Today's KNOWLEDGE Share :Floor Tiles with Cellulose Microfiber

Today's KNOWLEDGE Share

Mitsui Chemicals & Partners Create Floor Tiles Comprising of a Cellulose Microfiber

The three partners have created floor tiles made of Transwood™ with Prasus™ a fully bio-based composite that combines a cellulose microfiber compound with Prasus™ a mass-balanced bio-polypropylene resin produced by Prime Polymer.

New Building Material Selected for use in Flooring of an Event Facility

The new building material was selected for use in the flooring of an event facility for Expo 2025 Osaka, Kansai, Japan (Expo 2025): the EXPO National Day Hall, which has been designed by Akihisa Hirata Office, among others.Mitsui Chemicals has decided to provide sponsorship for Expo 2025 in the form of supplying the 20,000 floor tiles each measuring 15 centimeters square required for the facility.

In providing these biomass-based floor tiles,Mitsui Chemicals aims to express its endorsement of the theme of Expo 2025,Designing Future Society for Our Lives,and help to ensure that the event demonstrates consideration for the achievement of carbon neutrality and a circular economy.

The Ministry of the Environment’s Roadmap for Bioplastics Introduction defines the mass balance approach as A method in which, during the process of turning raw materials into final products and the distribution process, raw materials with certain properties (e.g., bio-based raw materials) are mixed with raw materials that do not have the properties (e.g., fossil-based raw materials); thus, the properties are assigned to a portion of the product according to the amount of input of the raw materials with those properties.

The physical properties of plastics and chemical products made under the mass balance method do not differ from their fossil-derived counterparts. The mass balance method also allows for the use of biomass in the production of materials where it has traditionally been difficult. Therefore, the mass balance method is a significant means of increasing the adoption of biomass in society and realizing a carbon-neutral society. As of October 2024, around 40 products across the Mitsui Chemicals Group have already switched to the use of biomass resources based on the mass balance approach.

BePLAYER™

Under BePLAYER™, they will help the transition to a bio-based society to solve the problem of climate change. They will further the development of bio-based products via the mass balance and segregation methods alike, along with other products and technologies contributing to carbon neutrality, in an effort to substantially assist in reducing society’s greenhouse gas emissions.

Prasus®

Prasus™ is the brand name for Prime Polymer’s eco-friendly and sustainable polyethylene and polypropylene products made with a new feedstock based on the mass balance approach.

Source: Mitsui Chemicals/polymer-additives.specialchem.com

Today's KNOWLEDGE Share : Issues with Color Masterbatches in Injection Molding

Today's KNOWLEDGE Share

Understanding Common Issues with Color Masterbatches in Injection Molding:

The use of color masterbatches is prevalent in injection molding. However, over the years, I have frequently encountered several issues that typically result in surface defects on the molded parts.

These issues can be categorized into three main scenarios:

1. Incompatible Carrier Materials

Sometimes, masterbatches (e.g., with 50% pigment and 50% carrier) use a high-flow carrier like LLDPE, even when the host polymer to be colored is not LLDPE-based.

Issue: The incompatible high-flow carrier is pushed to the surface by hydrodynamic forces. For instance, small amounts of LLDPE in a nylon part can readily create blisters or delamination.

2. Neglecting to Dry the Masterbatch

In nylon or polyester parts, even when the masterbatch uses the correct carrier (same as the host matrix to be colored), users often neglect to dry the masterbatch, drying only the bulk resin to be molded.

Issue: Users may assume that the small amount of masterbatch added doesn’t need drying. However, a very wet, small amount of carrier can cause surface blooming, silver streaks, and potentially significant hydrolytic degradation issues in sensitive materials like PET or PBT.

3. Improper Dispersion of Masterbatch

Even when the masterbatch uses the correct carrier and is properly dried before feeding into the hopper, part issues can still arise.

Issue: The problem often stems from less than perfect dispersion of the masterbatch in the injection molding machine screw. These screws are not always ideally designed and may lack the ability to fully disperse the pigment, leading to color issues due to inhomogeneous color concentrate.

Understanding and addressing these common issues can significantly improve the quality of injection molded parts. Ensuring compatibility of carriers, proper drying of materials, and optimal dispersion techniques are crucial steps in achieving defect-free products.

source:Vito leo

#plastics #injectionmolding #blisters #masterbatches #dispersion #moldedparts

Avantium and SCGC to Accelerate the Market Adoption for FDCA and PEF in Asia

Avantium and SCGC are long-term strategic partners. SCGC, through SENFI Ventures, is a cornerstone investor in Avantium and furthermore collaborates with Avantium in CO2-based polymers technology. Building on their strategic intent letter from January 2024, the companies have decided to take the next step in their collaboration and accelerate the market adoption for FDCA and PEF in Asia. This is backed by Avantium’s achievement in securing global industrial-scale capacity reservations and Flagship Plant offtake agreements in key markets such as rigid packaging and apparel. A joint team will work with local and global brands to validate the market potential, further develop FDCA and PEF applications, and enhance volume commitments across the region to underpin future large-scale production in Asia.

