Herbold, Coperion supply PET system in India

European recycling technology vendors Coperion and Herbold Meckesheim design a bottle-to-bottle recycling plant for Indian company Magpet.

Germany-based recycling equipment and technology vendors Coperion and Herbold Meckesheim are collaborating with India-based preform and plastic packaging manufacturer Magpet Polymer Pvt. Ltd. to build a polyethylene terephthalate (PET) bottle-to-bottle recycling facility.

The recycling system being installed encompasses all process steps leading up to extrusion with a ZSK twin screw extruder, including pelletizing and an SSP (solid state polycondensation) reactor.

The PET bottle recycling system is designed for a throughput of 5,500 kilograms (12,125 pounds) per hour and it will deliver recycled-content PET that is approved by the European Food Safety Administration (EFSA) and the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for direct contact with food. The PET pellets also will be brand owner approved, according to the companies.

“Magpet has always pursued the goal to be a first mover when it comes to embracing new technology,” says Devendra Surana, managing director of Magpet, which is a part of the Kolkata, Incia-based Magnum Group. “This PET recycling unit [goes] hand in hand with our efforts to take over business responsibly for a bigger eco purpose. We are excited to partner with Herbold and Coperion to set up this state-of-the-art PET bottle recycling line in India.”

Magpet awarded the contract for the entire system to Coperion and Herbold Meckesheim, operating companies of Indiana-based Hillenbrand, with the vendors saying there were judged to “consistently and reliably deliver high PET recyclate quality.” 

The bottle-to-bottle recycling system first processes the PET bottles into flakes, using Herbold granulators with forced feeding and washing system technologies that process the PET to minimize material loss due to fines formation and thus maximize yield.

Material is the fed into the ZSK recycling twin screw extruder, where the PET regrind is gently melted, intensively dispersed and processed into a homogeneous mass.

Following discharge from the ZSK recycling extruder, the still-warm material stream is transferred via a gear pump to an underwater granulator and an SSP reactor, where it is then condensed and decontaminated.

“In the bottle-to-bottle recycling plant for Magpet, we have united the advantages of Coperion and Herbold Meckesheim technologies,” says Jochen Schofer, head of sales-recycling at Coperion. “All process steps, from mechanical pretreatment to producing finished recyclate, are optimally coordinated to produce PET of high quality—and with maximum energy efficiency.”

source: Coperion/recyclingtoday.com

Ensinger Expands Production Capacity

Plastics processor Ensinger is investing in production capacity expansion for its Composites division. Very soon, a high-performance double belt press will begin operation in Rottenburg-Ergenzingen. The new facility enables the efficient production of thermoplastics composite materials.

Ensinger will use the new facility to mass-produce fibre-reinforced composites in a continuous production process, at temperatures of up to 400°C. By bringing the double belt press on stream, Ensinger is expanding its range of materials for demanding, high-temperature applications.

The Composites product portfolio includes – among other things – continuous fibre-reinforced semipregs and prepregs along with organosheets, i.e. multi-layer, fully impregnated and consolidated fibre composites. The double belt press can be used for processing unidirectional (UD) materials, UD cross ply materials, laminates and sandwich components with a variety of core materials such as foam or honeycomb. Combinations of textile and polymer matrix materials such as carbon, glass, aramid and natural fibres are also viable. Powder coating and film impregnation are available for impregnation purposes.

„By expanding the value added chain and our production capacities, we will be even better placed to meet the worldwide demand for thermoplastic composites. This investment enables us to use grown opportunities in all segments and to strategically position ourselves in the global market for thermoplastics,“ says Daniel Grauer, who is responsible for international business development in Ensinger’s Composites division.

Engineering Applications

The tailor-made, cost-efficient engineering composite solutions from Ensinger, which include flame-retardant materials, are perfect for automotive engineering applications and the aerospace industry, in other words branches of industry where functional, lightweight components are required. The sustainable polymer solutions are particularly suitable for passenger aircraft, drones and UAVs, where they replace thermosetting or metal structural parts and components.

