Today's KNOWLEDGE Share :Taiwan Mitsui Chemicals & NPC Launch Biomass-based Plastic Initiative

Today's KNOWLEDGE Share

Nan Ya Plastics and Taiwan Mitsui Chemicals Launch Market Development Efforts Focused on Biomass-Based Plastic Products

Today announced that they have embarked on efforts to develop the market for biomass-based plastic products. Under this initiative, NPC will procure biomass-based acetone produced by Mitsui Chemicals and use it to manufacture biomass-derived bisphenol A (BPA) in Taiwan.

1. Efforts to develop the market for biomass-feedstock-based plastics

In August 2024, Taiwan Mitsui Chemicals acquired certification under the International Sustainability and Carbon Certification (ISCC) PLUS system for certifying sustainable products. Using the mass balance system*1 based on this certification, the company began supplying the Taiwanese market with biomass-derived materials in January 2025.

 

Having also acquired ISCC PLUS certification in September 2024, leading Taiwanese materials manufacturer NPC will procure biomass feedstocks from Taiwan Mitsui Chemicals to manufacture biomass-derived BPA under this mass balance system. NPC then intends to start developing biomass plastics such as epoxy and polycarbonate resins using this BPA.

 

Biomass-based acetone, BPA and plastics can easily be used to replace existing products, because they all have the same physical properties as conventional petroleum-derived chemicals and plastics. As such, biomass-derived materials help to reduce greenhouse gas emissions throughout the product life cycle and thereby assist in achieving carbon neutrality.

2. Future developments

Taiwan Mitsui Chemicals has kicked off the initiative between the two companies in January 2025 with the supply of biomass-based acetone produced under the mass balance system. Going forward, Taiwan Mitsui Chemicals and NPC aim to leverage these efforts to expand sales of products that support the shift toward biomass-based plastics, and intend to go about this by developing and making eco-friendly products throughout the supply chain.

source:Mitsui Chemicals

Today's KNOWLEDGE Share : Covestro Introduces Anti-counterfeiting Polymer Substrate for Currency Printing

Today's KNOWLEDGE Share

Covestro unveils Autentium®: an innovative step towards the future of currency printing

The first polymer banknotes made their debut in the late 1980s. They reformed cash transactions with their modern design, allowing for new security features that were impossible with paper. Over time, countries such as Australia, Canada, and the United Kingdom have fully transitioned to polymer banknotes as their primary currency medium. Despite this progress, most banknotes worldwide are still made from paper and cotton composites, materials with inherent limitations such as a comparable short lifecycle and limited recyclability.

In response to the growing demand for sustainable solutions in currency printing, Covestro is introducing Autentium®, an innovative polymeric printing substrate. Designed exclusively for currency printing applications like banknotes, Autentium® combines cutting-edge anti-counterfeiting technology with a recyclable mono-material design.

"The launch of Autentium® represents a significant breakthrough in currency printing, offering an innovative, recyclable polymeric substrate that excels in printability, durability and is more sustainable," says Daniel Hentschel, Global Segment Manager for ID & Security Printing at Covestro.

Key Features of Autentium® include:

Exceptional printability: It supports secure printing techniques such as intaglio and offset, enabling embossed structures and therefore tactile security features that differ from traditional paper and existing polymer substrates.

No coatings or primers needed: Its secondary properties as a hot-melt adhesive contribute to superior ink adhesion without requiring additional primers or coatings, streamlining the printing process and improving durability.

Water & Stain Resistance: The polymer absorbs only minimal moisture, which contributes to a low static charge, while at the same time being resistant to contamination.

Advanced laser engraveability: It allows precise micro-engravings, providing advanced anti-counterfeiting measures and enhancing currency security.

 

As a single-polymer solution, Autentium® is recyclable, addressing the demand for sustainable materials in banknote production. Its high tear propagation resistance and excellent ink adhesion contribute to extend the lifespan of printed currency and can help reducing the environmental impact and conserving resources.

Furthermore, its durable composition can translate into long-term costs savings by minimizing replacements, making it an ideal choice for governments and the public sector that prioritize security and environmental responsibility.

source:Covestro

Planet Friendly Plastics:Latest Advancements Conference in March 12-13 in Las Vegas

COST; a Roadblock to Renewable Plastics Growth-Misunderstood & DeMystified

Since the society really cares for the "Climate/Environment/Sustainability", we need to transition quickly to “BioBased” and “Molecular Recyling Technologies” that lead to Virgin Plastics.Reason for a slow adoption of Green-Plastics is the Cost.

