Hydrogen buses on Indian roads

 India is taking a giant leap towards green mobility with hydrogen-powered buses set to hit the roads!

The Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) has sanctioned five pilot projects featuring 37 hydrogen-powered vehicles—a mix of fuel cell and internal combustion engine buses—along with nine hydrogen refuelling stations.

These zero-emission buses will operate across 10 key routes, including Delhi, Mumbai, Ahmedabad, Kochi, and Bhubaneswar, covering 300 km on a single refill while emitting only water vapour!

By testing performance under real-world conditions, this project could pave the way for a future where public transport is cleaner, greener, and powered by renewable energy.

Expected to be commissioned in the next 18-24 months, these trials could mark the beginning of hydrogen-based transport in India, reducing fossil fuel dependency and cutting pollution.

source:The Better India

Kaneka Belgium Green Planet Beads Officially Recognized as Microplastic-Free Under Commission Regulation 2023/2055

Kaneka Belgium NV is proud to announce that its Kaneka Biodegradable Polymer Green Planet™ Expanded Beads - type L40N - has been officially excluded from the definition of synthetic polymer microparticles under EU Commission Regulation 2023/2055.

Kaneka Green Planet™ is a 100% biomass-derived biodegradable biopolymer developed by Kaneka, as part of the company’s commitment to providing environmentally friendly solutions that do not rely on petroleum resources. It has shown excellent biodegradability in various environments and decomposes easily in soil and seawater, where it converts into CO2 and water.

Green Planet™ Expanded Beads are the result of integrating Kaneka's long-established Eperan™ particle foam technology with the development of Biodegradable Polymer Green Planet™. This innovative material is used in a wide range of lightweight, shock-absorbing applications, such as cushioning materials for home electric appliances, transportation containers for fresh food, and materials used in the automotive and transport industries. The foam particles can be processed with existing molding equipment, and their characteristics are similar to those of polyolefin foams.

The microplastic-free recognition of Kaneka’s Green Planet™ Expanded Beads follows a comprehensive assessment conducted by Normec OWS, an external verification laboratory. During the verification process, the product's aqueous aerobic biodegradability was evaluated based on CO2 evolution. The results indicated that the material achieves a mineralization level of +60% over a period of 28 days according to OECD test method 301 B. These results confirm that the product fully degrades without leaving any synthetic residues, reinforcing its role as a sustainable alternative in the foam applications industry and contributing to the fight against microplastic pollution.

"We are proud that Kaneka Green Planet™ Expanded Beads L40N have been officially recognized as microplastic-free in line with the highest environmental standards set by EU Regulation 2023/2055. This milestone reflects our dedication to protecting the planet and delivering eco-friendly particle foam solutions without compromising performance and quality. It will enable us to engage further with brand owners, molders, and consumers, and help us work towards a microplastic-free foam industry," said Luc Point, General Manager of Foam & Residential Techs EMEA for Kaneka Belgium.

source: Kaneka

Cesa™ WithStand™ SX Low Haze Antimicrobial Additives Now Available for Clear Plastic Applications

#Avient Corporation, an innovator of materials solutions, today announced the availability of Cesa™ WithStand™ SX Low Haze #Antimicrobial Additives for clear polycarbonate and plexiglass applications. This patent-pending next-generation formula is especially useful for products incorporating recycled resin.

Cesa WithStand SX additives can help preserve visual clarity and aesthetics in finished plastic parts while offering protection against bacterial, mold, and fungal growth. By limiting microbial growth in plastic parts, this additive can reduce unwanted odor, staining, and discoloration, helping the plastic parts maintain a “like new” look for an extended period.

“Our patent-pending formulation solves a long-standing challenge,” said Felipe Reichert, Global Marketing Director for Color, Additives, and Inks at Avient. “Traditional antimicrobials often cause opacity or hazing in #polycarbonate or acrylic. This is especially true in applications using recycled content. Cesa WithStand SX, however, helps maintain clarity and protects against haze.”

