Canada declares PFAS toxic under CEPA

 The Government of Canada has published the State of Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS) report. This report follows public consultations for the Draft State of PFAS Report, launched in May 2023, and the Updated Draft State of PFAS Report, launched in July 2024, during which over 400 stakeholders provided input.

Prevent substitution of regulated PFAS by unregulated PFAS:

Following the latest science, the Government of Canada has examined PFAS as a class of substances.The class of PFAS comprises of substances meeting the broad chemical definition by the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development.

Scientific evidence suggests that concerns identified for human health and the environment for well-studied PFAS are more broadly applicable to other PFAS. A class approach can help prevent the substitution of one regulated PFAS by an unregulated PFAS that potentially possesses similar hazardous properties.

Based on latest science and evidence, this report concludes that the class of PFAS, excluding fluoropolymers as defined in the report, is toxic under the Canadian Environmental Protection Act,1999 (CEPA).

Findings on PFAS (excluding fluoropolymers) under CEPA section 64

This report concludes that PFAS, excluding fluoropolymers, meet two criteria under section 64 of CEPA:

Proposed actions on PFAS - Risk management approach:

The Government of Canada recognizes that there are numerous uses of PFAS and that they are used in a wide array of sectors of the economy. Certain uses may be critical for safety, health, or economic reasons, and industry will have opportunities to engage and identify practical alternatives. This approach not only protects health and the environment but also supports the competitiveness of Canadian industries while they are finding safer alternatives.

To determine actions for the class of PFAS, excluding fluoropolymers, the Government is publishing a proposed Risk Management Approach with the following environmental and health risk management objectives:

To reduce releases of PFAS into the Canadian environment to avoid adverse effects in a manner that balances environmental protection with economic feasibility

To achieve these objectives and reduce environmental and human exposure to the lowest levels that are technically feasible, the Govt proposes to prioritize action through a phased approach:

Phase 1: Address PFAS in firefighting foams (not currently regulated), due to high potential for environmental and human exposure

Phase 2: Address the uses of PFAS in consumer products where alternatives exist, such as certain textiles, ski waxes, building materials, and food packaging materials

Phase 3: Evaluate sectors requiring further consideration through stakeholder engagement and further assessments

The Risk Management Approach will be open for consultation to all interested parties from March 8 until May 7, 2025.

source:Govt of Canada/polymer-additives.specialchem.com

Today's KNOWLEDGE Share : Pros of 3D Printing

Today's KNOWLEDGE Share

Pros of 3D Printing

1. Flexible Design

3D printing allows for the design and print of more complex designs than traditional manufacturing processes. More traditional processes have design restrictions which no longer apply with the use of 3D printing.

2. Rapid Prototyping

3D printing can manufacture parts within hours, which speeds up the prototyping process.This allows for each stage to complete faster.When compared to machining prototypes,3D printing is inexpensive and quicker at creating parts as the part can be finished in hours,allowing for each design modification to be completed at a much more efficient rate.

3. Print on Demand

Print on demand is another advantage as it doesn’t need a lot of space to stock inventory, unlike traditional manufacturing processes.This saves space and costs as there is no need to print in bulk unless required.

3D design files are all stored in a virtual library as they are printed using a 3D model as either a CAD/STL file.

4. Strong and Lightweight Parts

The main 3D printing material used is plastic, although some metals can also be used for 3D printing.Plastics offer advantages as they are lighter than their metal equivalents.This is particularly important in industries such as automotive and aerospace.

5. Fast Design and Production

Depending on a part’s design and complexity,3D printing can print objects within hours, which is much faster than moulded or machined parts.It is not only the manufacture of the part that can offer time savings through 3D printing but also the design process can be very quick by creating STL or CAD files ready to be printed.

6. Minimising Waste

The production of parts only requires the materials needed for the part itself, with little or no wastage as compared to alternative methods which are cut from large chunks of non-recyclable materials.Not only does the process save on resources.

7. Cost Effective

As a single step manufacturing process,3D printing saves time and therefore costs associated with using different machines for manufacture. 3D printers can also be set up and left to get on with the job,meaning that there is no need for operators to be present the entire time.

8. Ease of Access

3D printers are becoming more and more accessible with more local service providers offering outsourcing services for manufacturing work.This saves time and doesn’t require expensive transport costs compared to more traditional manufacturing processes produced abroad in countries such as China.

