Today's KNOWLEDGE Share:Compostable Biopolymers Used to Develop Greenhouse Twines

Today's KNOWLEDGE Share

BASF's Compostable Biopolymers Used to Develop Greenhouse Twines

BASF expands its offering for sustainable food production. Its certified compostable biopolymer ecovio® can now also be used to manufacture black twines. These twines are used to grow annual fruit and vegetables in commercial greenhouses.

The grade ecovio® T 2206 is certified industrial compostable according to EN13432. This means that after harvesting the twines can be collected together with the plant residues and transported to industrial composting facilities (depending on local regulations) where they biodegrade.

Supports Organic Recycling and Helps Close the Nutrient Loop

With this new end-of-life option for twines, persistent microplastics in organic waste can be avoided while at the same time more green waste can be turned into valuable compost. The industrial compostable ecovio® thus supports organic recycling and helps to close the nutrient loop to achieve a circular economy.

Twines made of ecovio® T 2206 can be used to help creepers like tomatoes and cucumbers to climb upwards in greenhouse structures in many climates from Europe, South America to Asia and Canada. Tests show the twines’ excellent performance until the end of the crop cycle. After harvesting farmers do not have to laboriously separate the twines from the plants but simply collect them together for composting. The certified industrial compostable twines do not only show benefits for farmers but also for manufacturers. ecovio® T 2206 can be produced on standard polypropylene (PP) machinery for twines.

More BASF Biopolymers for Agricultural Applications

BASF’s biopolymers portfolio for sustainable agriculture and food production also includes the certified soil-biodegradable grade ecovio® M 2351 (according to EN 17033). It was especially developed for mulch films used in agriculture and horticulture to increase the yield, speed up harvesting as well as to save water and herbicides.

Mulch films made of ecovio® M 2351 are completely and biologically degraded by microorganisms like bacteria and fungi that exist naturally in the soil. Farmers can simply plough the mulch films made of ecovio® M 2351 back into the ground after harvest. This saves time and money - and it helps to avoid persistent microplastics in agricultural soil which would occur, if farmers used conventional mulch films made of non-biodegradable polyethylene (PE).

Certified Biodegradability in Industrial and Home Composting:

BASF’s biopolymer ecovio® is certified compostable in accordance with standards such as EN13432. It is a blend of BASF’s PBAT ecoflex® and renewable raw materials. Typical applications for ecovio® are organic waste bags, cling film, fruit and vegetable bags, as well as agricultural mulch films and food packaging applications.

Studies show the advantages of ecovio® for production, packaging and shelf life of food as well as for the collection of food waste.

Source: BASF/omnexus.specialchem.com

Today's KNOWLEDGE Share:Von Mises stress

Today's KNOWLEDGE Share

Can a critical value of Equivalent Von Mises stress predict such a brittle failure of your part ?

NO

Von Mises is a scalar that sort of captures the "average Shear Stresses" in your point of interest in the part. It totally ignores the hydrostatic components of your stress tensor. As such, Von Mises can only predict DUCTILE failure observed when exceeding the appropriate Yield threshold.

In "layman" words, Von Mises is totally useless at predicting brittle failure. And this is why we tend to consider brittle failure as "unexpected".

The truth is we often fail to use the right approach to predict this type of failure.

source:vito leo

Today's KNOWLEDGE Share:New Measures to Make Packaging More Sustainable

Today's KNOWLEDGE Share

EU Parliament Adopts New Measures to Make Packaging More Sustainable

Parliament adopts new measures to make packaging more sustainable and reduce packaging waste in the EU.

The regulation, which aims to tackle constantly growing waste, harmonize internal market rules and boost the circular economy, was approved with 476 votes in favor, 129 against and 24 abstentions.

Ban on the Use of PFAS above Certain Thresholds:

The rules, which have been provisionally agreed on with the Council, include packaging reduction targets (5% by 2030, 10% by 2035, and 15% by 2040) and require EU countries to reduce, in particular, the amount of plastic packaging waste. To reduce unnecessary packaging, a maximum empty space ratio of 50% is set for grouped, transport and e-commerce packaging; manufacturers and importers will also have to ensure that the weight and volume of packaging are minimized.