The double belt press from Austrian plant manufacturer Berndorf Band Engineering can be adapted to the specific requirements at any time. Flexible combination of individual components such as heating and cooling modules, and also of a variety of press types, is possible. The modular construction permits the completion of complex work steps on a single production line.

source:https://en.kunststoffe.de/

Today's KNOWLEDGE Share : Glass filled polymer under Compression and Tension

Today's KNOWLEDGE Share

The oriented skin will shrink only 0.1 or 0.2 %, where the transverse core will want to shrink possibly 1%.

The conflict results in a compressive stress in the skin, due to the action of the core, trying to shrink so much more than the skin. Easy, right ?

So the skin is in a fairly safe state of COMPRESSION (failure comes with tension).

Sure ?

Zooming inside the skin, we must realize that the very reason for the shrinkage to be so small in the fiber direction, is because the much higher shrinkage of the polymer is constrained by the glass fibers. So the polymer in between the fibers is desperately trying to shrink 2%, but the glass will keep the polymer under....TENSION !

So the skin is in compression yes, but the polymer, in the skin, is in tension !

source:Vito leo

INEOS Styrolution to Close Its Styrene Monomer Production Site in Sarnia

INEOS Styrolution announces its decision to permanently close its styrene monomer production site in Sarnia, Ontario by June 2026.

No Longer an Economically Viable Operating Asset:

“This difficult business decision to permanently close our Sarnia site was made following a lengthy evaluation process and is based on the economics of the facility within a wider industry context. The long-term prospects for the Sarnia site have worsened to the point that it is no longer an economically viable operating asset,” said the Company’s CEO Steve Harrington.

“The production site in Sarnia is currently shut down due to recent orders from regulatory authorities that forced us to declare force majeure. We are currently assessing what is required to restart the site—a process that could take approximately six months.”

“Our decision to permanently close the Sarnia site by June 2026 is irrespective of the current situation. The economic reality is that we have made significant investments in the Sarnia site for many years to ensure safe and reliable operations. Additional large investments that are unrelated to the potential costs of restarting operations would be necessary in the near future. Such investments would be economically impractical given today’s challenging industry environment,” Harrington continued.

INEOS Styrolution understands the uncertainty the current temporary shutdown has presented for its Sarnia stakeholders and appreciates the patience of its employees, contractors, customers, and partners. Looking ahead, the Company will work closely with all necessary parties to complete an orderly wind-down process and the permanent closure of the site in a safe, responsible, and compliant manner. Aligned with our core value of “Valuing and Respecting People,” transition support will be provided to impacted employees.

The Company is fully committed to the styrenics business and will continue to serve customers across the globe with its leading portfolio of differentiated, high-performing products and innovative solutions that enable customer growth.

Source: INEOS Styrolution/polymer-additives.specialchem.com

LyondellBasell Starts New Polypropylene Production Line at Dalian Site

LyondellBasell (LYB) announces the start-up of an additional production line at the Dalian site of its Advanced Polymer Solutions (APS) business. This further expands its presence in China.

Supplying Mainly to the Automotive Industry:

The new production line will produce a wide range of high-performance, high-quality polypropylene compounds, mainly supplying the automotive industry.

The second production line at the Dalian site will have an annual capacity of 20,000 tonnes. It will double the site's current production capacity. It will enhance the company’s ability to meet the growing market demand.

Marks Progress in Increasing Capacity and Automatic Operation

Established in 2015, the Dalian site can produce 80,000 tonnes of PP compounded products at full capacity with four production lines. It supplies to end applications including bumpers, instrument panels, interior trims, under-the-hood applications or structural parts and body panels for the automotive industry. Currently, the APS business operates five sites in China, with a portfolio of PP compounding, engineered plastics and masterbatch products.

“The start-up of the new production line marks another milestone in our ongoing commitment to China market,” said Rolf van Beeck, vice president of Advanced Polymer Solutions APAC and AfMEI of LyondellBasell. “We see great opportunities to accelerate the growth of our business here, and we keep investing in this market. We will continue to provide best-in-class products and services to our customers while promoting circularity through collaborations and our Circulen portfolio.”

“The new production line marks Dalian site’s progress in increasing capacity and automatic operation, and it can contribute to the long-term scalable development,” said Brian Jiang, director of Advanced Polymer Solutions APAC Manufacturing of LyondellBasell. “I believe this new addition will also motivate our colleagues to actively engage in the operations of two production lines to meet the growing demand of local customers with faster response.”

