply CNG now,'' reported transport official to The Times of India.

IOC executives stated they are planning the construction of an LNG terminal at Ennore. "We signed a memorandum of understanding with the Tamil Nadu Industrial Development Corporation early this month to set up a Rs 3,000-crore facility,” he added.

On behalf of Petroleum Conservation Research Association, V Sivakumar explained: "Delhi government was able to control pollution there by converting diesel-operated buses into CNG-run vehicles. Though the capital expenditure to set up the infrastructure for CNG will be high, it would give 1.5 times more mileage than diesel. It will also increase the operational efficiency of the vehicle."

Thermoplastic PUR Gives ‘Midas Touch’ to Prosthetic Fingers

Partial Hand Solutions has developed prosthetic fingers using thermoplastic polyurethane (PUR) from RTP Company. ‘M-Fingers’ device from Partial Hand has been used as a prototype. The inner structure of the dexterous fingers and multi-position friction thumb is designed using RTP 2300-series glass-filled rigid thermoplastic PUR, which is over-molded with RTP 1200-series thermoplastic PUR elastomer to provide each finger with dexterity. The fingers and thumb have urethane over-molds to provide better grasp and in-molded finger nails for picking up small objects. The rigid PUR material gives strength and dimensional stability to the product. The mechanical fingers are actuated by a Spectra cable that crosses the wrist and is controlled by simple wrist flexion. M-Fingers are normally built using silicone partial hand socket with the appropriate number of fingers and finger sizes to match the sound-side hand. M-Fingers are distributed by Liberating Technologies of Holliston, MA.

LANXESS Optimistic About Tyre Market in India

LANXESS, a specialty chemicals firm, foresees increase in demand for synthetic rubber in India, a country with a long history in the production and consumption of natural rubber. Driven by the need of rapid modernization, India is currently undergoing a shift towards replacing natural with synthetic rubber in a variety of applications. As one of the world's leaders in manufacturing synthetic rubber and backed by a history of serving the Indian market for over 40 years, LANXESS is set to play an important role in this development.

One of the growth drivers for high performance rubber in India is the automotive industry. Triggered by a burgeoning middle class, demand for passenger cars and two-wheelers is rising. The automotive industry is expected to grow by about 12-14% in 2010-2012. In addition, the government has an ambitious project of expanding and strengthening the highway infrastructure of India by an estimated growth rate of 8-9%.

Increase in mobility would generate more demand for tyres. Modern radial tyres rely on high-performance synthetic rubber to achieve their superior qualities. LANXESS manufactures a wide range of rubber chemicals, high-performance rubber and technical rubber products to cater to these demands.

To be able to serve the Indian customers locally, LANXESS, the only western company manufacturing rubber chemicals in India, operates plants in Jhagadia in the state of Gujarat and, through its subsidiary Rhein Chemie, in Madurai, Tamil Nadu (polymer bound rubber chemicals are produced). In addition, LANXESS is constructing a state-of-the-art butyl rubber plant in Jurong Island, Singapore, which is scheduled to start operations in Q1 2013. The plant is designed for a capacity of 100,000 metric tons per year.

LANXESS markets a wide range of high-performance synthetic rubbers to cater to the Indian rubber industry needs, both tyre and non-tyre.

Vulkacit® (powder rubber accelerators), Vulkanox (anti-oxidants), and other rubber chemicals from LANXESS and Rhenogran® (polymer bound rubber chemicals) from Rhein Chemie are used in tyres, tyre tubes and flaps, rubber belts, rubber fuel tubes and automotive window profiles among others.

Butyl rubber is a synthetic rubber characterized by high impermeability to air. Halobutyl rubber, a specialty rubber polymer, is used in the manufacture of innerliners - the innermost layer of radial tyres for car, truck, bus and aircraft tyres.

Buna® synthetic rubbers from LANXESS see very healthy demand from the tyre industry due to their ability to take dynamic loads and resistance to heat and abrasion and are used widely by the Indian tyre industry.