Certain single use plastic packaging types will be banned from 1 January 2030. These include packaging for unprocessed fresh fruit and vegetables, packaging for foods and beverages filled and consumed in cafés and restaurants, individual portions (for e.g. condiments, sauces, creamer, sugar), accommodation miniature packaging for toiletry products and very lightweight plastic carrier bags (below 15 microns).

To prevent adverse health effects, the text includes a ban on the use of so called “forever chemicals” above certain thresholds in food contact packaging.

Encourage Reuse and Refill Options for Consumers

Specific 2030 reuse targets are foreseen for alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages packaging (except e.g. milk, wine, aromatized wine, spirits), transport and sales packaging, as well as grouped packaging. Member states may grant a five-year derogation from these requirements under certain conditions.

Final distributors of beverages and take-away food will have to offer consumers the option of bringing their own container. They will also be required to endeavor to offer 10% of products in a reusable packaging format by 2030.

Recyclable Packaging, Better Waste Collection and Recycling

Under the new rules, all packaging (except for lightweight wood, cork, textile, rubber, ceramic, porcelain, and wax) will have to be recyclable by fulfilling strict criteria.

Measures also include minimum recycled content targets for plastic packaging and minimum recycling targets by weight of packaging waste.

By 2029, 90% of single use plastic and metal beverage containers (up to three liters) will have to be collected separately (via deposit-return systems or other solutions that ensure the collection target is met).

Background

In 2018, packaging generated a turnover of EUR 355 billion in the EU. It is an ever-increasing source of waste, the EU total having increased from 66 million tons in 2009 to 84 million tons in 2021. Each European generated 188.7 kg of packaging waste in 2021, a figure that is expected to increase to 209 kg in 2030 without additional measures. In adopting this legislation, Parliament is responding to citizens’ expectations to build a circular economy, avoid waste, phase out non-sustainable packaging and tackle the use of single use plastic packaging, as expressed in proposals 5(1), 5(3), 5(4), 5(5), 11(1), 11(4) and 20(3) of the conclusions of the Conference on the Future of Europe.

Source: European Parliament/polymeradditives.specialchem.com

Bibby Marine Orders First Battery and Methanol Powered eCSOV

 A shipbuilding contract has been completed for what is being called the “world’s first truly zero-emission, electric Commission Service Operation Vessel,” which is being built as part of UK sponsored demonstration project. The ship is expected to enter service in the UK in 2026 using a combination of a powerful battery system along with dual-fuel methanol engines.

A coalition of leading maritime companies led by Bibby Marine proposed the project as part of the UK’s Zero Emission Vessels and Infrastructure (ZEVI) project staged by the UK Department of Transportation. A total of £80 million was awarded to 10 projects in the 2022 round with the Bibby effort being awarded $25 million. They estimated the cost of the project for the vessel at $37.5 million total.

Bibby Marine reports that it completed a tender process and has selected Gondan to build the vessel. The Asturias shipyard in Spain won out of a variety of yards in the UK and internationally. Bibby cites the timeline, budget, and quality reputation as the deciding factors in the tender.

In the project proposal, the team called for a 295-foot vessel that would be primarily powered by electricity and batteries and have dual-fuel methanol-powered engines as backup. The ship will be ready for offshore charging and can recharge its batteries at night.

“The delivery of this vessel has the potential to be a game changer for our industry by accelerating our path to net zero, as well as showcasing marine innovation at its finest,” said Nigel Quinn, CEO of Bibby Marine. “This project will demonstrate that clean ships can be built at the same total cost of ownership as a conventional fossil burning vessel, coupled with significantly reduced operating costs.” 

The eCSOV, which has been designed in collaboration with UK-based ship designers Longitude. To facilitate zero-emission operations, the eCSOV will feature high-voltage offshore charging facilities for rapid recharging. The vessel will have the capability to operate solely on battery power for over 16 hours between charging cycles.

Describing the project in their application for the funding grant, the team said they expect that it will be possible to operate the vessel with a two-week cycle onsite at an offshore wind farm emissions-free. Near shore and onsite the vessel will operate solely on battery power. For the longer transits between the shore homeports and the wind farms, the vessel will use its methanol fuel engines.

