ELIX Polymers and Partners to Produce 3D Printed Prosthetics Using rABS

 ELIX Polymers has collaborated with Repsol and Leitat on a sociotechnological project with Ayúdame3D, a Spanish social startup that promotes the social value of technology through awareness-raising programs to help people with disabilities thanks to 3D printing.

Sustainable Orthopedic Solution

Ayúdame3D creates and delivers 3D printed prosthetics called Trésdesis, free of charge to people throughout the world. It obtains financing through programs with education centers and through CSR actions with companies: sponsorships, corporate volunteering and the creation of solidarity trophies and merchandising, as well as social impact conferences.

ELIX Polymers is a company that has great experience in the Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene (ABS) industry. And within the framework of its Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) and in order to contribute positively to the social well-being of people and reduce social inequalities, ELIX has collaborated with the association on a solidarity project that uses recycled ABS as the raw material for 3D printing.

The challenge of ELIX Polymers has been to offer a customized solution for the project, for which it has applied the circular economy model through two strategic programs of the company’s portfolio of sustainable solutions: ‘Circular Plastics’ and ‘Responsible Innovation’. In the manufacturing process, ELIX has upcycled by turning waste into a high-value product through cooperation in the entire value chain, in which it has incorporated virtualization and new 3D technologies.

Trésdesis: 3D Printed Arms for Wrist, Elbow or Shoulder

The project has been possible thanks to the collaboration with two large companies: Repsol that donated 4,000 pieces of ABS boards to the association, coming from computer equipment that would have otherwise been discarded; and Leitat, which is a technology center of excellence. Leitat has created spools using the raw material recovered by ELIX for the subsequent 3D printing and manufacturing of Trésdesis, which are 3D printed arms for the wrist, elbow or shoulder.

Toni Prunera, head of Business Development and R&D /IP at ELIX, comments: "This project has given us the opportunity to show and prove the benefits of plastic, specifically through a more efficient ABS recovery circle that has resulted in an orthopedic application that will allow helping people who are the most vulnerable.’ Toni adds that ‘ABS is a great ally in medical applications that help to improve the health of people and society"

As a leading global company in ABS manufacturing, for several years ELIX Polymers has promoted the recovery of plastic waste as a raw material, and specifically in the development of this project, the circularity of ABS has been key. The project has also been a success thanks to the leadership of Ayúdame3D and its commitment, work and efforts to place technology at the service of people. Under the motto, ‘Helping is too easy not to’, and with the help of donations and collaborative efforts, the social entity is taking innovation and technology to countries where they are needed the most.

Source: ELIX Polymers

U.S. researchers create hydrogen fuel by mimicking photosynthesis

The researchers converted light energy into chemical fuel.

A team of scientists from the University of South Carolina (UofSC) and Florida State University (FSU) have discovered a way to convert light energy into chemical fuel in a lab, successfully producing hydrogen fuel by mimicking photosynthesis.

The researchers pursued the idea of using simple molecules to mimic photosynthesis.
In their study, the scientists combined two molecules. One was a photoredox catalyst, for instance a catalyst that can move electrons with light. The other was naphthol, which is a fluorescent organic compound.

These combined molecules were exposed to light and each molecule absorbed a photon and then worked together to produce hydrogen fuel. They did this by mimicking a process that is referred to as the Z-Scheme in natural photosynthesis.

Florida State University Associate Professor of Chemistry Ken Hanson and University of South Carolina Associate Professor of Chemistry Aaron Vannucci both participated in the study. The two scientists previously worked together as postdoctoral associates ten years ago and both were keen to pursue the idea of using simple molecules to imitate photosynthesis.

“This general idea is being pursued in research labs across the globe. What makes our system unique is the molecule we use for the bond-forming reaction,” Vannucci said. “Remarkably, despite being a simple and abundant molecule, naphthol absorbs light, accepts electrons and acts as the catalyst for hydrogen production.”

This type of hydrogen fuel production doesn’t rely on expensive catalysts like platinum.
According to Hanson, one of the “holy grails of alternative energy research” is to utilize sunlight to create chemical bonds that can then be used for fuel. However, making these high-energy bonds is difficult work, says Hanson, and not easy to do with a single packet of light energy or a photon.

Presently, the efficiency of the scientists’ current system is only 5%. Knowing that there is certainly room for improvement, the research team is now working to understand the details of how naphthol produced hydrogen fuel without requiring a more traditional – and expensive catalyst – like platinum. The insights they gain from further study will be used to enhance the energy conversion efficiency and increase its utility to additional reactions.
The solar fuel production study is published in the Journal of the American Chemical Society.

Source:https://lnkd.in/gnpFd_tP
hydrogenfuelnews

2022 Mergers and Acquisitions that Made Headlines in Polymer Industry

The polymer industry witnessed some major mergers and acquisitions that made an impact on the market. Let’s have a look back at the key acquisitions in case you might have missed some.