Baypren®, Perbunan®, Therban® and other technical rubber products from LANXESS are used for non-tyre applications in the automotive industry like window profiles, seals, belts, hoses and various other moulded products.

With these investments in the Indian and Asian markets and the array of rubber and related products that the company offers, LANXESS is geared to participate in India's growth. As the pioneer in synthetic rubber, rubber chemicals, LANXESS is rightly equipped to cater to the demand for synthetic rubber and rubber chemicals, products and applications for the growing tyre and non-tyre industry in India.

About LANXESS

LANXESS is one of the leading specialty chemicals companies with sales of EUR 5.06 billion in 2009 and currently around 14,400 employees in 23 countries. The company is represented at 42 production sites worldwide. The core business of LANXESS is the development, manufacturing and marketing of plastics, rubber, intermediates and specialty chemicals.

NEC Develops Advanced Bioplastic from Plant Stems and Cashew Nut Shells

TOKYO, Japan -- NEC Corporation announced the development of a first-of-its-kind durable new biomass-based plastic (bioplastic) that is produced from non-edible plant resources. The bioplastic is created by bonding cellulose^*1, a main component of plant stems, with cardanol^*2, a primary component of cashew nut shells, which achieves a level of durability that is suitable for electronic equipments and boasts a high plant composition ratio of more than 70%.

The new bioplastic characteristics are as follows:

1. Composed of non-edible plant resources: As an alternative to petroleum-based components, cellulose is the plastic's major ingredient. The cellulose, which is produced in large amounts by plants, including grass stems, etc., is modified by cardanol, an oil-like material that is extracted from cashew nut shells. Most of these stems and nut shells are abundant resources, which are often discarded byproducts of the agricultural process.



2. High plant component ratio: The use of cellulose and cardanol, both plant resources, as the plastic's primary components produces a plastic that features a high plant component ratio of more than 70%. Current cellulose based plastics include large amounts of petroleum-based additives, which results in a low plant component ratio.



3. High durability well suited for electronics: After enhancing its reactivity, cardanol is chemically bonded with cellulose, which produces a durable thermoplastic 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.

Comparison to existing bioplastics: polylactic acid resin (PLA) and cellulose acetate (CA) based resin (According to studies carried out by NEC):

• Durability (strength & malleability): Twice the strength of existing PLA. Comparable to conventional CA resin
• Heat resistance (glass transition temperature): More than twice the resistance of PLA, approximately 1.3 times more than CA resin
• Water resistance: Comparable to PLA, approximately 3 times more than CA resin
• Molding time: Less than 50% of PLA. Comparable to conventional cellulose-based and petroleum-based plastics.

In recent years, bioplastics composed from plant resources gathered greater attention as an effective measure to reduce the depletion of petroleum resources and alleviate global warming. However, while current leading bioplastics, such as PLA, primarily use feed grains as a plant resource, the possibility of future food shortages has emphasized the importance of using non-edible plant resources to produce bioplastics.

Therefore, non-edible plant-based bioplastics have been developed using such resources as cellulose and castor oil. These cellulose-based bioplastics have conventionally been utilized in stationery, toys and household goods. However, these modified celluloses require large amounts of petroleum-based additives such as plasticizers, which results in bioplastics with a low plant component ratio and poor durability, including heat resistance and water resistance.

A polyamide resin derived from castor oil, a non-edible plant resource is also being used in electronic parts, however, there is an inadequate supply of this plant resource to expand its use and its characteristics are unsuitable for use in a variety of electronics.

However, NEC's newly developed bioplastic resolves each of these issues. Looking forward, the company will continue with research and development towards mass production of this bioplastic and improving its suitability for a wide range of electronic equipment within the 2013 fiscal year.

This newly developed bioplastic will be formally announced at The Chemical Society of Japan / Kanto Branch meeting at the University of Tsukuba on August 31, 2010.

