DOMO India expands compounding capacities

#DOMOChemicals, a leading global supplier of high-performance solutions under the #TECHNYL® brand, has officially ramped up its compounding operations in Mumbai, India. This strategic expansion strengthens DOMO’s position as a solutions provider in the region, and expands its portfolio of engineered materials based on #polyamides and other resins.

Driving local innovation with advanced materials

India’s rapid industrial growth, particularly in e-mobility and electronics, is fueling the need for lightweight, flame- and heat-resistant, and sustainable materials. DOMO’s enhanced capacity will produce locally high-value engineered plastics based on nylon and other resins, designed for applications such as electronic connectors, smart devices and automotive components.

"The establishment of the new line shortens the delivery timeline for our Indian and other Asian customers,” says ‌Soumya Mishra, Head of EM Business India at DOMO. “It will also be accompanied by increased technical support from our local R&D team to help our clients achieve their innovation ambitions.

Empowering a sustainable future‌

DOMO’s latest compounding technology integrates sustainable manufacturing practices that reduce energy use, carbon emissions and production waste – without compromising on quality. The company’s TECHNYL® 4EARTH® range of recycled polyamides exemplifies this commitment, recently winning top honors at the Recycled Plastic Products Show for a PA6-based solution made from recycled fishing nets and textiles, used in TATA TOYO fan and shroud systems.

“India stands out as one of our fastest growing markets globally,” says Ron Bult, General Manager Asia at DOMO. "This capacity expansion reinforces our supply chain resilience and our long-term dedication to rapid response, innovation and sustainable growth in the region.

With this move, DOMO continues to scale its footprint in Asia, delivering next-generation solutions that support smarter mobility, safer electronics and a more sustainable future.

source: DOMO Chemicals

OCSiAl and Molicel Announce Long-Term Partnership to Enhance Ultrahigh-Power Cells with Single Wall Carbon Nanotubes

OCSiAl, the world's leading manufacturer of #singlewallcarbonnanotubes, has been approved as an official supplier by Molicel, a global leader in high-performance lithium-ion battery cells. The two companies have formed a long-term strategic partnership focused on significantly enhancing ultra-high-power lithium-ion cells. OCSiAl supplies Molicel with nanotubes to improve both anode and cathode performance, resulting in batteries with superior efficiency, fast-charge convenience, and extended cycle life compared to existing market solutions.

Last year, Molicel showcased the innovative technology and design of ultrahigh-power P50B lithium-ion battery cells, enhanced with OCSiAl’s single wall carbon nanotubes. The next-generation INR-21700-P50B power cell boasts ultra-high energy density, 260 Wh/kg, and delivers unbeatable peak power of 413 W at 45°C, along with 5C ultrafast charging capabilities. The INR-21700-P50B is designed to cater to the premium segment in various applications, holding great potential for hyper EVs, racing sports cars, eVTOLs, racing motorcycles, heavy lift drones, and more. To boost battery performance, the long-term partnership will focus its research on three-dimensional conductive networks, resilient framework electrodes, and Si-dominated anodes.

The collaboration between Molicel’s advanced cell technology and OCSiAl’s single wall carbon nanotubes has made it possible for the INR-21700-P50B to redefine high-power cylindrical cells,” said Casey Shiue, President of Molicel. “This synergistic approach yields a superior power-to-energy ratio, a remarkable doubling of battery cycle life to 1,400 cycles at 100 W discharge, and ultralow impedance through innovative interface engineering, resulting in superior performance and efficiency, while maintaining excellent energy density and cycle life.

OCSiAl single wall carbon nanotubes, nature’s longest and most flexible material for conductivity and reinforcement of electrodes, hold a superior position among other carbon-based additives for batteries. “OCSiAl single wall carbon nanotubes create robust long-distance electrical networks that connect particles of active materials, forming ‘high-speed highways’ capable of withstanding high currents and remaining stable even during severe active material volume expansion over long-term cycling,” said Andrej Seniut, Head of OCSiAl Energy Projects.