Coca-Cola’s CEO James Quincey: "I think we're in danger of exaggerating the impact of the 25% increase in the aluminum price relative to the total system," he said on the company's earnings call-FEB 2025. "It's not insignificant, but it's not going to radically change a multibillion dollar U.S. business, and packaging is only a small component of the total cost structure." Thank you, James Quincey, for supporting our long-held opinion! Note this is on top of 25% food inflation over the last 3 years in the US where economy is still red-hot.

While at SPE-Polyolefins, February 18th, we presented our case that the cost to the Brand-Owners and the consumers is a Non-Issue. For example, a pack of shampoo bottles at Costco is selling for $33.99. If the cost of Green-PE vs Fossil-PE packaging is only $0.02-0.05 more, is it really going to derail the consumer ?Brand_owners such as Procter & Gamblecan absorb the “Procurement Cost” to start withand then pass-on 2-5 cents to the consumer if the supply-chain decides not to take a financial hit.

Our March 12-13 conference will elaborate on “State-of-the-NonFossil Plastic Industry” from a Technological-Commercial-Business points of view.

To REGISTER, contact InnoPlast at 973-801-6212 or CLICK the link:

https://innoplastsolutions.com/conference/planet-friendly-plastics/

Today's KNOWLEDGE Share :3D PRINTING ATARU RESIN

Today's KNOWLEDGE Share

𝗡𝗮𝗻𝗼 𝗗𝗶𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘀𝗶𝗼𝗻’𝘀 𝗔𝘁𝗮𝗿𝘂™ 𝗿𝗲𝘀𝗶𝗻? ✴️

Developed by the company’s R&D team, this proprietary material is designed for 𝗗𝗟𝗣 and 𝗦𝗟𝗔 3D printers, delivering several unique advantages:

ATARU is engineered for exceptional high temperature resistance and durability. ATARU also delivers excellent surface quality along with incredibly low dielectric loss.

🔷 High thermal performance and durability

🔷 High impact strength

🔷 Ultra-low loss

🔷 Excellent surface quality

🔷 Fast processing

Ideal for the following Applications:

🔷 Injection Molding

🔷 Molding under high pressure & temperature (carbon fiber molding)

🔷 Tooling & fixtures

🔷 Serial production (high speed curing time)

🔷 Radio frequency RF (antenna)

These attributes make Ataru™ a versatile material for industries such as electronics, aerospace, and automotive, where high-performance and reliability are critical.

Download the Ataru™ datasheet - https://lnkd.in/e5W3gT3k

source: Nano Dimension/3D Alliances

Today's KNOWLEDGE Share :LG Chem to Commercially Produce 100% Plant-based Acrylic Acid

Today's KNOWLEDGE Share

LG Chem Accelerates Commercial Production of 100% Plant-Based Acrylic Acid

LG Chem is entering the global market with eco-friendly raw materials derived from vegetable oils. The company announced on the 13th Feb 2025 that it will commence the production of bio-acrylic acid in the second quarter of this year. Production capacity shall ramp up to 100 metric tons (MT) of prototype annually.

 

Bio-acrylic acid can be applied to various materials, including cosmetic ingredients that directly contact the skin, super absorbent polymers (SAP) for diapers, adhesives for electronics and vehicles, coating materials, and eco-friendly paints. Although attempts to develop bio-acrylic acid technology have been made worldwide, none have reached commercialization until now.

 

LG Chem's bio-acrylic acid is made from 3-Hydroxypropionic acid (3HP), produced by microbial fermentation of plant-based raw materials. The product retains the same molecular structure and properties as conventional acrylic acid while being entirely plant-based.

 

LG Chem developed its 3HP strain and fermentation technology in-house, earning the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Certified Biobased Product label, confirming it as 100% bio-based last year.

 

Starting with prototype production, the company plans to actively promote the product to sustainability-driven companies in North America and Europe. The cosmetics industry, which increasingly demands plant-based and naturally derived ingredients without compromising functionality, is expected to be a key market for bio-acrylic acid.

 

LG Chem plans to operate a customized bio-acrylic acid production system that can respond immediately to customer needs and is considering expanding production facilities if market demand increases.

 

source:LG Chem

Today's KNOWLEDGE Share : Researchers Develop 2D Polymer with Conducting Properties Similar to Metal

Today's KNOWLEDGE Share

SCIENTISTS SYNTHESIZE 2D POLYANILINE CRYSTAL WITH UNIQUE METALLIC OUT-OF-PLANE CONDUCTIVITY

In a recent study published in Nature, an international team of researchers has developed a groundbreaking two-dimensional conducting polymer polyaniline (2DPANI) that exhibits exceptional electrical conductivity and metallic charge transport behavior. Unlike conventional conducting polymers, which show strong conduction along polymer chains but suffer from poor interchain/interlayer conductivity, 2DPANI overcomes these limitations with its unique crystal structure, enabling efficient electron flow both within and across its layers.