Sunglasses made from Transparent Biosourced Polyamide

On the occasion of the last outdoor Retailer Summer exhibition in Salt Lake City (US), the French material producer Arkema and the American company Smith Optics unveiled the latest Smith Optics ‘Evolve’ sunglasses collection, which is made using an Arkema bio-renewable sourced thermoplastic i.e. Rilsan® Clear G830 Rnew. The new ‘Evolve’ collection includes 20 new sunglass frame models that are all made entirely from this Rilsan® grade that is a transparent polyamide material stemming from castor oil. In fact the Rilsan® Clear G830 Rnew grade includes 54% bio-based raw material. It provides the required characteristics for the Smith Optics sunglasses i.e. good impact resistance, high durability, good flexibility as well as lightness and optimal comfort. Moreover it offers good chemical resistance and is easily processed.

New York will have 475 new compressed natural gas buses

Metropolitan Transit Authority (MTA) has awarded New Flyer of America Inc., a contract for the acquisition of up to 475 buses. The company is dedicated to CNG fuel systems, it first delivered CNG buses to San Diego and has delivered more than 3,500 CNG buses over the past 15 years.

These CNG buses will be operated by the New York City Transit Authority (NYCTA) and the MTA Bus Company (MTA Bus), the largest transit agency in North America that is responsible for public transportation in the state of New York.

The contract is for 135 40-foot CNG heavy-duty transit buses with options for up to an additional of 340 CNG buses. Since 1996, New Flyer has delivered 823 buses to the MTA. These 475 CNG buses will join the 190 pre-existing NGV’s. This figure will exceed the current fleet of diesel units running on New York City streets.

Two pilot buses will be delivered to the MTA in May 2011, with the balance of the base order delivered in the last part of 2011 and early 2012.

Scotland creates new industry for whiskey-based biofuel for cars

The whiskey industry could soon have a new product that has nothing to do with giving drinkers their desired buzz, but rather provide clean fuel for vehicles.

Scientists from the Edinburgh Napier University in Scotland filed a patent on Tuesday for a new biofuel derived from the byproducts of whiskey distillation that can be used in ordinary vehicles minus the usual modification to become biofuel-ready.

The new biofuel, a result of a two-year research project by the university’s Biofuel Research Center, uses two main byproducts in the whiskey production process – pot ale, the liquid that comes from the whiskey production copper stills and draff, the spent grains – to create butanol that can be used as fuel.

Biobutanol is believed to be the next-generation biofuel, with scientists claiming they can give 30 percent more output power than ethanol. It can also be used to make other green renewable biochemicals such as acetone.

“The most likely form of distribution of the biofuel would be a blend of perhaps 5 percent or 10 percent of the biofuel with petrol or diesel, but 5 percent or 10 percent means less oil, which would make a big, big difference,” said Martin Tangney, director of the research center and leader of the project.

“The new biofuel is made from biological material which has been already generated. Theoretically it could be used entirely on its own but you would have to find a company to distribute it,” he said.

The university plans to create a spinoff company to leverage the commercial opportunity of the new biobutanol in a bid to make it available at petrol pumps.

The £4 billion ($6.2 billion) whiskey industry is one of Scotland’s biggest markets, and with 1.6 billion liters of pot ale and 187,000 metric tons of draff produced by the industry annually, there is enormous potential for biofuel to be available at petrol pumps alongside traditional fuels, the researchers said.

Lena Wilson, chief executive of Scottish Enterprise, Scotland’s main economic, enterprise and investment agency, has pledged support for the project.

“By proactively taking innovative ideas from the laboratory to the global market place, Scotland can continue to compete at the highest level and successfully boost its economic recovery,” Ms. Wilson said. The £260,000 biofuel research project was funded under the Scottish Enterprise’s proof of concept program.

The European Union said biofuels should account for 10 percent of total fuel sales in the bloc by 2020. At the same time, the new biofuel could help Scotland achieve its own renewable energy target.