One of the challenges that ZEVI also looks to address is the need for offshore charging capabilities. In the application, the group said the CSOV would still achieve a 50 percent reduction in emissions compared to a conventional SOV, if offshore charging is not available.

source:maritime-executive.com

Today's KNOWLEDGE Share:Shoes from Bio-PU Resin.

Today's KNOWLEDGE Share

SK chemicals and Partners Develop Trekking Shoes from Bio-PU Resin.

In light of global initiatives to combat climate change, domestic industries have joined forces to reduce carbon emissions in the outdoor industry.

SK chemicals, Dongsung Chemical, and BYN Black Yak announced on the 18th that they've developed sustainable footwear materials using the naturally-derived material "ECOTRION".They have applied them to Black Yak's "Trekking Shoes 343 MAX."

Consumers are attracted to the trekking shoes, launched as a new product this spring. This is because they satisfy both the high functionality required for outdoor activities and the value consumption trend for eco-friendly materials that reduce greenhouse gases.

Foot Pillow Cushioning Foam for Minimized Load on Ankle:

The three companies introduced this product after a year of collaboration. SK chemicals is the supplier of 100% bio-based polyol "ECOTRION," while Dongsung Chemical develops the bio-polyurethane resin "NEOPAN®" for footwear using this as a raw material. Utilizing this material, Black Yak produced the "Foot Pillow Cushioning Foam," which is applied to the heel support layer of the midsole to minimize loading on the ankle and knee joints.

The midsole of trekking shoes is a key component that determines the footwear’s weight and acts like a car’s suspension to provide the level of function. Cushioning is important because the midsole must absorb the impact on the body and ensure safe strides, even on rough terrain.

Dongsung Chemical's bio-polyurethane resin "NEOPAN®" for footwear maintains the high elasticity and flexibility of existing polyurethane resins. It uses bio-based raw materials, providing the shock absorption function of the "Foot Pillow Cushioning Foam."

ECOTRION, utilized in NEOPAN®, is an eco-friendly material that uses raw materials that reduce greenhouse gas emissions by approximately 40% in comparison to conventional petrochemical raw materials. It is utilized in the production of spandex, artificial leather, and urethane elastic materials that are challenging to recycle. ECOTRION has one less carbon atom in its chemical structure compared to petrochemical materials. This gives it a helical-shaped polymer structure that enables the production of products with high elastic resilience, similar to a spring.

Customers Actively Seek Climate-friendly Products

Sustainability, which has become a material trend across all industries, is also emerging as a major topic in the outdoor industry. A presentation at the world's largest sporting goods fair, "ISPO Munich 2023," revealed that 38% of consumers indicated a willingness to change their brand if it incorporated climate-friendly elements. Manufacturers are also actively seeking materials that enhance sustainability.

Source: SK chemicals/omnexus.specialchem.com

Today's KNOWLEDGE Share:4,000% boost! Eco-friendly hydrogen on the horizon

Today's KNOWLEDGE Share

A team of researchers led by Ryuhei Nakamura at the RIKEN Center for Sustainable Resource Science (CSRS) in Japan has made significant strides in the field of sustainable hydrogen extraction. Their research, published in Nature Catalysis, details an innovative method of extracting hydrogen from water using a custom-made catalyst. By manipulating the catalyst’s 3D structure, they achieved a remarkable increase in stability and extended the catalyst’s lifetime by nearly 4,000%. This breakthrough has profound implications for the establishment of a sustainable hydrogen-based energy economy.

Water electrolysis using proton exchange membranes (PEMs) is a green electrochemical process that splits water into oxygen and hydrogen. The hydrogen produced can be stored and used later, for instance, to power an electric car when combined with a PEM fuel cell. However, PEM electrolysis has limitations that hinder its widespread industrial use, such as in power plants.

The chemical reactions necessary for this process occur in a highly acidic environment, and the most effective catalysts for these reactions are extremely rare earth metals like iridium. Nakamura explains, “Scaling up PEM electrolysis to the terawatt scale would require 40 years’ worth of iridium, which is certainly impractical and highly unsustainable.”

A breakthrough in acid-water electrolysis:

Nearly two years ago, Nakamura and his team developed a groundbreaking process that enabled acid water electrolysis without relying on rare earth metals. By inserting manganese into a cobalt oxide lattice, they created a process that depended solely on common and sustainable earth metals. Despite the success, the process was not as stable as required in a PEM electrolyzer. Building on their previous discovery, they have now developed a longer-lasting, earth-abundant catalyst.

