Turning Plastic Waste Into Carbon Nanotubes

Welsh-based startup TrimTabs has developed an innovative process to upcycle waste polymers into a light, super-strong composite material with applications in the energy storage and transmission, automotive, construction, electronics, medical and aerospace industries.

Trim Tabs leadership team: David Ryan and Professor Alvin Orbaek White

Plastic waste is a growing global challenge, with millions of tonnes disposed of every year. It is perhaps the most totemic waste problem of our age. Despite increasing efforts to improve recycling rates, many types of plastic remain difficult or uneconomical to recycle, demanding innovative solutions.

One company taking a novel approach to this is TrimTabs, a UK-based startup that has developed a process to turn plastic waste into high-value carbon nanotubes. By harnessing the inherent value in discarded plastics, TrimTabs aims to commercialise a new option for the circular economy, addressing the environmental burden of some waste plastics.

The potential applications using carbon nanotubes are vast, from enhancing the performance of lithium-ion batteries to creating stronger, lighter composites for industries like aerospace and automotive. The use of nanotubes in electronic components, solar cells, and water filtration systems also holds significant promise.

The idea behind TrimTabs originated with founder and CEO Prof. Alvin Orbaek White, whose background spans physics, chemistry, mechanical engineering, and chemical engineering. "I was working on a Ph.D. program in Barcelona, where we were making a device that will go to the moon and turn lunar regolith, moon soil, into solar cells and breathing oxygen," Prof. Orbaek White explains. "In order to do that, in space physics, you really need robust, lightweight materials that have long durability. And there was one critical material that was capable of doing this - carbon nanotubes."

Prof. Orbaek White's fascination with carbon nanotubes led him to Rice University, where he was inspired by the late Professor Richard Smalley, a Nobel laureate for his work on buckminsterfullerene (soccer ball-shaped carbon molecule). Under the supervision of Professor Andrew Baron "I learned to make carbon nanotubes and was just totally enamoured by them," Orbaek White recalls. "They're light like ash but have tensile strength 100 times greater than steel. So I thought to myself, this is a magic material."

It was during a meeting with the Welsh Government about opportunities in India that Orbaek White considered moving forward on his ideas about the potential for using waste plastics as a feedstock to produce carbon nanotubes. "I knew instinctively as a chemist that plastics can be a very viable source of carbon for making carbon nanotubes, but I didn't have the data."

source:Trim Tabs

Today's KNOWLEDGE Share:Biodegradable plastic waste into green energy

Today's KNOWLEDGE Share

New Project to Turn Biodegradable Plastic Waste into Green Energy:

This research project involves AIMPLAS, the Plastics Technology Centre, the Research Institute of Water and Environmental Engineering at the Universitat Politècnica de València (IIAMA-UPV), the CALAGUA Group UPV-UV Mixed Unit, and the companies Global Omnium Medioambiente and Fych Technologies.

Recovery of Bioplastics Through Anaerobic Co-digestion:

Recovering biodegradable plastic waste through anaerobic co-digestion treatment with sludge from sewage treatment plants (STP) to obtain a biogas stream that can be used as an energy vector and a digestate for agriculture.

This is the main objective of VALPLAST (Recovery of bioplastics through anaerobic co-digestion at sewage treatment plants), a strategic project in which a consortium of members participates, including AIMPLAS, the Plastics Technology Centre, the CALAGUA Group UPV-UV Mixed Unit (made up of the Research Institute of Water and Environmental Engineering at the Universitat Politècnica de València and the Department of Chemical Engineering at the Universitat de València), and the companies Global Omnium Medioambiente and Fych Technologies.

The project is financed by the Valencian Institute of Competitiveness and Innovation (IVACE+i) within the framework of the European Union’s 2023 strategic cooperation projects. It seeks to implement an alternative to current management of biodegradable plastic packaging waste that is aligned with circular economy principles.

Evaluating Possible Effects of Additives in Plastic Synthesis:

“The main innovation of the project involves understanding that bioplastics are a resource that can be recovered and transformed into green energy,” according to researchers participating in the project.

The aim will therefore be to study, at laboratory and pilot scale, the degradation of different plastics through biological treatment with sludge from municipal sewage treatment plants under anaerobic conditions. The possible effects of the additives used in the synthesis of plastics (conventional and bioplastics) in the anaerobic treatment process and the subsequent quality of the digested sludge will also be evaluated, given that its main application is agricultural use.

Work will also be done on the development and optimization of pilot plant instrumentation and control systems, as well as the analysis of costs and the life cycle. As consortium members highlighted, “They are essential to be able to evaluate the environmental and economic sustainability of the proposed treatment.”

After the recovery process, analysis will be carried out to measure the presence of microplastics in the sludge. For this analysis, the methodology developed by AIMPLAS in previous projects (MICROPLAST and PREVENPLAST) will be used. This method makes it possible to measure these emerging contaminants in both wastewater and the sludge generated at treatment plants.

This process will be used to develop a methodology for energy recovery from bioplastics at STP digesters for better management of these wastes resulting in greater energy recovery.