OCSiAl is committed to establishing a sustainable global supply network as a cornerstone for future battery technologies. Following the launch of its nanotube synthesis and dispersion facility in Europe last year, #OCSiAl continues to actively invest in production expansion across key markets to meet the rapidly growing demand for high-performance #batteries.

source: OCSiAl

#SWCNT

Evonik launches particle dispersion portfolio to enhance dot sharpness and resolution of inkjet ink receptive coatings

#Evonik Coating Additives has introduced a range of four new AERODISP® dispersions based on SiO2 or Al2O3 particles, designed to improve waterborne inkjet ink receptive #coatings.

Excellent dot sharpness and high resolution are key supporting the transition from analogue to digital printing, especially for waterborne inkjet #inks. In order to achieve high-quality results, it is necessary to control the spreading behavior and fixation of the inks on the substrate.

With the new range of waterborne #AERODISP® dispersions, Evonik Coating Additives has developed products to ensure high dot sharpness and fixation of ink droplets on ink receptive coatings, also known as inkjet primers. The AERODISP® dispersions can be incorporated by simple stirring and are compatible with many different binders and formulations.

To meet the needs of different applications, two of these new AERODISP® #dispersions are anionic and two are cationic. This allows for optimal interaction and fixation of the ink on the primer.

The anionic grades are particularly recommended for food packaging and decorative applications as they are compatible with non-ionic and anionic binder systems. The cationic grades are compatible with non-ionic and cationic binder systems, making them the first choice for primers for e.g., textile inks.

Overview of new AERODISP® dispersions:

AERODISP® WR 8520 – anionic, SiO2-based

AERODISP® W 7520 WF – anionic, SiO2-based, excellent food contact status

AERODISP® WK 7330 – cationic, SiO2-based

AERODISP® W 630 – cationic, Al2O3-based, for high transparency

“We offer a comprehensive range of wetting agents for waterborne inkjet inks. Working with our customers, we have seen how important the substrate is. Ink receptive coatings, or inkjet primers, can ensure the highest resolution when formulated with our new AERODISP® dispersions,” says Susanne Struck, Global Head of Market Segment Inks at Evonik Coating Additives.

Evonik Coating Additives offers a broad range of products and services for inks, along with a wide selection of additives for waterborne, radiation-curable, and solvent-borne printing inks and inkjet inks.

source:Evonik

Construction begins on Greensand’s CO₂ transit terminal at Port Esbjerg. The first gateway for Carbon storage in the EU

Groundbreaking marks key milestone for Carbon Capture and Storage

establishing Denmark as a European hub for safe and permanent CO₂ storage.

“This is a key milestone for Greensand and an important step in creating the EU’s first full CCS value chain. Carbon capture and storage will be critical to achieving climate targets. Today’s groundbreaking sends a clear signal to carbon capture projects across Denmark and Europe that we are moving forward,” says Mads Gade, CEO, INEOS Energy Europe.

The terminal will feature six large holding tanks, each capable of storing approximately 1,000 tonnes of liquefied CO₂ to be shipped for permanent storage in the Greensand reservoir. The site will also include the necessary infrastructure for offloading and shipping CO₂.

“The new terminal in Esbjerg unlocks the development of CCS in both Denmark and Europe. For us at the port, this is just the beginning of a new reality where CCS will play an increasingly important role,” says Dennis Jul Pedersen, CEO of Port of Esbjerg.

Today, construction starts on Greensand’s Carbon Dioxide transit terminal at Port Esbjerg in Denmark. Once operational, the terminal will be a critical component in what is expected to become the EU’s first CO₂ storage facility aimed at mitigating climate change.

Construction in Port Esbjerg is expected to complete in the Autumn this year, at which point INEOS Energy will take over the operation the first gateway for CCS logistics in EU, on behalf of the Greensand consortium.

Greensand has secured liquefied CO₂ from several Danish biogas plants. Once captured, the CO₂ will be transported by truck to the terminal in Esbjerg, where it will be temporarily stored.

