Today's KNOWLEDGE Share : Award-winning flood protection made from recycled plastic:

Today's KNOWLEDGE Share

Award-winning flood protection made from recycled plastic:

Danish Urban Water Retention (UWR) developed an innovative modular system, assembled like Legos, to manage stormwater and prevent flooding in urban settings. The material used in the modules is a customized recycled PP from Polykemi and Rondo Plast, developed to meet tough specifications and enhance the product's sustainability profile. The system won an award in its category at the 2025 Aquatech Innovation Awards in Amsterdam.

Success thanks to material composition

UWR's product consists of square modules that are placed next to and on top of each other underground, to create either storage or transportation of stormwater, thereby reducing the risk of flooding in urban areas. To support heavy weight from above, a customized recycled plastic was needed that could meet high stiffness requirements, which Polykemi and Rondo Plast were able to provide. The base material in the modules is a commonly used material in the automotive industry, which they have customized and strengthened to fit this specific product.

The material is a REZYcom PP with a specific polymer composition, reinforced with glass fiber, which together provide the necessary stiffness. We also have excellent repeatability with the material, so UWR will experience the same performance with every delivery,” says Fredrik Holst, Product Manager for Recycled Materials at Polykemi and Rondo Plast.

Part of UWR’s product success is directly linked to the material.

“We would not have achieved the success we have with our product without the material composition. There's no need to debate if it’s brilliant – it is brilliant!” says Christian Rosenvinge, Production and Procurement Manager at UWR.

Reduced CO₂ footprint by 65–70%

UWR’s product aims to increase cities’ resilience to climate change while simultaneously pursuing other sustainability goals.

”We achieved such a high proportion of recycled plastic, reducing our CO₂ footprint by a remarkable 65–70%,” says Christian Rosenvinge.

This wasn't the only sustainability benefit realized through recycled material.

”The stiffness and strength we achieved mean UWR's clients can place their cubes relatively shallowly in the ground, which has the effect of reducing the amount of soil that needs to be transported away – a win in the overall sustainability concept, but it should also provide an economic advantage for UWR's customers,” says Fredrik Holst.

Collaboration to find the right material

The journey to find the right material was a collaboration between the customer and the supplier, where being geographically close provided benefits throughout the process.

“UWR took the chance to visit us together with their clients to see our production and let our technical experts demonstrate the material on-site. As a kind of extra quality assurance,” says Fredrik Holst.

From the beginning, UWR aimed to use material based on recycled raw materials, but it took some effort before the two sides found exactly the right one.

“We worked closely with the lab at Polykemi, and in the end, we found a recycled plastic material that met all our requirements,” says Christian Rosenvinge.

The modules in UWR’s system have a lifespan of 75 years – compared to conventional solutions on the market today, where the lifespan is usually around 25–30 years.

source: Polykemi

Today's KNOWLEDGE Share : Henri Moissan-The Nobel Prize in 1906

Today's KNOWLEDGE Share

Henri Moissan-The Nobel Prize in 1906

Several generations of chemists had tried in vain to isolate #fluorine, notably by #electrolyzing phosphorus and arsenic fluorides, but Moissan was determined to find a way. His genius lay in the idea of turning the bath into a conductor by adding a molten potassium fluoride salt, KHF2. (Pure hydrogen fluoride, HF, could not suffice as its capacity as an electric conductor was too weak.) Moissan devised a platinum electrolyzer and lowered the reaction temperature of the electrolytic solution of HF + KHF2 to limit corrosion. The platinum electrolyzer was U-shaped and stopped with fluorite (CaF2) stoppers.The cathode and the anode were made of irridated platinum to provide better resistance to the fluorine.

The traces of hydrogen fluoride were condensed at the end of the apparatus in a low-temperature trap and also by sodium fluoride. On June 28, 1886, a gaseous product was identified at the anode of the electrolyzer: Fluorine (F2) had been successfully isolated, thus resolving one of the most difficult challenges in the realm of #inorganicchemistry. The yellow-green gas obtained was highly toxic and proved to be a powerful oxidizing agent, causing organic materials to burst into flames on entering into contact with it and combining directly, and often violently, with almost all other elements.

Among his contributions to science, there is also his arc #furnace capable of reaching temperatures of 4,100 ° C, allowing the reduction of certain metals such as uranium, chromium, tungsten, vanadium, manganese, titanium and molybdenum.

Source:wiley.com

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AGC Develops Chemical Absorption Solution Significantly Enhancing CO2 Capture Efficiency from Air

A world-leading manufacturer of glass, chemicals and other high-tech materials, has developed a chemical absorption solution (hereafter referred to as “the absorption solution”) for Direct Air Capture (DAC) technology, which directly captures CO2 from the air. DAC is considered an essential technology for achieving carbon neutrality by 2050, and research towards its practical application is progressing worldwide. The absorption solution developed by AGC for DAC uses polypropylene glycol (PPG) as a non-aqueous chemical absorption solution, which significantly reduces energy consumption during CO2 capture compared to conventional aqueous chemical absorption solutions.

