Today's KNOWLEDGE Share : Syensqo's PEEK film technology receives 2025 Automotive News PACE Pilot Award

Today's KNOWLEDGE Share

Ajedium™ PEEK film technology awarded for advancing #EV performance and sustainability

Syensqo, a leader in advanced materials and specialty chemicals, is thrilled to announce that it was named a 2025 #Automotive News PACE Pilot Innovation to Watch for its innovative Ajedium™ PEEK film technology for e-motor slot liners.

Ajedium™ #PEEKfilms are engineered to enhance the efficiency and sustainability of electric motors and batteries. This cutting-edge technology allows manufacturers to streamline e-motor and battery designs by reducing size and eliminating the need for traditional moisture management systems, making it a game-changer in the automotive sector.

We are incredibly honored to receive the 2025 Automotive News PACE Pilot Award. This recognition underscores our unwavering commitment to understanding and addressing the unique challenges faced by our customers. Our Ajedium™ PEEK has been successfully tested with 800 volt systems, demonstrating superior copper fill and heat dissipation capabilities compared to traditional aramid paper alternatives.

The PACE Pilot Award is part of the prestigious Automotive News PACE program, which has recognized superior innovation, technological advancement, and business performance among automotive suppliers for over 30 years. The award ceremony took place on April 15th at the Max M. Fisher Music Center in Downtown Detroit, where #Syensqo was honored for its commitment to material innovation and excellence in the automotive industry. The recognition followed an extensive review by an independent panel of judges, including a comprehensive written application and a virtual pitch session.

source:Syensqo

Today's KNOWLEDGE Share : Covestro contributes to automotive circularity with materials recycled from end-of-life headlamps

Today's KNOWLEDGE Share

Covestro contributes to automotive circularity with materials recycled from end-of-life headlamps

Materials manufacturer Covestro has introduced a new line of post-consumer recycled (PCR) polycarbonates made from end-of-life automotive headlamps, marking another milestone in closing the loop for automotive materials. Developed through a joint program initiated by the German federal enterprise GIZ (Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit), with Volkswagen and NIO as key partners, these TÜV Rheinland-certified grades contain 50 percent recycled content and are now commercially available for new automotive applications. Volkswagen and NIO are already validating the material for potential use in future vehicle designs.

"This new line of polycarbonate represents a significant step in supporting the automotive industry's transformation towards a circular future," said Lily Wang, Global Head of the Engineering Plastics Business Entity at Covestro. "By offering high-quality PCR materials derived from end-of-life headlamps, we're enabling our customers to meet increasingly stringent regulatory requirements while contributing to closed-loop recycling of automotive plastics."

Under this initiative, Covestro has been collaborating with partners, including Chinese recycler Ausell and leading automakers, to establish closed-loop pathways for high-value plastics from end-of-life vehicles (ELVs). This program focuses on strengthening recycling processes and establishing reliable supply chains for high-quality recycled materials from automotive waste streams. Through this partnership, Covestro and its value chain allies have developed practical solutions for collecting and mechanically processing end-of-life headlamps into high-quality PCR grades suitable for a range of automotive applications.

"This partnership underscores the importance of cross-sector collaboration in driving the circular economy forward," said Martin Hansen, Regional Director of GIZ in East Asia. "By bringing together key industry players, we are not only creating viable solutions for recycling high-value plastics from end-of-life vehicles but also fostering innovation that supports a sustainable, closed-loop material flow in the automotive industry."

The introduction of these new PCR grades comes at a critical time as the automotive industry, one of the most resource-intensive sectors, faces increasing environmental challenges and regulatory pressures. The EU's End-of-Life Vehicle Directive, which sets recycling targets, along with China's Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) program and growing sustainability requirements in key global markets, are pushing automotive manufacturers worldwide to seek innovative and sustainable material solutions that comply with evolving regulations.

Covestro’s new PCR grades meet the high-performance standards required for demanding automotive applications, offering excellent surface quality for superior aesthetics and adhering to strict Vehicle Interior Air Quality (VIAQ) requirements. This combination of sustainable content and premium performance empowers automotive manufacturers to meet both regulatory demands and environmental goals without compromising on product quality.

As part of its broader commitment to sustainability and the circular economy, Covestro continues to expand its portfolio of recycled-content materials. In recent years, the company has introduced PCR polycarbonates with up to 90 percent recycled content, and opened its first dedicated mechanical recycling compounding line for #polycarbonates in Shanghai. Last year, it introduced a new range of polycarbonates based on chemically recycled, attributed material from post-consumer waste via mass balance for the first time.

source: Covestro

BASF and Hagihara Industries collaborate to deliver highly durable artificial grass for sports fields

BASF, a global leader in chemical innovation, and Hagihara Industries, Inc., a leading synthetic fiber producer in Japan, have joined forces to develop highly durable polyolefin yarns for artificial turf used in sports arenas, including football stadiums, baseball fields, and tennis courts. After three years of collaborative research and development, the two companies have created an advanced formulation with a series of Tinuvin® grades that significantly enhances the durability of synthetic grass, making it less susceptible to damage from sun exposure and ensuring it retains its vibrant color.

“One of the challenges we faced in producing yarns for artificial grass was improving its ability to endure relentless exposure to sunlight and extreme weather conditions,” said Norio Funakoshi, Chief of Fundamental Research Section, Hagihara Industries, Inc. “As our customers were looking for enhanced durability, BASF stepped in to address this issue by recommending the ideal blend of additives,” added Funakoshi.

BASF’s range of light stabilizers are designed to convert #UVrays into harmless thermal energy, serving as an umbrella to shield against the sun's damaging effects. Certain UV rays can attack polymers, compromising their strength and elongation. However, with the use of selected #Tinuvin® grades, this radical reaction can be effectively prevented.

Hagihara Industries successfully incorporated the advanced formulation of these additives into their yarn manufacturing process, which resulted in the production of artificial turf that lasts up to 10 years. Fagiano Okayama, a J-League football club located in Okayama Prefecture, manages the company's exceptionally durable artificial turf on its practice field. The turf has been acclaimed for its quality.

“We are thrilled to highlight the fruitful partnership between BASF and Hagihara Industries,” said Hazel Sprafke, Vice President, Global Business Management, Plastic Additives, Asia Pacific. “This collaboration exemplifies our commitment to addressing our customers' needs through continuous innovation and effective solutions.”

As a trusted partner for innovation, #BASF continuously pushes the boundaries of what is possible. Beyond synthetic turf, BASF’s comprehensive range of light stabilizers offers versatile solutions for demanding outdoor applications, such as construction tarps, heavy-duty waterproof sheets, and swimming pool covers. BASF‘s innovative solutions ensure that its partners in the plastics industry can deliver high-performance, durable, and cost-effective products.

source: BASF

 

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