Dr. Suracha Udomsak, Chief Operations and Innovation Officer at SCGC, stated: “One of our aspirations is to become a leader in sustainability and green innovation. Avantium's expertise in green business technology, along with SCGC’s presence in Asia, creates a solid basis for our collaboration. This initiative aligns with our strategy to grow our eco-friendly business and addresses the rapidly increasing demand for sustainable plastics in the Asian market.”

Tom van Aken, Chief Executive Officer of Avantium, added: “We are delighted to deepen our partnership with SCGC, a key partner that shares our commitment to sustainability and innovation. SCGC’s commitment to work with Avantium to accelerate the market adoption of FDCA and PEF in Asia through joint market studies marks an important development in our global commercialization strategy.”

source:Avantium

Today's KNOWLEDGE Share : OptiCut™ WashOff linerless label to promote plastic packaging reuse

Today's KNOWLEDGE Share

UPM Raflatac launches OptiCut™ WashOff linerless label to promote plastic packaging reuse

UPM Raflatac, a global supplier of sustainable labeling solutions, is expanding its direct thermal (DT) linerless label offering with the launch of its new OptiCut™ WashOff solution. The new linerless label is specifically designed for returnable and reusable plastic food containers, including PP, HDPE and PET crates used in food logistics. Available to customers now, the label launch meets the need for innovative plastic packaging solutions, driven by evolving regulations and consumer demand.

The OptiCut WashOff label, which is compatible with most direct thermal printers and weighing scales, offers excellent washability and easy, adhesive residue-free separation for both industrial processes and home washing machines.

While ensuring excellent washability, the OptiCut WashOff solution meets end-use requirements by offering the same benefits as the entire OptiCut linerless portfolio including:

-         Excellent adhesion with a clean cut to a variety of surfaces.

-         Minimized service spend.

-         Increased efficiency with a longer maintenance cycle.

-         Flexibility to print and cut to any length.

In addition, all products in the UPM Raflatac OptiCut linerless portfolio are CarbonNeutral® certified by Climate Impact Partners in accordance with The CarbonNeutral Protocol. While UPM Raflatac is working to reduce internal emissions, the unavoidable greenhouse gas emissions from this product have been compensated for through the purchase of high quality carbon credits. This means that partners can promote their printed labels as CarbonNeutral® certified.

“As retailers, HORECA and logistics companies are increasingly shifting towards returnable and reusable containers, we are thrilled to introduce our new wash-off solution for direct thermal printing,” comments Andoni Rodriguez, Director, Business Segment Logistics, Retail, Office & Linerless, UPM Raflatac. “With the largest global distribution network for direct thermal linerless products, we are proud to now offer our partners the OptiCut WashOff label. This solution demonstrates our commitment to innovation and to supporting our customers on their sustainability journey.”

source:UPM Raflatac

Today's KNOWLEDGE Share : biobased content of polycarbonate diols

Today's KNOWLEDGE Share

MCG increases biomass content of polycarbonate diols

Mitsubishi Chemical Group (MCG) has introduced grades of its Benebiol biomass-based polycarbonate diols that have a higher biomass content. The product is primarily used in the manufacture of polyurethane resins for coatings in sectors such as automotive, furniture and outdoor products. It is also used in the production of artificial leather.

Existing Benebiol grades had a bio-based content of 20-50%, but the new HSS and NLDS grades have a biomass content in excess of 80%. Some of its previous petroleum-derived grades have also been converted to biomass, as the NLS grades. This, the company said, allows it to offer bio-based grades of all its Benebiol products.

The shift to biomass-based raw materials while maintaining high-quality functions will contribute to our customers’ efforts to achieve sustainable manufacturing.

source:MCG/www.utech-polyurethane.com

Today's KNOWLEDGE Share : Researchers Create Deployable Silk Fibers for Adhering and Lifting Objects

Today's KNOWLEDGE Share

The stream of liquid silk quickly turns to a strong fiber that sticks to and lifts objects

These sticky fibers, created at the Tufts University Silklab, come from silk moth cocoons, which are boiled in solution and broken down into their building block proteins called fibroin.The silk fibroin solution can be extruded through narrow bore needles to form a stream that, with the right additives, solidifies into a fiber when exposed to air. 

Nature is the original inspiration for deploying fibers of silk into tethers, webs, and cocoons. Spiders, ants, wasps, bees, butterflies, moths, beetles, and even flies can produce silk at some point in their lifecycle.Nature also inspired the Silklab to pioneer the use of silk fibroin to make powerful glues that can work underwater, printable sensors that can be applied to virtually any surface, edible coatings that can extend the shelf life of produce,a light collecting material that could significantly enhance the efficiency of solar cells, and more sustainable microchip manufacturing methods.