Source: LyondellBasell/omnexus.specialchem.com

LANXESS Exhibits Ion Exchange Resins for Battery Recycling at The Battery Show Europe

From June 18 to 20, LANXESS at Battery Show Europe showcases its wide range of products for the production of lithium-ion batteries and applications in the area of electromobility. These include numerous key raw materials and material solutions along the entire value chain.

Extensive Product Portfolio for Electromobility Segment:

The portfolio of the specialty chemicals company includes raw materials for cathode materials and electrolyte components, ion exchange resins for extracting ultra-pure metal compounds for cathode materials and battery recycling, coolants and colorants for high-voltage applications as well as casting compounds for protecting electronic battery components. Another key product area features flame retardants for high-performance plastics and non-flammable electrolytes that help to improve the safety of battery cells.

Battery Recycling with Lewatit® Resins

Lewatit® ion exchange resins from LANXESS have long been used in ore processing to extract and refine battery-grade nickel and cobalt and purify all types of lithium concentrate. These resins open up another application in the field of battery production – namely, the recycling of lithium-ion batteries. “We produce selective Lewatit resins that can be used to purify battery-grade metals such as lithium, nickel, cobalt and manganese extracted from black mass. They can then be reused for cathode materials,” explains Dr. Dirk Steinhilber, technical marketing manager in the Liquid Purification Technologies business unit at LANXESS.

Shift of Supply Chains

According to a recent analysis conducted by the Transport & Environment (T&E) agency, which operates throughout Europe, a shift of the supply chains from China to Europe may help to reduce the CO2 emissions released during the production of batteries by 37 percent. If, on top of that, electricity from renewable sources were used, a reduction of up to 60 percent would be possible. Thus, if the European demand for battery cells and components were produced in Europe, an estimated 133 million metric tons of CO2 could be saved by 2030.

LANXESS is a sustainable and reliable supplier of materials for European battery producers. “Thanks to our extensive portfolio of key raw materials and precursors as well as the existing assets in Europe, we can support the development of local value chains,” explains Dr. Harry Zumaqué, head of New Business Development at LANXESS Corporate Development. “Our expertise in process development also allows us to open up new fields in the area of battery recycling and thus actively promote sustainability in cell manufacturing and chemical production.”

LFP: A Sustainable Cathode Active Material

Lithium iron phosphate (LFP) is becoming increasingly widespread as a cathode active material that offers a sustainable alternative to materials containing cobalt and nickel. At the moment, LFP batteries are being produced almost exclusively in China. Western OEMs are therefore in favor of establishing regional value chains with the aim of becoming more independent and securing supply to the markets with sustainable materials of local origin.

To reduce this dependency, LANXESS is now offering customized precursors for LFP synthesis. These include new iron oxide battery grades as well as iron phosphate, which LANXESS intends to start producing. With a production capacity of over 300,000 metric tons annually, the company is one of the world’s leading manufacturers of iron oxides and operates as a major producer sites in Germany and Brazil, for example. “The majority of iron oxide manufactured outside China comes from LANXESS production sites,” says Stefano Bartolucci, Head of the Specialties market segment in the Inorganic Pigments (IPG) business unit. LANXESS currently offers two field-tested iron oxide battery grades under the brand name Bayoxide. In terms of purity, surface properties, crystallinity and particle size, they are produced in a way that enables optimum electrochemical properties for the cathode materials. IPG also intends to establish itself as a supplier of iron phosphate, which is also used in LFP synthesis and for which there is currently only limited capacity.

Flame Retardants for Plastic Components

High-performance plastics used for applications in electric vehicles, for example in battery modules and battery housings, high-voltage connectors and components in the field of charging infrastructure, need particularly effective flame-retardant properties. To ensure this, LANXESS offers numerous phosphorus-based and bromine-based flame retardants for various polymers.

Orange Plastics to Ensure Safety

The signal color orange is used for high-voltage components in electric cars to ensure the safety and protection of mechanics and first responders, whether during maintenance and assembly work or during rescue operations after an accident. The plastics dyed with BAYPLAST Orange TP LXS 51137 offer excellent color stability even at high temperatures.