Conducting polymers such as polyaniline, polythiophene, and polypyrrole are renowned for their excellent electrical conductivity and have emerged as promising low-cost, lightweight, and flexible alternatives to traditional semiconductors and metals. The significance of these materials was cemented in 2000 when the Nobel Prize in Chemistry was awarded to Alan J. Heeger, Alan G. MacDiarmid, and Hideki Shirakawa for their groundbreaking discovery and development of conductive polymers. This recognition highlighted the transformative potential of polymers in modern science and technology. Despite significant progress, these materials mainly conduct electrons along their polymer chains. However, conductivity between the polymer strands or layers remains limited because the molecules don't connect well and the electronic interactions are weak.

To address this long-standing challenge, an international research team from TU Dresden and the Max Planck Institute of Microstructure Physics (Halle, Germany), in collaboration with the Ningbo Institute of Materials Technology and Engineering of the Chinese Academy of Sciences (China), CIC nanoGUNE BRTA (Spain), and others, has synthesized and characterized a multilayer-stacked two-dimensional polyaniline (2DPANI) crystal through the use of on-water surface chemistry. 2D polymerization has now been achieved for individual monomers, e.g., aniline, which typically undergoes chain-growth oxidative polymerization to form polyaniline. The resulting 2DPANI material exhibits exceptional conductivity not only within its planes but also, remarkably, across its layers, demonstrating unique metallic out-of-plane (i.e. across layers) charge transport. The findings, published in Nature under the title “Two-dimensional polyaniline crystal with metallic out-of-plane conductivity,” represent a significant advancement in conducting polymer research.

This breakthrough opens the door to potentially achieving three-dimensional metallic conductivity in metal-free organic and polymer materials, offering exciting new prospects for applications in electronics, electromagnetic shielding, sensors and other devices that leverage the unique properties of organic 2D crystal materials.

Source: Technische Universität Dresden

Today's KNOWLEDGE Share : ARAMINOLIC RESIN

Today's KNOWLEDGE Share 

ARAMINOLIC RESIN:

“This thermosetting araminolic resin is designed to replace phenol-formaldehyde resins currently used in adhesives and composites. Its performance is the same, with interesting properties in terms of moisture resistance, rigidity and mechanical strength.

In order to prepare for a revolution in composite materials, MICHELIN ResiCare teams are currently developing new resins without SVHC, without styrene, formaldehyde, bisphenols nor isocyanates.

Michelin Araminolic resin can be 100% biobased. 

These resins are all plug-and-play with the key composite processes:

Compression molding

Contact lamination

Infusion molding

Molding of pre-impregnated

The intrinsic thermal, fire and mecanical resistance properties of Michelin araminolic resin makes it possible to meet the safety and normative requirements of many areas (transportation, automotive, aeronautics, space and defense).

In addition, the possibility of formulating according to a specification makes it possible to meet your requirements.

Made from beet sucrose and wheat or maize fructose, this biosourced resin has been developed to overcome the toxicity of phenol-formaldehyde resins, which are expensive to manufacture, dependent on Asia and have no existing ecosystem in Europe, while offering an alternative to fossil fuels.

Michelin, we used a phenolic polymer for tyres, resorcinol formaldehyde, but as it is petroleum-based and carcinogenic, we wanted to replace this molecule using retrosynthesis to break down the polymer into two monomers. The molecule discovered is non-toxic and is also found in caramel, honey and certain fruits. As it is similar to an aromatic aldehyde (a natural flavouring), we looked for another name for it and came up with Araminolic“, explains David Doisneau, Technical Director at Resicare, which developed the resin molecules in collaboration with IFP Energies nouvelles (IFPEN), a leading player in research in the fields of energy, transport and the environment. We now need to work on second-generation sugars so that, in a second phase, we can reversibilise this resin and make it recyclable, which is not yet the case,” says Laurent Lemonnier. “We need to create a specific ecosystem with research organisations in order to have a thorough understanding of the resin. We have already started testing the resin at Michelin,”

Two industrial projects are currently under way, with the aim of launching the product in 2026 and making the resin available on an industrial scale from 2027. “We are waiting for the final round of funding at the end of 2025 to build the manufacturing site for the 5HMF molecule, derived from fructose. It should be located on the Osiris chemical platform at Péage de Roussillon, near Valence, in France. The second unit should be located close to a sugar supply source.

source:Michelin ResiCare