Today's KNOWLEDGE Share : Designing for Circularity with SpunMelt PLA

Today's KNOWLEDGE Share

Designing for Circularity with SpunMelt PLA – Sustainability Without Compromise

In air filtration systems, SpunMelt multilayer structures are commonly used, where spunbond layers provide mechanical strength and meltblown layers deliver fine filtration performance. Traditionally, this functionality comes with a trade-off: the use of different materials for different layers, making the structure difficult to recycle.

What if we could deliver the same high performance using just one material

without compromising recyclability, and with a significantly carbon footprint reduction?

Now we can. At TotalEnergies Corbion, we're proud to introduce a mono-material PLA solution using:

- Luminy® L130 for the spunbond layers

- Newly introduced Luminy® L040 for the meltblown layer

Together, they enable:

- High-performance SpunMelt nonwovens for air filtration

- 100% biobased, industrially compostable, and recyclable structures

- Up to 85% carbon footprint reduction compared to conventional plastics — even carbon-neutral or negative when using Luminy® rPLA

This is design for circularity in action — transforming complex, multi-material systems into recyclable mono-material solutions that deliver on both performance and sustainability.

source: Hao Ding

#bioplastics #PLA #LuminyPLA #Nonwovens #SpunMelt

Today's KNOWLEDGE Share : Teijin Group’s Biomass-derived Polycarbonate Resin Pipe

 Today's KNOWLEDGE Share

Teijin Group’s Biomass-derived Polycarbonate Resin Pipe Adopted for Pipe Organ to Be Exhibited at Expo 2025 Osaka, Kansai, Japan

 Teijin Limited announced today that pipes molded from its biomass-derived polycarbonate (PC) resin have been adopted for use in the world’s first pipe organ made from bioplastic. The transparent pipes were manufactured by Teiyo Co., Ltd., a Teijin Group company specializing in plastic molding. This innovative pipe organ will be exhibited at the “Reborn Challenge” area within the Osaka Healthcare Pavilion during the Expo 2025 Osaka, Kansai, Japan, scheduled for August 19-25.

The bioplastic pipe organ was created by a consortium of eight plastic molding companies1 that are participating in the “REBORN with Bioplastics” project organized by the West Japan Plastic Products Industrial Association. It serves as a symbolic demonstration of how the plastics industry’s technologies and ideas can contribute to solving global environmental challenges such as climate change and marine plastic pollution. At the request of the participating companies, the plastic pipes for the organ were manufactured by Teiyo using biomass-derived PC resin that is produced by Teijin using the mass balance approach. 2 In addition to the sustainability benefits of the biomassderived PC resin, Teiyo’s advanced molding technology, which enables the production of pipes in various lengths and diameters, was a key factor in their selection for the pipe organ. Teijin Group continues to provide solutions that reduce environmental impact, aiming to become “a company that supports the future of society” as outlined in its long-term vision. Through these efforts, Teijin is committed to contributing to the realization of a sustainable society.

source: Teijin

The LNG Storage Tank Project Signed by SEG Guangzhou Hits a Major Mileston

 The LNG Storage Tank Project Signed by SEG Guangzhou Hits a Major Milestone

The LNG storage tank project signed by #SinopecEngineeringGroup (SEG) Guangzhou hit a major milestone recently. Its steel dome has been successfully lifted to a predetermined position in gas lifting operation, completing the main structure of the outer tank and paving the way to start the work inside the tank. This marks the largest LNG storage tank dome gas lifting operation fulfilled by a #Chinese company in North Africa. As a vital project in Algeria's national energy strategy, the #LNGstorage project is a testament to the deepening cooperation in petroleum refining between China and Algeria. 

source : Sinopec

Arterex Adds Medical Extrusion Expertise to Portfolio

Global medical device developer and contract manufacturer Arterex officially announced today that it has acquired Xponent Global Inc., a supplier of extruded tubing for the medical industry.

