Covestro Capacity for specialty films in Thailand expanded

With the mechanical completion of new production lines at the Map Ta Phut Industrial Park in Thailand, Covestro has further increased its global capacity for polycarbonate (PC) specialty films. The investment is in the higher double-digit million Euro range, the project has been completed on schedule. A total of around 40 new jobs will be created.

"The new production facilities are equipped with state-of-the technology to enable an efficient production and thereby reduce our CO2 emissions," says Thorsten Dreier, Chief Technology Officer of Covestro. “With the expanded capacity, we can meet our customers' growing demand for innovative specialty films, especially in medical technology, in the region Asia-Pacific and strengthen our Solutions & Specialties segment."

Covestro has been operating a production facility for Specialty Films in Thailand since 2007. The range comprises polycarbonate films from the Makrofol® range and Bayfol® products made from polycarbonate blends. These high-performance specialty films are used in many applications across multiple industries, such as healthcare, mobility and Identification Documents.

“The new production facilities are important to us because it enables faster time to market and at the same time expands our market access in Asia-Pacific.” says Aukje Doornbos, Global Head of the Specialty Films business entity. “With market-focused innovations and a stronger customer orientation we want to drive growth for Covestro.”

Since 2022, the Map Ta Phut site is ISCC PLUS certified, enabling it to manufacture and supply mass-balanced products. With the mass balance approach, bio-based or recycled raw materials are fed in at an early stage of raw material extraction and mathematically allocated to the finished products. This saves fossil raw materials and reduces CO2 emissions, while the quality of the mass-balanced products remains identical to that of purely fossil-based products. With this drop-in solution, manufacturers can continue to use their proven formulations, equipment, and processes.

ISCC is an internationally recognized sustainability certification for biomass and bioenergy. The standard covers all stages of the value chain and is used worldwide. Customers can use these products in their established processes and apply them to meet their sustainability goals. In addition, Covestro already offers a range of films made partly with plant-based raw materials or partly from recycled plastics.

source:Covestro

#polymers #polycarbonate #specialtyfilms

Today's KNOWLEDGE Share : To understand brittle failure

Today's KNOWLEDGE Share

Time for some really basic "LEFM" (linear elastic fracture mechanics).

Fracture Mechanics essentially assumes all materials or parts do contain "defects".

It is a reasonable assumption if you think about dust and all sorts of contaminants (including fillers with poor surface treatments) present in our polymer plants, compounding facilities and molding shops.

If a defect is small enough, a tensile stress (steady or dynamic) will trigger a relatively stable and slow crack growth rate.

This is captured by the exponent "m", i.e. the slope of the linear region II of the graph shown above.

When the crack "a" reaches some critical length, the stress intensity factor K reaches the value K1c where the crack enters the unstable crack growth region, quickly leading to part failure.

Some polymers are good because the stable crack growth is really slow (low value of "m"), some polymers are good because they survive despite the presence of a large crack (high K1c value).

The overall performance of a polymer, for instance under a fatigue test, is a combination of these two fundamental characteristics.

It is time to brush-up your knowledge about polymer mechanical performance and failure mechanisms.

source:Vito leo

DeRucci unveils first AI mattress series with Sanitized® technology in China

Sanitized AG and DeRucci, China’s leading luxury sleep solutions brand, are proud to announce an exciting milestone in their exclusive partnership. Since 2018, SANITIZED has been the trusted provider of foam mattress treatments for DeRucci in the Chinese market. Now, DeRucci is set to revolutionize the sleep industry with the launch of its first AI mattress series, treated with Sanitized® technology, in December 2024.

The new AI mattress series incorporates Sanitized®’s innovative technology, offering enhanced hygiene management features. With antibacterial, antifungal, and anti-dust mite protection, this advanced treatment supports long-lasting cleanliness and a more comfortable sleep environment. This focus on hygiene reflects DeRucci’s commitment to providing advanced and health-conscious sleep solutions to its customers.

A partnership built on innovation and excellence:

Since the partnership began in 2018, Sanitized AG and DeRucci have worked closely to integrate Sanitized®’s antimicrobial expertise into DeRucci’s premium mattress products. This latest AI mattress series represents the pinnacle of this collaboration, blending state-of-the-art artificial intelligence with unparalleled hygienic technology to create a sleep experience that prioritizes both comfort and well-being.

Setting a new standard for sleep:

With the launch of the AI mattress series, DeRucci reinforces its position as a pioneer in the sleep industry. The incorporation of Sanitized® technology not only supports a cleaner sleeping environment but also aligns with the growing demand for solutions that prioritize health and safety in everyday products.

source:polymerupdate.com

BASF’s Performance Materials division plants run entirely on renewable electricity in Europe as of 2025

BASF’s Performance Materials division completely switched all its European sites to renewable electricity. “As BASF, we want to enable our customers green transformation, and we believe it starts with us. This is our ambition and the goal of #OurPlasticsJourney,” said Martin Jung, President of BASF’s Performance Materials division. “The use of electricity from renewable sources such as wind or solar is necessary to achieve our climate targets.” The changeover applies to the compounding of Engineering Plastics, Polyurethanes and Thermoplastic Polyurethanes and Specialty Polymers. With the turn of the year, in total nine Performance Materials production sites across Europe have been converted.

Renewable electricity also plays an important role in the whole value chain such as in the choice of suppliers. For example, BASF Performance Materials sources glass fibers for the reinforcement of plastics from 3B Fibreglass, one of BASF’s suppliers that uses solar panels to generate electricity and has thus significantly reduced its carbon emissions. The reduced CO2 footprint of glass fibers is transferred to BASF’s products and ultimately to its customers. Such improvements will also apply within BASF’s value chain, to produce base polymers and other precursors for Engineering Plastics and Polyurethanes. “Ludwigshafen, as the world’s largest integrated chemical complex, cannot switch completely to renewable electricity from one day to the next. Our own combined cycle gas power plants produce electricity and process steam with a 95% efficiency at emissions far below the average grid level.