However, while they made significant progress with silkbased materials, the researchers had yet to replicate the mastery of spiders, which can control the stiffness, elasticity, adhesive properties of the threads they spin. 

A breakthrough came about purely by accident.Working on a project making extremely strong adhesives using silk fibroin, and while I was cleaning my glassware with acetone, I noticed a web-like material forming on the bottom of the glass.

The accidental discovery overcame several engineering challenges to replicating spider threads. Silk fibroin solutions can slowly form a semi-solid hydrogel over a period of hours when exposed to organic solvents like ethanol or acetone, but the presence of dopamine, which is used in making the adhesives, allowed the solidification process to occur almost immediately. When the organic solvent wash was mixed in quickly, the silk solution rapidly created fibers with high tensile strength and stickiness.

The next step was to spin the fibers in air.The researchers added dopamine to the silk fibroin solution, which appeared to accelerate the transition from liquid to solid by pulling water away from the silk. When shot through a coaxial needle, a thin stream of the silk solution is surrounded by a layer of acetone which triggers the solidification. The acetone evaporates in mid-air, leaving a fiber attached to any object it contacts. The researchers enhanced the silk fibroin-dopamine solution with chitosan, a derivative of insect exoskeletons that gave the fibers up to 200 times greater tensile strength, and borate buffer, which increased their adhesiveness about 18-fold.

The diameter of the fibers could be varied between that of a human hair to about half a millimeter, depending on the bore of the needle.

The device can shoot fibers that can pick up objects over 80 times their own weight under various conditions.

Natural spider silk is still about 1000 times stronger than the man-made fibers in this study. But with a little added imagination and engineering, the innovation will continue to improve and pave the way for a variety of technological applications. 

“As scientists and engineers, we navigate the boundary between imagination and practice. That’s where all the magic happens,” said Fiorenzo Omenetto, Frank C. Doble Professor of Engineering at Tufts University and director of the Silklab. “We can be inspired by nature. We can be inspired by comics and science fiction. In this case, we wanted to reverse engineer our silk material to behave the way nature originally designed it, and comic book writers imagined it.”

source:Tufts University

Today's KNOWLEDGE Share : Plastic-Degrading Microbes in Mangrove Soil

Today's KNOWLEDGE Share

Researchers Identify Plastic-Degrading Microbes in Mangrove Soil

An international team of researchers has developed a novel method to select bacteria from mangrove soils capable of transforming plastic. This breakthrough offers a potential new approach to tackling plastic waste pollution. By analyzing the effects of polyethylene terephthalate (PET) particles and seawater intrusion on the microbiome of mangrove soil, the team was able to cultivate a collection of PET-degrading microbes.

With plastic pollution reaching alarming levels globally, even in remote ocean environments, ecosystems like mangroves—crucial biodiversity hotspots—are under threat from various stressors, including plastic contamination.

“Mangrove ecosystems are exposed to significant plastic pollution, and their soils harbor diverse microbial communities, including those with potential plastic-degrading capabilities,” explained Diego Javier Jiménez Avella, a research scientist from the Microbial EcoGenomics and Biotechnology Laboratory (MEGBLab) at KAUST, who led the study. “We hypothesized that these soils could be a valuable source of plastic-degrading microbes, although microbial diversity and metabolic activity in mangrove soils remain largely unstudied.”

The research revealed the presence of a novel bacterial genus, Mangrovimarina plasticivorans, which carries genes encoding enzymes known as monohydroxyethyl terephthalate hydrolases—capable of breaking down PET byproducts. This is the first time a bacterial consortium from mangrove soil has been shown to transform a fossil-fuel-based plastic like PET.

"Engineering microbiomes to effectively degrade plastics is a promising yet complex task," Jiménez said. "While we are excited about these findings, scaling the approach and applying it in natural environments pose significant challenges."

This innovative approach to microbial inoculation and enzyme cocktail design could be extended to a variety of ecosystems, potentially uncovering more novel plastic-degrading microbes or enzymes. The research team, which began their collaboration in 2021, includes experts from Colombia, Brazil, the U.S., Germany, Australia, the U.K., and Saudi Arabia. 

“These findings represent a significant step toward addressing plastic pollution, but further research and development—such as optimization and scalability—are needed before they can be practically applied on a large scale,” said Alexandre S. Rosado, the principal investigator at KAUST and leader of the MEGBLab.

The team continues to explore the plastic-degrading potential of microbial communities from Red Sea mangroves, with the goal of advancing these early laboratory results into effective solutions for real-world applications.

source:King Abdullah University of Science and Technology/wkaiglobal.com