9. Environmentally Friendly

As this technology reduces the amount of material wastage used this process is inherently environmentally friendly.The environmental benefits are extended when you consider factors such as improved fuel efficiency from using 3D printed parts.

10. Advanced Healthcare

3D printing is being used in the medical sector to help save lives by printing organs for the human body such as livers,kidneys and hearts.

source:twi-global.com

Solar Dryers Support Coffee Production in Ethiopia

Covestro is committed to sustainable solutions in agriculture and has developed specialized solar dryers made of polycarbonate to support coffee farmers in Ethiopia during the harvest. The project is being implemented in collaboration with the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH and aims to assist people in disadvantaged regions worldwide with simple yet effective technologies.

Coffee is one of Ethiopia’s most important trade commodities and provides a livelihood for many smallholder farmers. However, changing climate conditions—such as rising temperatures and irregular rainfall—are significantly impacting coffee cultivation. Yields are decreasing, and plants are becoming more susceptible to diseases. This is where the Covestro and GIZ project comes in, working to make coffee production more efficient and resilient.

To achieve this, Covestro has supported to develop solar dryers—parabolic structures that function like greenhouses but offer better control over temperature and humidity. Instead of glass, lightweight, transparent, and insulating polycarbonate multiwall sheets are used, which also provide UV protection. This technology enables fast and hygienic drying of coffee while protecting the harvest from rain, pests, and mold.

GIZ supports the project as part of the German development program develoPPP, which promotes sustainable initiatives in developing and emerging countries. The goal is to combine private sector engagement with development policy objectives to achieve long-term economic and social benefits. "The solar-powered greenhouse dryers have significantly reduced drying times for both washed and naturally processed coffees. This allows farmers to process their coffee more efficiently and bring it to market faster. Additionally, the sealed environment of the dryers protects the beans from contamination, improving quality and minimizing waste. Local cooperatives have embraced this innovation as a valuable asset for their coffee production," explains Dr. Helene Widmer, Project Manager at GIZ. "Our collaboration with Covestro demonstrates how innovative material technologies can contribute to stabilizing agriculture."

Pejman Norastehfar, Head of Inclusive Business EMEA at Covestro, adds: "The successful implementation of solar dryers impressively demonstrates the positive impact that innovative and sustainable technologies can have on the coffee industry. We are proud to work with GIZ and local cooperatives to provide a solution that not only increases efficiency but also enhances the quality and shelf life of coffee. With our solutions, we can help address the challenges of climate change right here on the ground."

So far, six solar dryers have been installed in Ethiopia, and the project continues to gain momentum.

source:Covestro

FLO Group and NatureWorks Present KEYGEA: The Ingeo-Based Compostable Coffee Pod Set to Revolutionize the North American Market

A new era for sustainable coffee begins with KEYGEA, the innovative compostable single-serve pod born from the synergy between FLO Group, a leading European player in the vending and food packaging sector, and NatureWorks, the world’s largest producer of PLA-based biopolymers.

Designed to meet the growing demand for renewable solutions in the North American market, KEYGEA combines sustainability and outstanding performance, ensuring flawless coffee extraction without compromise on quality.

Made with Ingeo™ PLA, a biopolymer derived from renewable resources, KEYGEA is a sustainable innovation for the future of coffee and a true revolution in the pod industry. It’s certified industrially compostable by BPI and DIN CERTCO - allowing the ability to return coffee grounds to the earth as valuable natural nutrients. Compostable coffee pods are a concrete step toward more responsible consumption and a future with less waste.

FLO’s innovation team has developed a pod that optimizes water flow during extraction, delivering a premium sensory experience. Engineered with high-barrier properties, KEYGEA effectively protects against oxidation, preserving the coffee’s aroma and freshness for longer, ensuring a perfect cup every time.

Thanks to revolutionary thermoforming technology, KEYGEA stands out as one of the lightest pods on the market, only 2.6g, without compromising on strength and full compatibility with high-speed filling and sealing lines. A perfect balance between practicality and sustainability, meeting the needs of the most innovative coffee roasters.

This pod marks a breakthrough for the coffee market, a new chapter in our journey of innovation,” says Erika Simonazzi, Marketing Director of FLO Group. “Thanks to our key partnership with NatureWorks, with KEYGEA we are entering the North American market with a revolutionary solution that combines sustainability and high performance. But our journey doesn’t stop here: the research behind this pod opens up new opportunities in single-serve packaging and reinforces our commitment to over 50 years of excellence in food packaging.”