DAC is a technology that separates and captures the approximately 0.04% of CO2 present in the air using CO2 capture devices. Various methods are being researched for practical application. Among these, the method of using chemical absorption solutions to capture CO2 is notable for its ease of scaling up the equipment, making it promising for future use in large facilities such as factories. However, most chemical absorption solutions are mixtures of amines and water, which poses a challenge: when heat energy is applied to separate and capture CO2, the water evaporates, leading to excess energy consumption.

In response, we have developed a non-aqueous amine absorption solution that significantly reduces the energy consumption required for CO2 capture. The primary material of this absorption solution, polypropylene glycol is characterized by low volatility, resulting in minimal energy loss due to evaporation. Moreover, polypropylene glycol has high compatibility with amine compounds, allowing for stable separation and capture of CO2.

Additionally, our absorption solution is expected to be utilized in the “Cryo-DAC”, which recycles the -160°C waste cold energy generated during the vaporization of liquefied natural gas to capture CO2. Since 2023, we have been conducting joint research with Nagoya University on the application of this absorption solution in Cryo-DAC. Moving forward, we will also participate as a subcontractor in the “Moonshot Research and Development Program” by the New Energy and Industrial Technology Development Organization (NEDO), in which Nagoya University is involved, to further advance research towards the practical application of our absorption solution.

Furthermore, we are exploring the application of our absorption solution to various CO2-containing gases, such as factory exhaust gases, in addition to Cryo-DAC.

source: AGC Group

Today's KNOWLEDGE Share : Yield Strength

Today's KNOWLEDGE Share

Many people I meet or help with consulting, believe that a higher Yield Strength is always preferable, when choosing a plastic material for an application.

After all, why would "more strength" possibly be a bad thing ?

However, while a high yield means a high resistance before...yielding, i.e. going into plastic deformation and failing as a part, it is NOT always a good thing.

When Yield Strength is high, the overall principal stresses can grow higher before any sign of yielding.

When the average state of tension in the part has a chance to grow high, the probability of a brittle failure is quickly increasing !

Because most of us in this industry tend to ignore (or just don't know) this, we end up with frequent "unexpected" brittle failure, usually associated with huge liabilities.

source: Vito leo

#polymers #yieldstrength #brittlefailure

Today's KNOWLEDGE Share : Johann Friedrich Wilhelm Adolf von Baeyer-The Nobel Prize in 1905

Today's KNOWLEDGE Share

Johann Friedrich Wilhelm Adolf von Baeyer-The Nobel Prize in 1905

The Discovery of Indigo:

In 1860,#AdolfvonBaeyer habilitated in Berlin and accepted a teaching position for organic chemistry at the Gewerbeinstitut in Berlin. In 1866, the University of Berlin, at the suggestion of A.W. Hofmann, conferred on him a senior lectureship, which, however, was unpaid. In this period however, Baeyer started his work on indigo, which soon led to the discovery of indole and to the partial synthesis of indigotin. Also in this period, Baeyer developed his theory of carbon-dioxide assimilation in formaldehyde. He was appointed chair at the University of Munich after Justus von Liebig had passed away and Baeyer was able to perform the synthesis of indigo.One year later, in 1881, the Royal Society of London awarded him the Davy Medal for his work with indigo. In 1883 Baeyer succeeded in correctly elucidating the structure of indigo. Although Baeyer patented the synthesis of indigo, it was not really economically feasible. The manufacturing costs were too high compared to the natural dye, so that this synthesis route had to be abandoned. Later, Baeyer and Viggo Beutner Drewsen developed an industrially insignificant indigo synthesis from nitrobenzaldehyde. Only in 1900 Karl Heumann developed an economical indigo synthesis.

The Synthesis of Alizarin:

Another economically important natural dye at the time was alizarin, which Baeyer’s assistants Carl Graebe and Liebermann reduced to #anthracene using zinc dust. They now developed a new #anthraquinone synthesis from anthracene with #potassiumdichromate and #sulfuricacid. By treating the anthraquinone with bromine at 100 °C and subsequent treatment with potassium hydroxide, the #alizarin could also be synthesized. Baeyer and Carl clarified the position of the hydroxy groups in alizarin. Baeyer also discovered the group of triphenylmethane dyes. To celebrate Baeyer’s 70th birthday, a collection of his scientific papers was published in 1905.

In 1905 he was awarded the Nobel Prize in #Chemistry for his services to “the development of organic chemistry and the #chemicalindustry through his work on #organicdyes and #hydroaromaticcompounds”.