Cesa WithStand SX additives can be used in various processes, including extrusion, injection molding, blow molding, and thermoforming. It is currently available in the U.S. and Canada.

source:Avient Corporation

Today's KNOWLEDGE Share : IZOD OR CHARPY NOTCHED IMPACT TEST

Today's KNOWLEDGE Share

During one of my recent BIMS-1 sessions I was asked to comment about surprising results obtained on notched Charpy tests when using “molded-in notches” vs. post-molding machined notches.

1. First of all molded pre-notched bars should be accurately measured since the effective notch radius will likely be somewhat smoothed out by the material shrinkage and warpage. If effective radius is larger, that will already shift the performance to an apparent better impact

2. Machined notches will typically create some damage on the machined surfaces which might further help initiating the brittle failures that we typically want to see in notched samples. This will likely reduce the apparent performance since crack initiation energy is essentially absent due to the machining pre-damage

3.The single most important reason for the discrepancies however is the fact that machining a molded sample means biting through the frozen skin and the outer layers created by the highest shear stresses:

4. In amorphous materials (where the discrepancy should be a bit less severe) the tip of the notch will be located in deeper layers showing a bit more “physical aging” from the process (lower cooling rate).

5. In semi-crystalline grades the discrepancies can be dramatic since one would typically find the machined notch tip located well below the unique morphology of the frozen skin. As a reminder, the frozen skin typically has a totally different mechanical response due to morphology and orientations

Never forget that notched IZOD or CHARPY are not “material properties” but just the quantitative output of a normalized test intrinsically sensitive to any sample or test variation.

source: Vito leo

Lummus Announces First Commercial Award for SAP Technology:

Lummus Technology, a global leader in process technologies and value-driven energy solutions, announced an award from SHCCIG Yulin Chemical Co., Ltd., a subsidiary of the SHCCIG Group, for its superabsorbent polymer (SAP) technology.

This marks the first commercial deployment of Lummus’ SAP technology since it was added to the company’s portfolio in 2023.

“We are honored to be selected by SHCCIG Yulin Chemical and look forward to executing this project with them,” said Romain Lemoine, Chief Business Officer for Polymers and Petrochemicals, Lummus Technology. “Lummus acquired SAP technology to strengthen our position in the high-value polymer market and expand our offering across C3 value chain. The first commercial award for the technology solidifies our entrance into the market and reinforces our strategy to offer customers more integrated technology solutions.”

“Lummus’ technologies and expertise align with our vision for advancing high-value polymer production,” said Xie Wuqiang, Vice President of SHCCIG Yulin. “We look forward to collaborating on this significant project to deliver products that meet market demands and drive value for our customers.”

Lummus’ scope for the award includes the technology license, process design package, technical services and training for a 40 KTA unit at SHCCIG Yulin Chemical’s complex in Shaanxi Province, China.

Superabsorbent polymers are widely used in hygiene, health and other consumer products that are in growing demand in many markets around the world. With SAP technology now part of its portfolio, Lummus offers an expanded range of polymer solutions, which can also be combined with its propylene technologies. This comprehensive offering positions Lummus for growth and strengthens its competitive position in the specialty polymer market.

source:Lummus Technology

Today's KNOWLEDGE Share : Perpetuus Launches Environmental Graphene Masterbatch for Tire Industry:

Today's KNOWLEDGE Share

Perpetuus Advanced Materials introduces the first in its range of proprietary nano engineered graphene-enhanced masterbatch compounds, initially formulated specifically for the field of commercial, passenger and industrial tire manufacturing sectors. The initial offering will be broadened to include other polymer/elastomer masterbatches suitable for industries such as hoses, seals, gaskets, V-belts, conveyor belts, etc.

Using its environmentally friendly, plasma treatment process, Perpetuus graphenes are integrated into the masterbatch. The resultant masterbatch is now available in industrial quantities, allowing tire manufacturers to integrate this breakthrough material into their existing production processes.