When the tanks are full, the liquefied CO₂ will be loaded onto a dedicated carrier from Royal Wagenborg and shipped to the #INEOS Nini platform in the Danish North Sea. From there, it will be safely injected via pipeline into subsurface reservoirs approximately 1,800 meters beneath the seabed for permanent storage.

Denmark's leading role in climate solutions and green jobs

In December 2024, INEOS and its partners Harbour Energy and Nordsøfonden made the Final Investment Decision (FID) to launch the commercial phase of Greensand. This paves the way for expected investments of over DKK 1 billion to scale the storage capacity across the CCS value chain.

With plans to initiate offshore injection at the end of 2025 or beginning of 2026, Greensand is set to become the EU’s first operational CO₂ storage site designed to mitigate climate change.

The European Commission estimates that by 2040, the EU will need to store 250 million tonnes of CO₂ annually to meet the Paris Agreement targets. CCS is also considered a key technology for reaching Denmark’s 2045 net-zero goals.

source: INEOS

SK Chemicals unveils plans for new Recycle Innovation Center at its Ulsan plant

Korea-based SK chemicals has announced plans to build a new recycling centre at its Ulsan plant. The project marks the establishment of the company’s first depolymerisation technology-based recycling centre in the country.

Using sophisticated chemical decomposition technology, the new Recycling Innovation Center (RIC) will produce recyclable plastic raw materials (r-BHET) from waste plastics. Set to open in 2026, the pilot facility will produce 50 tons of r-BHET each year from various types of low-quality waste plastics such as fibres, films, and automotive parts that were previously difficult to recycle using conventional methods. Textiles are known to be especially challenging due to the mix of materials commonly encountered in clothing - from polyester yarn to other fibres such as cotton, and various accessories like buttons.

At the Ulsan plant, SK chemicals’ RIC will integrate research and production, covering everything from circular recycled raw materials (r-BHET) to circular recycled materials, supported by a polymerisation pilot that produces a circular recycled PET and a commercial production facility capable of mass-producing circular recycled copolyester.

In creating the RIC, SK chemicals aims to provide flexible solutions to meet the diverse recycling requirements of such sectors as the automotive, electronics, and fashion industry. The goal is to accelerate the implementation of a Closed Loop system, keeping plastics in circulation in the production cycle.This pioneering effort is set to redefine the future of resource circulation for plastic materials.

As Ahn Jae-hyun, CEO of SK chemicals, explained: "Establishing an integrated research and production system from recycled raw materials to recycled plastics will be a crucial turning point in accelerating innovation in the plastic ecosystem's circular recycling. Through close cooperation with companies in food and beverage, automotive, electronics, and fashion sectors, we will develop comprehensive resource circulation systems for each industry.

#SKchemicals has a strong track record of innovation in recycling: In 2021, it was the first globally to commercialise circular recycled copolyester using chemically recycled raw materials and the first in Korea to supply circular recycled PET (2022). The company has also established a solid production base for recycled waste plastic business by acquiring a stake in the Chinese company Shuye Environmental Technology and establishing SK chemicals Shantou.

source:SK Chemicals/sustainableplastics.com

 

New GRECO project on greener and safer bioplastics for food packaging

The new Horizon Europe-funded GRECO project provides innovative biobased, biodegradable and recyclable food packaging based on novel PLA copolymers, functional coatings, additives and green catalysts. GRECO aims to demonstrate the life cycle and techno-economic feasibility of greener and safer bioplastics value chains for the food packaging sector, based on a safe and sustainable-by-design strategy.

The GRECO project kick-off will take place in Valencia, at AIMPLAS on 16-17 June 2025. European Bioplastics and its members, including TotalEnergies Corbion, AIMPLAS, and INNOTECH COEXPAN-EMSUR, are among the 22 partners that have joined forces to develop and implement “Innovative biobased, biodegradable, recyclable, safe, and circular food packaging” under the lead of the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki (AUTH).