Also of note is the previous experience that part of this consortium acquired during implementation of and collaboration on other R&D projects related to the goal of this project, such as AVI MICROPLAST and AVI PREVENPLAST.

source:AIMPLAS/omnexus.specialchem.com

Today's KNOWLEDGE Share:Indian-made metro trains in Sydney

Today's KNOWLEDGE Share

Indian-Made Metro Trains Take Sydney by Storm!

Sydney, Australia - In a landmark achievement for Indian engineering, 22 metro trains manufactured in India began service on the Sydney Metro Line! This marks the first time ever that Indian-built coaches are running in a foreign country's rapid transit system.

A Testament to "Make in India".. This development is a significant boost for the Indian government's "Make in India" initiative, which aims to transform India into a global manufacturing hub. The Sydney Metro trains, built by Alstom at their facility in Sri City, Andhra Pradesh, showcase the growing capabilities of the Indian manufacturing sector.

A Moment of National Pride.. This successful project is a source of immense pride for India. It demonstrates the country's ability to produce world-class railway technology that meets international standards. The Sydney Metro trains are not only functional but also fully automated, highlighting India's advancements in automation and engineering.

A Sign of Things to Come? The Sydney Metro project paves the way for future collaborations between India and other countries. It signifies a shift in the global perception of Indian manufacturing, moving away from "Made in China" and "Made in USA" to a new era of "Made in India."

Looking Ahead.. This achievement is a stepping stone for India's ambitions in the global railway sector. With continued focus on technological innovation and quality production, India is poised to become a major player in the international railway market. The success of the Sydney Metro trains is a testament to the talent and dedication of the Indian workforce, and a promising sign for the future of Indian manufacturing.

source:Piyush Goyal

Celanese Corporation Declares Force Majeure on Western Hemisphere Acetic Acid and VAM

Celanese Corporation, a global chemical and specialty materials company, today confirmed a declaration of force majeure and sales control for acetic acid and vinyl acetate monomer (VAM) sold in the Western Hemisphere. This comes as a result of intensifying force majeure conditions and operational failures experienced by multiple suppliers of critical raw materials essential to Celanese’s production of these products. Production challenges caused by these raw material supply disruptions, as well as other operational issues in its Acetyl Chain U.S. gulf coast network, are being assessed and actions are being taken to offset production losses.

The Acetyl Chain business is focused on meeting customers’ needs by utilizing all available network capabilities. The business has invested over the years to strategically enhance the flexibility of its integrated supply chain and will exercise that optionality to minimize customer disruptions. While under sales control, all non-contracted orders will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis.

  

“Right now, we anticipate that our second quarter U.S. gulf coast production of acetic acid and VAM will be negatively impacted by 15 to 20 percent as a result of these temporary challenges which we are still navigating,” said Mark Murray, senior vice president of the Acetyl Chain. “As we work through these challenges, we are prioritizing continuity of supply for our customers by employing the optionality that has been the hallmark of this business. The primary financial impact of these challenges in the second quarter will be due to incremental costs associated with production at higher cost facilities, external sourcing, and logistics in order to minimize impacts to our customers. There may also be a volume impact in the quarter depending on the magnitude of lost production.”   

Celanese regrets the impact this could have on customers and will stay in close communication to minimize the impact of these challenges. At this time, Celanese cannot provide any further details or timing of the full impact to customers or to its financial outlook. Celanese will comment further on the resolution of these temporary challenges and the financial impact when it reports second quarter earnings.

source:Celanese

Coca-Cola India launches 100% rPET bottle in ASSP format

The light ASSP bottles reportedly reduce emissions by 36% compared to traditional virgin PET packaging.

Coca-Cola India has taken another step towards plastic circularity by introducing 100% recycled polyethylene terephthalate (rPET) bottles in an Affordable Small Sparkling Package (ASSP) format. 

The company is offering 250ml ASSP bottles in the Indian state of Odisha.

The initiative, led by Coca-Cola’s bottling partner Hindustan Coca-Cola Beverages, is part of the company’s broader commitment to environmental responsibility and reducing its carbon footprint.  

The new ASSP bottles are designed to be light, which contributes to a 36% reduction in emissions compared to traditional virgin PET packaging.  

Furthermore, the switch to rPET for the ASSP solution is said to result in an overall 66% decrease in carbon footprint when compared to the standard non-ASSP packaging made from virgin PET. 

Coca-Cola India and Southwest Asia Technical Innovation and Supply Chain vice-president Enrique Ackermann said: “Our efforts at expanding rPET in India is a testimony of our commitment to increase the availability of high-quality, food-grade, recycled plastic for consumers in India.  

“With these eco-friendly bottles we seek to drive a circular economy for packaging, reduce waste and carbon emissions, bringing us closer to the World Without Waste goal of making bottles with 50% recycled content by 2030.” 

The Coca-Cola Company has already introduced 100% rPET bottles in more than 40 markets globally. Through its World Without Waste initiative, it aims to collect and recycle a bottle or can for each one it sells by 2030. 

The company plans to make all its packaging recyclable by 2025.

In January this year, Coca-Cola India and Reliance Retail launched a new PET collection and recycling initiative.  

source:packaging-gateway.com

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/