Perpetuus’s unique graphene manufacturing process is environmentally safe by avoiding traditional wet acid, solvent, or surfactant treatments, eliminating the need for energy-intensive drying steps and the associated disposal of post-production toxic waste. Instead, the dry plasma process conserves energy, supports sustainable industrial scale production and aligns with the company’s commitment to environmentally responsible manufacturing.

Perpetuus’s graphene masterbatch formulation combines its surface-engineered, plasma-treated graphenes with natural rubber carbon black and other industry known functional fillers, creating an innovative base material for tire and other rubber product manufacturing.

Integrating Perpetuus’s graphene masterbatch into tire tread formulations yields significant performance gains, with road testing showing up to a 40% reduction in tire tread wear, together with improved overall handling and braking, particularly in the wet. The enhanced dispersion and bonding of ingredients in the masterbatch also reduces PM2.5 tire wear particles released during road abrasion. A major step forward in reducing harmful particulates that contribute to air pollution.John Buckland, CEO of Perpetuus Advanced Materials said: “In the 20 years since graphene was discovered, almost every use for the material has been developed in laboratories around the world, however the lack of affordable high quality graphenes has prevented known commercial applications coming to market. Our plasma treated surface engineered graphenes solve this problem which are now available in commercial quantities to all sectors of industry.”

This innovation aligns with key regulatory goals, including the UK’s Clean Air Act 2022 and the EU Clean Air Policy, which secure citizens’ rights to clean air. Moreover, reducing tire-derived particles and chemicals in roadway runoff has potential benefits for aquatic ecosystems and improving water quality of urban drainage systems.

source: Perpetuus Advanced Materials

Today's KNOWLEDGE Share : NatureWorks Launches Engineered 3D Printing Grade for Faster Printing:

 Today's KNOWLEDGE Share

NatureWorks announces the launch of Ingeo 3D300, the company’s newest specially engineered 3D printing grade. Designed for faster printing without compromising quality, Ingeo 3D300 sets a new benchmark in additive manufacturing by offering enhanced efficiency and exceptional performance.

Ingeo 3D300 delivers faster print speeds while maintaining excellent surface finish and detail, significantly reducing print time and overall production costs. Whether used for prototyping, functional parts, or creative designs, this faster printing grade provides unparalleled consistency and accuracy, enabling users to meet demanding deadlines without sacrificing quality.

Key Benefits of Ingeo 3D300:

Fast speed: Printing up to 300 millimeters per second consistently in its neat form, Ingeo 3D300 ensures rapid production without requiring any performance-enhancing additives.

Print clarity: The material’s optimal transparency simplifies coloring and color matching, offering designers and manufacturers greater flexibility in achieving precise color outcomes.

High performance: Ingeo 3D300 delivers minimal stringing and impressive bridging length, even at high printing speeds.

Pure and clean: Free from additives, Ingeo 3D300 provides a cleaner and purer material option, ensuring higher quality prints.

Cost efficiency: Ingeo 3D300 significantly reduces print times and reduces the need for additional compounding, effectively lowering operational costs. This makes it an ideal solution for businesses and printers looking to achieve faster turnaround times and enhanced profitability.

Derived from Annually Renewable Resources:

As with all Ingeo products, Ingeo 3D300 is derived from annually renewable resources and is part of NatureWorks' ongoing commitment to sustainability and environmental stewardship. This new grade allows users to benefit from high-speed, high-quality 3D printing while reducing their carbon footprint.

“Ingeo 3D300 offers an ideal solution to meet the expanding demand for fast, clean, and precise printing. By combining the trusted name of Ingeo with a material specially engineered for speed and precision, we’re enabling manufacturers and designers to push the boundaries of what’s possible for their 3D printing.

Source: NatureWorks /Omnexus.specialchem.com