Disruptive Deals

Celanese Successfully Acquires DuPont’s Mobility & Materials Business

Celanese Corporation announced it has completed the acquisition of the majority of the Mobility & Materials (M&M) business of DuPont. The Company announced the acquisition of M&M in February 2022. As part of the transaction, Celanese has acquired a broad portfolio of engineered thermoplastics and elastomers, industry-renowned brands and intellectual property, global production assets, and a world-class organization.

HEXPOL to Acquire 100% of the Shares in McCann Plastics LLC

HEXPOL has signed an agreement to acquire 100% of the shares in McCann Plastics LLC from the McCann family.

The acquisition price amounts to 120 MUSD on a cash and debt free basis and is funded by a combination of cash and existing bank facilities. The transaction will close after regulatory approval which is estimated to the 4th quarter of 2022.

RadiciGroup Successfully Acquires Engineering Plastic Business of Ester Industries Ltd.

Last May, RadiciGroup announced this important action aimed at strengthening its internationalization strategy, with an investment of around 35 million euros: the transaction allows RadiciGroup - in India since 2006 - to further reinforce its local presence through the acquisition of one of the main and historic players on the Indian market.

Coperion Acquires Herbold Meckesheim, a Mechanical Recycling Specialist

Coperion formally completes the acquisition of the engineering company Herbold Meckesheim .

Herbold Meckesheim will be integrated with Coperion’s recycling product lines into its new Recycling Business Unit that plans to offer complete solutions for plastics recycling processing.

Herbold Meckesheim will continue to operate at its existing location and retain its name. Both companies will combine their capabilities in the field of recycling and integrate to build modular systems and plant solutions that cover a broad sector of the circular economy, as well as large sections of the globe with their combined sales and service network.

Carbon Acquires ParaMatters to Expand its Software Capabilities for 3D Printing

Carbon, a 3D printing technology company, announces the acquisition of ParaMatters, a software provider for additive manufacturing.

This acquisition expands Carbon’s current software capabilities to include topology optimization. Carbon’s technology platform now broadens to enable product design and development teams to create better products in less time using a wide variety of materials and production systems.

Avient Announces Divestiture of its Distribution Business to H.I.G. Capital

Avient Corporation announced it has entered into a definitive agreement to sell its Distribution business to an affiliate of H.I.G. Capital for $950 million in cash, subject to regulatory approval.

On April 20, 2022, the company announced it was exploring a sale of its Distribution business, in connection with announcing an agreement to acquire the Protective Materials business of DSM. The company recently completed that process, culminating in this announcement.

3D Systems to Acquire dp polar GmbH

3D Systems announced that it has entered an agreement to acquire dp polar GmbH, the German-based designer and manufacturer of the industry’s first additive manufacturing system designed for true high-speed mass production of customized components.

With this acquisition, 3D Systems will leverage its industry-leading polymer materials portfolio as well as Oqton’s software technology to bring true high-speed, mass production additive manufacturing to a breadth of industries including aerospace, automotive, foundries, consumer goods, and healthcare.

Univar Solutions Acquires Vicom, a Specialty Chemicals Distributor in Spain

Univar Solutions announces the acquisition of Vicom Distribución Productos Quimicos, S.L., a specialty chemicals distributor in Spain and Portugal.

The Vicom acquisition will further expand Univar's already robust specialty portfolio of coatings, adhesives, sealants, and elastomers (CASE) offerings by enhancing its range of additive solutions and augmenting its presence in Europe with more sustainable options.

Alpek Announces Successful Acquisition of OCTAL

Alpek announced that it has received all necessary approvals from the regulatory authorities and has finalized its acquisition of OCTAL Holding SAOC (“OCTAL”).
Alpek has assumed control of OCTAL’s operations from June 1, 2022. The Company expects an accretive EBITDA effect of approximately U.S. $120 million from these assets throughout the remainder of 2022, largely based on the better-than-expected Polyester market conditions prevalent in recent months.

Ascend to Acquire Formulated Polymers’ Compounding Division in India

Ascend Performance Materials has reached an agreement to acquire the compounding division of Formulated Polymers Limited, an engineered materials manufacturer in Chennai, India. This acquisition will establish Ascend’s first manufacturing base in the subcontinent and strengthen Ascend’s global reach in the electrical and e-mobility application space.

Ensinger Acquires INEOS Styrolution’s StyLight® Thermoplastic Composite Business

Ensinger and INEOS Styrolution announced the joint agreement that Ensinger has acquired the StyLight® thermoplastic composite materials business of INEOS Styrolution.

The acquisition adds an exclusive SAN based product range to Ensinger’s comprehensive thermoplastic composite portfolio. SAN based products bring many new thermoplastic composite possibilities to the market such as carbon, glass and natural (flax) based fiber products for aesthetic materials, semi structural, and over molding applications to name a few.