 

Within the next few years, BASF intends to continuously convert all its operations globally to renewable electricity. This will be achieved through the expansion of renewable energy production via significant projects. For example, the world’s biggest offshore windfarm owned by BASF and Vattenfall and located on the Hollandse Kust Zuid started its operations in 2023 and enables innovative, emission-free technologies at several production sites all over Europe. Schwarzheide, BASF’s second largest site in Germany, now integrates a 24-megawatt capacity from solar energy. “However, renewable electricity is not the only lever for reducing CO2 emissions. Green steam made from the electrification of processes and the use of alternative raw materials via the mass balance approach play an essential role in the transformation towards a sustainable chemical industry.

 

BASF aims to reduce its greenhouse gas emissions by 25 percent by 2030 compared to the base year 2018 and become climate-neutral by 2050. To achieve this ambitious goal, BASF is increasingly focusing on renewable energy, optimizing raw material procurement and production processes, and promoting and implementing a circular economy.

source:BASF

Sudarshan Chemical Completes Acquisition of Heubach Group

Sudarshan Chemical Industries Limited (SCIL) announced that through its wholly owned subsidiary Sudarshan Europe B.V., it has completed its previously announced acquisition of Germany-based Heubach Group in a combination of an asset and share deal.

This strategic acquisition creates a global pigment leader, bringing together SCIL’s operations and expertise with Heubach's technological capabilities. It will enhance SCIL’s product portfolio, giving it access to a diversified asset footprint across 19 international sites. The combined company will have a strong presence in major markets including Europe and the Americas. Rajesh Rathi will lead the combined company as managing director and CEO.

Heubach has a 200-year-old history and became the second-largest pigment player in the world after its integration with Clariant in 2022. It had more than a billion euros in revenue in FY21 and FY22, with a global footprint especially in Europe, Americas, and the APAC region. Heubach faced financial challenges over the past two years due to rising costs, inventory issues, and high interest rates. SCIL’s acquisition of Heubach will address these challenges with a clear turnaround plan.

“Today marks an exciting new chapter as we unite with Heubach to become an inspirational leader in the colorants industry,” Rathi said. “The combined company builds on the rich legacies of both Sudarshan and Heubach. Our goal is now to create the world’s most valuable pigment company with great financial strength and profitability. Together, we will drive continuous innovation and deliver breakthrough solutions that benefit each of our stakeholders.”

SCIL completed the transaction on schedule. The immediate priority will be to operate as one – unlocking efficiencies, driving synergies, and fully integrating legacy Clariant, Heubach, and Sudarshan into a unified, stronger organization.

Germany remains a strategic location for SCIL and by establishing its second global headquarters in the Frankfurt area, the company underscores the region’s role as a key pillar of its operations and future growth.

source: Sudarshan Chemical Industries/coatingsworld

Today's KNOWLEDGE Share:Exoskeleton Technology

 Today's KNOWLEDGE Share

ADDYX srl present ExoFly, our innovative solution designed for the space and aerospace industries, presented at the Innovation Planets JEC Group.

Featured at JEC World 2025, ExoFly integrates topological optimization, exoskeleton technology, and water-soluble mandrels to create lightweight, structurally superior components with reduced waste and lower CO₂ emissions.

By leveraging Addyx’s lean exoskeleton methodology, ExoFly enables high-performance lattice structures that enhance efficiency, strength, and cost-effectiveness.

source:ADDYX srl

Today's KNOWLEDGE Share : Liquid-Crystal Polymer Applications

Today's KNOWLEDGE Share

Liquid-Crystal Polymer?

A liquid crystal polymer is a material that retains molecular order in both liquid and solid states. Specifically, the transition from order to disorder during the melting of an LCP occurs well above the temperature at which it loses its fully crystallized structure. 

This effectively means that the material has two distinct melting points or, more accurately, two-phase changes. The first phase change takes it from solid to liquid crystal and the next from liquid crystal to a full liquid. The phase between liquid and crystal is referred to as the mesophase and the specific molecules that can form a mesophase are termed mesogens. LCPs can be divided into two main categories, namely lyotropic systems and thermotropic systems.

Lyotropic systems - A liquid crystal that appears with the addition of a solvent.

Thermotropic system - A liquid crystal that appears when heated.

A liquid-crystal polymer is a polymer in which the various mesogen molecules link to form long polymeric chains.

Most commercial LCPs incorporate p-hydroxybenzoic acid as one of the monomers that build molecular chains through various condensation methods. Monomer additives such as bisphenol are then introduced into the p-HBA to lower processing temperatures and allow for easier manufacturing. In addition to these monomers, fillers can be added to the material to further enhance its properties. These fillers can include graphite, fiberglass, or carbon. 

Electrical connectors: LCP plastic can be used to manufacture conductive electrical connectors. They function to eliminate static build-ups and discharges that would otherwise create noise interference in electrical signals.

Vascular catheter reinforcement braiding: Vascular catheters with LCP plastic braiding can be important for patients undergoing MRI scans. Catheters with metallic braiding would interact with the magnetic field generated by the machine.

Surgical instruments: Surgical instruments are sterilized after use via radiation. LCPs are ideal for this because they can withstand the radiation without breaking down.

Cookware coatings : Cookware with non-stick surfaces need to withstand the high-temperature environment of the stove as well as the corrosive effects of dishwashers and acidic foods. LCPs can withstand temperatures up to 280℃ and the coating is not harmed by dishwasher machines. 

source:xometry.com