Operating eight extrusion lines across 55,000-square-feet of manufacturing space, including a Class 8 cleanroom, Xponent Global provides precision filaments, over-the-wire extrusion, and single- and multi-lumen, tapered, and para tubing for a range of medical applications, including neurological and laparoscopic devices.

Founded in 1937, Xponent Global brings more than 80 years of expertise to the company, said Arterex North America President Bill Gerard. “With this acquisition, we can serve the extrusion needs of our North American customers locally at the highest global industry standards,” he noted.

Medical tubing market growing at 8.5% CAGR:

The global medical tubing market is projected to grow at a compound annual rate of 8.5%, reaching a value of $19.5 billion by 2023, according to a market report from Grand View Research. North America historically has accounted for the largest revenue share and is forecast to remain the dominant market although Asia Pacific is the fastest growing region, according to the report. The acquisition of Xponent Global gives Arterex a foothold in this market. Its portfolio of companies includes PVC compounder Modenplast, injection molders Formula Plastics, Micromold, and Luc & Bell, among other suppliers to the medtech sector.

Initially a producer of extruded plastic tape coverings for cable used by the US Navy, Xponent Global currently serves the medical industry with 1- to 3-inch-diameter extruders, along with secondary machining capabilities such as inline printing, stamping, cutting, slitting, punching, flaring, and downstream packaging. ISO Class 8 cleanroom extrusion allows the processing of high-quality products that can be supplied in bulk form or further processed into finished assemblies, the company said.

Manufacturing base spans four continents:

Arterex operates 14 state-of-the-art manufacturing facilities across the US, Mexico, Italy, Egypt, and India, and it employs more than 2,000 people. It offers a range of services to medical device OEMs, including design and development, engineering, compounding, extrusion, injection molding, tooling and mold builds, and advanced assembly.

source: Plastics Today

Henkel showcases recyclable and CO₂-reducing adhesives

From recyclable pressure-sensitive adhesives (PSAs) to the in-house Henkel Packaging recyclab: At Labelexpo Europe 2025 in Barcelona, Henkel Adhesive Technologies will be demonstrating how companies can use advanced adhesive solutions to comply with the requirements of the EU packaging regulation PPWR and actively shape future-proof packaging design. From September 16 to 19, the company will be presenting its products at the world's largest trade fair for label and packaging printing technologies in Hall 4, Stand 4C56, with a focus on two key topics: recyclability and CO₂ reduction along the entire value chain.

Recycling starts with the adhesive: End-of-life solutions for labels

Henkel is showcasing its recyclable PSAs at the trade show, under the theme “Enabling Circularity in Labels – with Adhesives & Coatings.” Developed to improve circularity in label applications, these adhesives support companies in meeting the requirements of the EU Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR) early on. They include wash-off PSAs for PET bottles, which can be removed without any residue even at low temperatures; among these is Aquence PS 3017 RE, which won the FINAT Sustainability Award 2024. In addition, the company is showcasing repulpable adhesives for paper labels that completely dissolve in the recycling process.

Henkel is also bringing in its expertise from the Henkel Packaging recyclab, located at the Henkel Inspiration Center Düsseldorf (ICD). The in-house test center allows packaging designs to be tested under realistic conditions and evaluated in accordance with applicable guidelines. In doing so, Henkel not only supports its partners in fulfilling regulatory requirements such as the PPWR, but also in designing packaging holistically and sustainably from the very beginning.

Saving energy, increasing performance: Technologies for CO₂ reduction

#Henkel is also showcasing high-performance solutions for #CO₂reduction: specially developed #PSAadhesive solutions that are ideal for linerless label applications. As they do not require a liner, they reduce the amount of material used and increase process efficiency in label printing. In addition, UV-curable PSA adhesives stand out not only for their high energy efficiency, but also for their excellent resistance to heat, chemicals, and environmental influences. These properties make them ideal for demanding label and tape applications, such as in the medical sector or the graphics industry.