Dimitrios Bikiaris (AUTH), GRECO coordinator, indicates that “The GRECO project aligns with the new Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation by developing biobased, biodegradable, and recyclable PLA copolymers for food packaging. Our goal is to create sustainable and circular solutions that reduce waste and environmental impact.

At a demonstrative scale and in the real operational environment, GRECO will design, demonstrate and scale up food packaging materials (e.g., flexible and rigid applications for cheese, processed meat, fresh meat, berries, and nuts) that can meet diverse application needs, preventing moisture and aroma loss and increasing shelf life.

AIMPLAS is contributing to several tasks in GRECO. “We are particularly excited to implement reactive extrusion (REX) as a green chemistry technology for developing tailor-made and safe-and-sustainable-by design PLA-based copolymers for the food packaging sector, scaling them up to TRL 7”, said Belén Monje, leading researcher on Sustainable Chemistry. “Specifically, the contribution on the development of PLA- copolymers by reactive extrusion and on the production of additives by mechanochemistry is novel and groundbreaking and will make it possible to achieve more sustainable, biobased, recyclable and biodegradable PLA-compounds and coatings.

Novel PLA copolymers will be developed and optimised with the modelling tools to drive the design of the polymers to improve the biodegradability, performance, production rates, yield, and quality in an iterative strategy.

“As part of GRECO, TotalEnergies Corbion is contributing to the development of new PLA copolymers that deliver improved packaging performance and functionality, while boosting recyclability and biodegradability”, said Jenifer Mitja from TotalEnergies Corbion. She added: Significantly reducing carbon footprints, PLA’s versatility, biobased origin, and wide industrial availability make it a key enabler in addressing the performance and sustainability requirements set by the new Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation.

source: AIMPLAS

Infusion: Testia automates the monitoring of manufacturing processes

Generated using linear sensors to detect process deviations at an early stage, In-line Infusion Monitoring’s real-time information can be used to guarantee high-quality parts, reduce process development time and automate controls.

Unlike its competitors, the solution developed by Testia does not use point sensors: it evaluates the progress of the flow using linear sensors that enable spatially resolved data to be interpreted.

The solution is available in 2 versions: a portable device for process development and an embedded system for integration within industrial processes. These different versions meet the needs of different customers, whether in research and development, process industrialisation or mass production.

‘Our sensors are designed to operate in combination with all standard fibre, resin and tooling materials, and to withstand temperatures of up to 200°C. They can therefore be used in a wide range of industries, including aerospace, wind energy, marine, transport and automotive,’ says Christopher Buchmann, product manager for In-line Infusion Monitoring. He also points out that Testia offers ‘linear sensors from as little as 0.1mm, which reduces the effect on the infusion process to a minimum’.

A customisable solution that enables digitalisation in production

The In-line Infusion Monitoring technology package combines the monitoring device with a software framework to enable intuitive interpretation of the recorded data. This configuration provides the operator with real-time information on the position of the flow front, which is easy to interpret and enables the manufacturing process to be adapted according to the data measured.

Testia offers different sensor geometries depending on the application. Specially designed components will be available for different applications, such as vacuum-tight connectors for LRI processes and feedthroughs with increased pressure resistance for RTM processes. The focus is also on tooling for integrated sensors, which are particularly attractive for industrial applications because of their low recurring costs. Cables of various lengths will complete the product range, ensuring a highly versatile application.

‘We see our technology as a catalyst for the digitalisation of production, because the digital interfaces can also be customised,’ adds Christopher Buchmann. ‘This means that the system can be easily integrated into our customers’ production lines.

Among the early adopters, Axel Herrmann, CEO of CTC GmbH, said: ‘In RTM processes, small deviations can have a big impact. Thanks to the In-line Infusion Monitoring technology, we can monitor in real time whether the process is proceeding as planned and optimise the infusion strategy accordingly.’

source:jeccomposites.com

Cover photo: In-line infusion monitoring SF16 (source: Testia)