Other Offerings at the Show

During the fast charging of vehicle batteries, considerable amounts of heat are generated, which must be effectively dissipated to prevent subsequent damage. To achieve this, the battery cells are cooled directly by immersion coolant. Here, LANXESS can leverage its expertise in thermal fluid management with highly suited products: Synthetic fluids such as phosphoric esters are electrically non-conductive and highly flame resistant. These properties are essential to ensure safety at all times during fast charging.

Leverkusen-based LANXESS subsidiary Saltigo produces electrolyte formulations for lithium-ion batteries in cooperation with Guangzhou Tinci Materials Technology Co. (Tinci). The Chinese company, which is one of the world’s leading manufacturers of conducting salts and electrolytes, supplies European cell manufacturers with these ultra-pure formulations.

The production of conducting salts such as lithium hexafluorophosphate (LiPF6) and lithium bis(fluorosulfonyl)imide (LiFSI) for electrolyte formulations requires essential key raw materials. These include anhydrous hydrofluoric acids, phosphorus chemicals, thionyl chloride and fluorosulfuric acid. Here, LANXESS is one of the leading manufacturers and can contribute to set up a local conductive salt production for sustainable cell manufacturing in Europe with its integrated plant network at its Leverkusen site.

source: LANXESS/omnexus.specialchem.com

Today's KNOWLEDGE Share:BMB PBAT

Today's KNOWLEDGE Share

BASF Introduces New Biomass-balanced Polybutylene Adipate Terephthalate (PBAT)

BASF is now offering the packaging industry a way to increase the use of renewable feedstocks. It is expanding its portfolio of certified compostable biopolymers to include a biomass-balanced (BMB) ecoflex®, a polybutylene adipate terephthalate (PBAT). It is frequently used in the compounding of biopolymers.

60% Lower PCF than the Standard Product:

For the new ecoflex® F Blend C1200 BMB, the fossil raw materials that are usually used in the production process are replaced with renewable feedstock at the beginning of the value chain. The renewable feedstock comes from waste and residual biomass. It is attributed to the ecoflex® grade via a mass balance approach which is certified according to REDcert2 and ISCC PLUS. The biomass-balanced ecoflex® not only contributes to reducing the use of fossil resources, but it also offers a 60% lower Product Carbon Footprint (PCF) than the standard ecoflex® F Blend C1200.

Certified compostable products based on PBAT compounds help create a circular economy by supporting the collection and recycling of organic waste. However, in the production of PBAT, it is not yet possible to fully avoid the usage of fossil resources.

With ecoflex® BMB, BASF closes this gap and offers a solution that is organically recyclable at the end of life. In addition, its fossil feedstock is completely replaced with renewable raw materials at the very beginning of the production process. BASF is thus taking another step towards closing the biological loop of circular economy.

Same Quality and Performance as Conventional PBAT:

ecoflex® BMB enables customers in the packaging industry to contribute to the reduction of fossil resource consumption. It also enables them to differentiate their products without compromising on performance and quality, or the need for extra investment into new processing lines.

The BASF PBAT is identical to the conventional grade in properties, quality, and certification. As a result, customers do not need to re-qualify their applications made of ecoflex® BMB, reformulate the compounds or adapt their existing manufacturing processes. They can rely on the same performance to which they are accustomed and benefit from a drop-in solution.

“As a pioneer of biopolymers, we are continuously striving to support our customers in the transition to a circular economy with renewable resources,” says Marcel Philipp Barth, head of global business management Biopolymers at BASF. “Our ecoflex® BMB, an industry-first on the global biopolymers market, advances the sustainability efforts in the packaging industry by reducing the use of fossil resources, decreasing greenhouse gas emissions, and driving the use of renewable feedstock derived from organic waste and residual biomass. In this way, we help our customers make informed decisions about product design, thus shaping a more circular packaging value chain.”

Biomass Balance Approach:

In the biomass balance approach, part of the fossil feedstocks in the first steps of the manufacturing process is replaced by waste-based renewable resources. The renewable amount is then attributed to specific products at the end of the manufacturing process by means of a third-party certified method.

BASF has established a chain of custody from the renewable feedstock it uses through to the final product. An independent certification confirms that BASF has replaced the required quantities of fossil feedstock for the biomass balanced product that customers buy with renewable feedstock according to the REDcert2 and ISCC PLUS requirements.

source: BASF

source: BASF/omnexus.specialchem.com