Trinseo Completes Heathland’s Acquisition to Advance Plastics Circularity

Trinseo completes the acquisition of Heathland, a collector and recycler of post-consumer (PCR, EoL) and post-industrial (PIR) plastic wastes in Europe.

The acquisition is aligned with Trinseo’s 2030 Sustainability Goals, which outline the Company’s focus on tackling climate change, embedding sustainability in its product portfolio, promoting supplier and operational stewardship, and embodying responsibility as an employer.

Source: SpecialChem

HYUNDAI MOTOR TO SUPPLY 1100 HYDROGEN FUEL-CELL SYSTEMS TO GERMAN AUTOMAKER

In a three-year agreement, South Korean car giant Hyundai Motor Group will provide more than 1,000 hydrogen fuel-cell systems to a German manufacturer of environmentally friendly vehicles.

According to the agreement, Hyundai Motor Group will provide 1,100 hydrogen fuel-cell systems for environmentally friendly trash and transport trucks to be made by Enginius, a division of German automaker Faun Group, the firm said in a statement.

According to Faun Group, the second half of 2023 will see the installation of Hyundai’s 90-kilowatt hydrogen fuel-cell systems in its Bluepower garbage and Citypower cargo vehicles.

Hyundai unveiled a brand for its fuel cell technology in January 2021. Its name is HTWO, which is an acronym for the hydrogen molecule H2.

The company started constructing the HTWO Gwangzhou hydrogen fuel-cell systems plant in March of last year with the intention of starting production of 6,500 units annually in 2023. The Korean automobile conglomerate will be the sole owner of the HTWO Gwangzhou facility.

Hyundai anticipates that as China, the largest auto market in the world works to supply 1 million hydrogen-powered vehicles by 2035, demand for hydrogen fuel-cell systems will continue to rise.

To maintain its leadership position in the worldwide hydrogen vehicle markets, Hyundai plans to create 500,000 hydrogen cars and 700,000 hydrogen fuel-cell systems by 2030.

Hyundai now runs a domestic hydrogen fuel-cell system manufacturing facility. Additionally, it intends to construct facilities in the US and Europe.

Source:energynewsbiz

Major Hydrogen Developments November

 *** Major Hydrogen Developments November - Part 2 ***

Detailing major Green Hydrogen developments for November

• #ELSEWEDYELECTRIC in partnership with #ReNewPower signs a Framework Agreement with the Government of Egypt for a Green Hydrogen Project

• #Everwind signs MOU with #PotlotekDevelopment to support its Green Hydrogen and Green Ammonia development in Nova Scotia • • #BakkenEnergy Announces Partnership with the Grand Forks Air Force Base

• France's #HDFEnergy to develop Uganda's first hydrogen plant

• #NelASA: Nel and GM collaborate on cost competitive renewable hydrogen production

• Korean firms seek to build green hydrogen plants in Saudi's #Neom

• #FortescueFutureIndustries takes major step towards study and development of green hydrogen and renewable energy with Egypt at COP27

• #Ohmium Collaborates with NovoHydrogen to Provide 120 MW of Green Hydrogen

• #AMEAPower signs Agreement with the Government of Egypt to deploy 1,000MW Green Hydrogen Project

• #Masdar-led consortium strengthens partnership to advance landmark 4 GW green hydrogen program in Egypt

• Egypt’s #COP27 unlocks the rise of green hydrogen mega-project development through framework agreement signature between Egyptian Government, EDF Renewables and Zero Waste

• #ReNuEnergy & Anantara MoU for Green Hydrogen in Southeast Asia

• #FusionFuel Enters into Joint Agreement with Duferco Energia SpA to Develop Italian Green Hydrogen Market

• #Samsung C&T’s agreement to strengthen the clean hydrogen value chain

• #SaintNazaire Port Collaborate to Develop Offshore Renewable Hydrogen

• #Globeleq signs green hydrogen framework agreement with government of Egypt at COP27

• #Linde starts green hydrogen production in Greece

• Green hydrogen: Latin America makes moves on ‘fuel of the future’

• #ESB and The Shannon Airport Group sign MOU to explore hydrogen potential in Ireland

• #Hyd'Occ signs a memorandum of understanding with #SEMOP Port-La-Nouvelle for the establishment and operation of a renewable hydrogen production plant

• #ReNuEnergy completes $4.5m capital raising to advance green hydrogen projects

• #Lhyfe launches Lhyfe Heroes, the first digital platform helping hydrogen pioneers to deploy their projects

• #Metacon and wastewater treatment plant Abwasserverband Kempten (Allgau) sign MoU for demonstrating the biogas-to-green hydrogen opportunity for Germany and the world

• #Acwapower, PTT public company limited, and Electricity Generating Authority of Thailand set to support Thailand’s decarbonisation aspiration in green hydrogen and derivatives development project

• Fusion Fuel and #ElectusEnergy announce exclusive agreement to develop a 75 MW green hydrogen project in Bakersfield, California

Source:Adrian Mason