“The coming years will bring fundamental changes for the labeling and packaging industry. Companies aiming to remain competitive must address sustainability, performance and regulation as a whole and work with partners from the industry to overcome the challenges.

source : Henkel

BMW CEO backs hydrogen as Europe’s strategic opportunity

 BMW CEO backs hydrogen as Europe’s strategic opportunity - but says all tech must stay on the table 🇩🇪🚙⚡️

BMW Group CEO Oliver Zipse has doubled down on the firm’s long-standing multi-tech strategy, telling investors that “there is no single answer” to decarbonising the car.

Speaking during the company’s half-year results call, he argued that hydrogen could offer Europe a vital industrial advantage in the transition to net zero - and warned that dependence on a single drivetrain technology could ultimately damage the industry.

“Hydrogen, for example, offers Europe an opportunity to use our expertise and take the lead on an emerging technology that will contribute to our climate goals,” Zipse said. “And, unlike BEVs, without the need for large amounts of raw materials or battery technology which are not localisable at large scale in Europe.”

It’s not a new message from BMW, but it comes at a time of growing tension in European industrial and transport policy, with critics warning that heavy-handed regulation risks forcing the continent into a battery-only corner while China tightens its grip on key minerals and cell production.

BMW remains one of the few major automakers still actively developing hydrogen fuel cell vehicles for passenger use.

Its iX5 Hydrogen demonstrator fleet is currently running in global pilot trials ahead of a planned production model later this decade, developed jointly with Toyota.

Zipse made no mention of a firm launch date, but BMW has previously confirmed a hydrogen SUV will arrive before the end of the decade, sometime in 2028, using NEUE KLASSE architecture and sixth-gen fuel cell tech.

A hedge, and a warning

Zipse's support for hydrogen is part of a broader call for policy realism. He welcomed moves to reduce tariffs between the EU and US but used the occasion to press for more technology-neutral regulation - including a rethink of Europe’s post-2030 tailpipe rules.

“The most effective strategic approach is to use all technologies to reduce CO₂ emissions overall,” he said. “To achieve these goals and create effective CO₂ regulations, we must take a comprehensive view across the entire value chain... not just tailpipe emissions.”

He cited hydrogen and renewable drop-in fuels like HVO100 as viable pathways that could deliver climate benefits today, especially across Europe’s existing vehicle fleet.

But he stressed that clear regulatory frameworks are needed to make alternative fuels a serious part of the decarbonisation mix - not just compliance footnotes.

The risk, he implied, is that policymakers prioritising single solutions - namely battery-electric - could...

Read the full article for free:

https://h2.news/bmweuh2

source: Driving Hydrogen

#BMW #OliverZipse #BEV #Hydrogen

Today's KNOWLEDGE Share : Graphene Classification Framework now published as an ISO Technical Specification!

Today's KNOWLEDGE Share

Graphene Classification Framework now published as an ISO Technical Specification!

After much hard work over several years and input from more than 100 subject matter experts, the Graphene Classification Framework has now been officially published as an ISO Technical Specification:

ISO/TS 9651:2025 (https://lnkd.in/eMhSSakk)

Nanotechnologies — Classification framework for graphene‐related 2D materials

This document specifies the characteristics and their respective measurement methods of graphene-related 2D materials in sheet and particle forms for commercial applications.

The classification framework includes:

a)      relevant material characteristics for commercial use;

b)      identification of applicable measurement methods;

c)      a range of the characteristic measured values when applicable;

d)      syntax to guide consistent naming and descriptions;

e)      an applicable technical data sheet template.

The Graphene Council (now the Advanced Carbons Council) started this initiative because we felt it was a critical step for the widespread commercialization of graphene and related 2D materials.

The Graphene Classification Framework helps to create transparency in the market and to provide confidence to end users and buyers of graphene materials from producers that follow this technical specification, and that have had their materials tested and characterized properly.

For more information about getting your materials tested by the Advanced Carbons Council and to get an ISO/TS 9651:2025 compliant Technical Data Sheet for your graphene, visit:

https://lnkd.in/e7WhA78Z

source: Terrance Barkan