The new catalyst is a form of manganese oxide (MnO2). The researchers found that the reaction stability could be increased over 40 times by altering the catalyst’s lattice structure. Oxygen in the 3D lattice structure of manganese oxide comes in two configurations: planar and pyramidal. The planar version forms stronger bonds with manganese, and the researchers discovered that increasing the amount of planar oxygen in the lattice significantly enhanced catalytic stability.

Testing and results:

The team tested four different manganese oxides, which varied in the percentage of planar oxygen. When using the version with the highest achievable percentage, 94%, the critical oxygen evolution reaction could be maintained in acid for one month at 1000 mA/cm2. The total amount of charge transferred in this case was 100 times more than anything seen in previous studies.

When tested in a PEM electrolyzer, water electrolysis could be sustained for about six weeks at 200 mA/cm2. The total amount of water electrolyzed in this time period, and therefore the amount of hydrogen produced, was ten times more than has been achieved in the past with other non-rare metal catalysts. Co-first author Shuang Kong notes, “Surprisingly, the improved stability did not come at a cost in activity, which is usually the case. A PEM water electrolyzer that generates hydrogen with an earth-abundant catalyst at a rate of 200 mA/cm2 is highly efficient.”

The road ahead:

While there is still work to be done, the researchers are optimistic about the potential for tangible, real-world applications that contribute to carbon neutrality. Industrial applications typically require a stable current density of 1000 mA/cm2 that lasts for several years, rather than a month. However, Nakamura is confident about the future, stating, “We will continue to modify catalyst structure to increase both current density and catalyst lifetime. In the long-term, our efforts should help achieve the ultimate objective for all stakeholders – to conduct PEM water electrolysis without the use of iridium.”

source:interestingenginnering

Asahi Kasei Plastics North America to Highlight its New 3D Printing Filament at NPE 2024

Asahi Kasei Plastics North America (APNA) will highlight new technologies, such as its 3D printing filament, at the NPE 2024, at booth S14012.

m-PPE Filaments as Replacement of PC-ABS and PEI:

The latest announcement from APNA involved the launch of a new 3D printing product. At NPE, APNA will showcase multiple filaments from their award-winning resins for the first time. These products meet customers’ needs in an industry that has become increasingly prominent within industrial, aerospace, and automotive manufacturing processes.

The first line of the new filaments is made from XYRON™, APNA’s modified polyphenylene ether resin (m-PPE). It is known for its excellent balance of heat resistance and impact strength. This material replaces polycarbonate–acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (PC-ABS), and polyetherimide (PEI) alternatives in various applications. The second line is made from Thermylene® polypropylene (PP) resin. It offers high strength and stiffness, does not require drying, and has lower warpage compared to traditional unfilled polypropylene alternatives.

APNA will also unveil a dedicated sustainability kiosk at its booth. It will showcase its feed stream diversity and new recycled grade series. Thermylene® R polypropylene compounds are the first of the series, which aim to lower carbon footprints while providing lower density, chemical resistance, and superior strength. Thermylon® R polyamide compounds are also designed to reduce carbon footprint. These offer benefits like high-temperature use and stiffness for metal replacement applications. Both lines aim to address the growing sustainability needs of the industry, so experts will be available to discuss post-industrial or post-consumer recycled options to help with circular feed stream initiatives.

High-performance Recyclable Purging Concentrate:

Through the Asaclean Purging Compounds merger, APNA has created a streamlined process for purchasers to acquire pellets and purging compounds in one place. It improves the purchasing experience and increasing efficiency. For relevant user experience and a live demo space, the Asaclean brand will have a separate booth showcasing its PLUS Grade purging concentrate at the show. PLUS Grade is a high-performance, recyclable purging concentrate that addresses the solution of blending seamlessly with processors’ production resins.

State-of-the-Art SEBS Grades:

Tying in plastic technology diversity, the Asahi Kasei TPS Elastomer Division will display the latest advancements in state-of-the-art S.O.E. products within APNA’s booth. This group will introduce a new line that aims to offer unparalleled processability, abrasion resistance, enhanced damping properties, and improved adhesiveness by enhancing the features of S.O.E.

Source: Asahi Kasei