Arkema has decided to increase its PVDF capacity by 15% in North America

 This 15% capacity expansion of Arkema’s PVDF production site in Calvert City, Kentucky, represents an investment of around 20 million US dollars and is aligned with the strategy of the Group to increase its global #PVDF footprint at a pace and with capabilities that match market development. This will support the increasing demand for locally manufactured high-performance resins for lithium-ion batteries as well as the growing semiconductor and cable markets.

#Arkema’s Calvert City plant has a long history in PVDF manufacturing. The 15% capacity expansion will focus on innovative PVDF grades designed to support the manufacture of #electricvehicles (EV) and #energystorage systems with improved sustainability profiles, as well as growth in local manufacturing by customers in other strategic markets. 

Startup is planned for mid-2026, in line with the ramp-up of production at North American gigafactories and significant expansion of local #semiconductor capabilities.

Arkema produces PVDF in all three major regions, with plants in the USA, China, and France, and is a global leader in PVDF supply.

All three sites have recently seen significant investment and capacity increase at a pace and with capabilities that match the evolution of the demand. 

source:Arkema

BRB Introduces Silane for Improved Adhesion and Coupling

BRB International introduces BRB Silanil® 505, a silane with bifunctional properties. Silanes are becoming increasingly complex and versatile in their applications due to their bifunctionality.

BRB Silanil® 505 is an example of this. With two amino groups in its structure, it could serve as an adhesion promoter, and the three ethoxy groups give it coupling agent properties. Due to the ethoxy groups, BRB Silanil® 505 will release ethanol when it autocatalytically hydrolyzes in the presence of moisture.

Enhancing Adhesion to Metal and Glass:

BRB Silanil® 505 can be used in mineral-filled composites to improve mechanical properties and has also proven to be an additive for foundry resins. As an adhesion promoter, due to the presence of two amino groups, it is an additive for improving adhesion to inorganic substrates such as metal or glass.

The bifunctionality is what makes it possible to bind both inorganic and organic polymers by forming a molecular bridge between the two substrates. BRB Silanil® 505 will react as a strong base due to the two amino groups in its structure.

Source: BRB International / polymer-additives.specialchem.com

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