We're proud and grateful for the relationship we've built with FLO over the years," says Roger Tambay, Chief Growth Officer at NatureWorks. "Together, we have exchanged ideas and expertise to navigate the meticulous detail required for all components of an effective coffee pod. And the KEYGEA pod produces the best-tasting coffee but also happens to be cost-efficient for roasters.

source:Natureworks LLC

Today's KNOWLEDGE Share : Hermann Emil Fischer-Nobel prize 1902

Today's KNOWLEDGE Share

Hermann Emil Fischer-Nobel prize 1902

Emil Hermann Fischer, more commonly known as Emil Fischer, was an eminent German organic chemist. He received the 1902 Nobel Prize for Chemistry for his influential research regarding purines and sugars.

Fischer followed Baeyer to Munich in 1875 as an assistant, becoming a Privatdozent (unpaid lecturer) in 1878, and an assistant professor in 1879. During his time in Munich Fischer continued his research on hydrazines. Together with his cousin Otto, Fisher demonstrated that rosaniline and related dyes were derivatives of triphenylmethane.

Three years later, having now a reputation as an excellent organic chemist, Fischer accepted the position of Professor and Director of the Chemistry Institute at Erlangen in 1882, later accepting a similar position in Würzburg in 1885.

During this time, Fischer began his research on the active constituents of tea, coffee and cocoa (caffeine and theobromine). His research led him to realize that many vegetable substances all belonged to one family group. He gave the name purines to these compounds, which had a base containing nitrogen and a bicyclic structure. He successfully synthesized several purines including caffeine in 1895 and uric acid in 1897. He suggested formulas for the purines uric acid, caffeine, theobromine, xanthine and guanine.

In addition to purines, Fisher also researched the known sugars and he established the stereochemical nature and isometry of these sugars. He synthesized glucose, fructose and mannose in 1890 starting from the substance glycerol.

Fischer became the successor to A. W. von Hofmann, as director of the Chemistry Institute of Berlin in 1892, a position he kept until his death.

Between 1899 and 1908 he studied proteins and enzymes. He established the important “Lock and Key Model” for the visualization of the substrate and enzyme interaction. He formulated that amino acids, which are the building blocks of proteins, are joined together by “peptide bonds”. He also devised a method of combining amino acids to form proteins known as peptides.

Source:https:famousscientists.org

Today's KNOWLEDGE Share : Chewing gum can shed microplastics into saliva, pilot study finds:

Today's KNOWLEDGE Share

Plastic is everywhere. And many products we use in everyday life, such as cutting boards, clothes and cleaning sponges, can expose people to tiny, micrometer-wide plastic particles called microplastics. Now, chewing gum could be added to the list. In a pilot study, researchers found that chewing gum can release hundreds to thousands of microplastics per piece into saliva and potentially be ingested. 

The researchers will present their results at the spring meeting of the American Chemical Society (ACS). ACS Spring 2025 is being held March 23-27; it features about 12,000 presentations on a range of science topics.

Our goal is not to alarm anybody,” says Sanjay Mohanty, the project’s principal investigator and an engineering professor at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA). “Scientists don’t know if microplastics are unsafe to us or not. There are no human trials. But we know we are exposed to plastics in everyday life, and that’s what we wanted to examine here.”

Animal studies and studies with human cells show that microplastics could cause harm, so while we wait for more definitive answers from the scientific community, individuals can take steps to reduce their exposure to microplastics.

Scientists estimate that humans consume tens of thousands of microplastics (between 1 micrometer- and 5 millimeters-wide) every year through foods, drinks, plastic packaging, coatings, and production or manufacturing processes. Yet, chewing gum as a potential source of microplastics hasn’t been widely studied, despite the candy’s worldwide popularity. So, Mohanty and a graduate student in his lab, Lisa Lowe, wanted to identify how many microplastics a person could potentially ingest from chewing natural and synthetic gums. 

Chewing gums are made from a rubbery base, sweetener, flavorings and other ingredients. Natural gum products use a plant-based polymer, such as chicle or other tree sap, to achieve the right chewiness, while other products use synthetic rubber bases from petroleum-based polymers.

“Our initial hypothesis was that the synthetic gums would have a lot more microplastics because the base is a type of plastic,” says Lowe, who started the project as an undergraduate intern at UCLA and the presenter of this research.

The researchers tested five brands of synthetic gum and five brands of natural gum, all of which are commercially available. Mohanty says they wanted to reduce the human factor of varied chewing patterns and saliva, so they had seven pieces from each brand all chewed by one person. 