Source:scihi.org

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Fraunhofer to Replace Fluoropolymers with High-Performance Elastomers and Plasma Coatings

Fraunhofer’s work marks a significant step toward sustainable, high-performance alternatives in areas where fluoropolymers have long been considered irreplaceable, such as the paints and coatings market.

The Fraunhofer Institutes have launched a new research initiative aimed at replacing fluoropolymers in demanding technical applications in response to growing regulatory pressure on fluorinated substances. The project, titled HATE-FLUOR, began in February and is a collaboration between the Fraunhofer Institute for Structural Durability and System Reliability (LBF) and the Fraunhofer Institute for Manufacturing Technology and Advanced Materials (IFAM).

The initiative comes at a time when manufacturers across industries are seeking alternatives to poly- and perfluorinated alkyl substances (PFAS), also known as ‘forever chemicals.’ These compounds, widely used for their chemical resistance and thermal stability, are facing increasing scrutiny from the European Chemicals Agency (ECHA). Fluoroelastomers, a significant subset of PFAS used in sealing applications, are among the materials under threat.

The HATE-FLUOR project aims to develop a new generation of high-performance elastomers that are entirely fluorine-free. These materials will be enhanced with tailored antioxidants, novel formulations, and advanced coatings to provide the durability and resistance currently achieved through fluoropolymers.

The project targets a broad range of industries, including mechanical and medical engineering, cleanroom and semiconductor technology, chemical process engineering and electronics, many of which depend on fluoroelastomer components to withstand harsh conditions.

Moreover, Fraunhofer LBF is developing thermally and chemically robust elastomer compounds, focusing on improving thermal and thermo-oxidative stability with cutting-edge antioxidant technologies, as well as creating application-specific formulations to ensure high resistance and strong adhesion. Meanwhile, Fraunhofer IFAM is advancing coating technologies to protect these new elastomers. Key developments include polyimide-based coatings reinforced with layered silicates, designed to block harmful gases and moisture. These coatings are expected to significantly reduce ageing and degradation, especially in sensitive electronics and high-performance environments. Modifications to the layered silicates aim to reduce the permeation of water vapour and oxygen by up to 99%.

The combined expertise of LBF and IFAM in PFAS alternatives and surface technologies underpins the project’s modular approach. By integrating advanced elastomer compounds with plasma and coatings, the HATE-FLUOR initiative promises a scalable and adaptable solution to the looming regulatory and environmental challenges posed by fluorinated materials.

source: Fraunhofer Institutes/ ipcm

Today's KNOWLEDGE Share : New rules for safer toys in the EU

Today's KNOWLEDGE Share

New rules for safer toys in the EU

The European Commission welcomes the provisional political agreement between the European Parliament and the Council on the new toy safety rules, following the Commission's proposal for a Regulation on Toy Safety from 28 July 2023.

The new Regulation will ban the use of harmful chemicals, such as PFAS, endocrine disruptors and bisphenols, in toys. All toys will have a Digital Product Passport to prevent unsafe toys sold online and offline from entering the EU. The Regulation sets stricter rules on online sales and give inspectors greater powers to remove dangerous toys from the market. This will ensure that imported toys are as safe for consumers as toys manufactured in the EU.

The new requirements

Building on the existing rules, the new Toy Safety Regulation will update the safety requirements that toys must meet to be marketed in the EU, whether they are manufactured in the EU or elsewhere. More specifically, today's agreement will:

Better protect against harmful chemicals: In addition to the substances already banned, the new Regulation will prohibit the use of chemicals that affect the endocrine system (#endocrinedisruptors) or the respiratory system, those that can create skin allergies or are toxic to a specific organ. It will also ban the use of dangerous #bisphenols and per- and #polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in toys.

Better use of digital tools: with the new Regulation, all #toys will be required to have a Digital Product Passport in the format of a data carrier, such as a QR code, on the toy. Consumers or authorities will easily see the toy's product, compliance and other information. Importers will have to submit digital product passports at the EU borders, including for toys sold online. A new IT system will screen all digital product passports at the EU's external borders and will identify the shipments that need detailed controls at customs. Checks on toys by national inspectors will be facilitated, as information will be readily available in the digital product passport. This will streamline actions against unsafe toys in the EU and ensure that all toys manufacturers can compete equally and fairly.

Next step:

The political agreement is now subject to formal approval by the European Parliament and the Council. It will entry into force after 20 days following its publication in the Official Journal. The Regulation foresees a transition period for industry and authorities to adapt to the new rules.

Background

Directive 2009/48/EC on the safety of toys lays down the safety requirements that toys must meet to be placed on the #EU, irrespective of whether they are manufactured in the EU or in third countries. This facilitates the free movement of toys within the Single Market.

source : European Commission