In the lab, the person chewed the piece of gum for 4 minutes, producing samples of saliva every 30 seconds, then a final mouth rinse with clean water, all of which got combined into a single sample. In another experiment, saliva samples were collected periodically over 20 minutes to look at the release rate of microplastics from each piece of gum. Then, the researchers measured the number of microplastics present in each saliva sample. Plastic particles were either stained red and counted under a microscope or analyzed by Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy, which also provided the polymer composition. 

Lowe measured an average of 100 microplastics released per gram of gum, though some individual gum pieces released as many as 600 microplastics per gram. A typical piece of gum weighs between 2 and 6 grams, meaning a large piece of gum could release up to 3,000 plastic particles. If the average person chews 160 to 180 small sticks of gum per year, the researchers estimated that could result in the ingestion of around 30,000 microplastics. If the average person consumes tens of thousands of microplastics per year, gum chewing could greatly increase the ingested amount. 

Surprisingly, both synthetic and natural gums had similar amounts of microplastics released when we chewed them,” says Lowe. And they also contained the same polymers: polyolefins, polyethylene terephthalates, polyacrylamides and polystyrenes. The most abundant polymers for both types of gum were polyolefins, a group of plastics that includes polyethylene and polypropylene. 

Most of the microplastics detached from gum within the first 2 minutes of chewing. But Mohanty says they weren’t released because of enzymes in saliva breaking them down. Rather, the act of chewing is abrasive enough to make pieces flake off. And after 8 minutes of chewing, 94% of the plastic particles collected during the tests had been released. Therefore, Lowe suggests that if people want to reduce their potential exposure to microplastics from gum, they chew one piece longer instead of popping in a new one.

The study was limited to identifying microplastics 20-micrometers-wide or larger because of the instruments and techniques used. It’s likely, Mohanty says, that smaller plastic particles were not detected in saliva and that additional research is needed to assess the potential release of nano-sized plastics from chewing gum. 

“The plastic released into saliva is a small fraction of the plastic that’s in the gum,” concludes Mohanty. “So, be mindful about the environment and don’t just throw it outside or stick it to a gum wall.” If used gum isn’t properly thrown away, it’s another source of plastic pollution to the environment, too. 

The research was funded by UCLA and the University of Hawaii Maximizing Access to Research Careers program, which is funded by the National Institutes of Health and the California Protection Council.

The study’s experimental approach was approved by the Internal Review Board at UCLA.

source:American Chemical Society (ACS)

Today's KNOWLEDGE Share : Grilamid TR

Today's KNOWLEDGE Share

Grilamid TR: Grilamid TR is the trade name for EMS-GRIVORY’s family of amorphous polyamides based on cycloaliphatic and aromatic blocks. Careful selection of the monomers results in stellar transparency threaded in the family’s DNA.

The latest addition to this comprehensive product range is Grilamid TR FE 11292. This is the first transparent polyamide worldwide which can be repeatedly sterilised at temperatures of 134 °C using steam sterilisation processes, well-suited for use in medical applications.

Grilamid TR product line combines optical clarity with high-performance attributes:

• Brilliant transparency

• Excellent fatigue resistance

• Superior dynamic strength

• High chemical resistance

• Extraordinary environmental stress crack resistance (ESCR)

• Low specific gravity

• Minimal water absorption

• Long-term thermal stability

• Barrier resistance to O2, N2, and CO2

• High impact strength at low temperatures

• Exceptional dimensional stability

• Outstanding resistance to weathering

Environmental stress cracking (ESC) is a failure mode where a material fractures, either partially or completely, from chemical exposure under stress. Most amorphous polymers demonstrate chemical resistance but fail under applied stresses. ESC resistance testing, based on DIN 53449, subjects the material to bending stress under a 1-minute solvent immersion at 23°C. Chemical attack observed in the form of cracks, crazing, or other surface degradation mechanism indicates incompatibility for crucial applications. Grilamid TR exhibits better resistance to alcohol, ketone and aromatic solvents compared to polycarbonate (PC) and polyethylene terephthalate glycol (PETG).

Grilamid TR demonstrates equal to elevated performance when comparing key properties such as transparency, chemical resistance, and processability to amorphous thermoplastics such as polycarbonate (PC), polysulfone (PSU), polyethersulfone (PES), and polyetherimide (PEI).

source:EMS-GRIVORY