Today's KNOWLEDGE Share : 𝗡𝘂𝗰𝗹𝗲𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻, 𝗰𝗿𝘆𝘀𝘁𝗮𝗹𝗹𝗶𝘇𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻, 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝘀𝗵𝗿𝗶𝗻𝗸𝗮𝗴𝗲 𝗰𝗼𝗻𝘁𝗿𝗼𝗹 𝗱𝘂𝗿𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗶𝗻𝗷𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗺𝗼𝗹𝗱𝗶𝗻𝗴

Today's KNOWLEDGE Share

𝗡𝘂𝗰𝗹𝗲𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻, 𝗰𝗿𝘆𝘀𝘁𝗮𝗹𝗹𝗶𝘇𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻, 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝘀𝗵𝗿𝗶𝗻𝗸𝗮𝗴𝗲 𝗰𝗼𝗻𝘁𝗿𝗼𝗹 𝗱𝘂𝗿𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗶𝗻𝗷𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗺𝗼𝗹𝗱𝗶𝗻𝗴

In injection molding of semi-crystalline polymers, 𝗰𝗿𝘆𝘀𝘁𝗮𝗹𝗹𝗶𝘇𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗯𝗲𝗴𝗶𝗻𝘀 𝗮𝘁 𝗻𝘂𝗰𝗹𝗲𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝘀𝗶𝘁𝗲𝘀 — small points where polymer chains start to arrange into ordered structures.

The way nucleation and crystallization happen directly affects shrinkage, part dimensions, and mechanical properties.

How holding pressure and cooling influence crystallization:

𝗗𝘂𝗿𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗵𝗼𝗹𝗱𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗽𝗿𝗲𝘀𝘀𝘂𝗿𝗲, the polymer is still soft and partly molten.

Applying pressure for a longer time keeps the melt dense and delays the formation of nucleation sites, because it reduces the space available for crystals to start growing.

However, once the temperature drops close to the crystallization point, nucleation starts anyway, and the effect of pressure becomes smaller.

The influence of holding pressure on crystallization depends on how much pressure is applied, how long it is maintained, and how much heat is transferred from the melt to the mold surface.

𝗗𝘂𝗿𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗰𝗼𝗼𝗹𝗶𝗻𝗴, the polymer changes structure quickly.

As the material cools below the crystallization temperature, nucleation speeds up — especially near the surface of the part, where the hot polymer is in direct contact with the colder mold steel, causing rapid heat transfer and faster solidification.

𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗿𝗺𝗮𝗹 𝗴𝗿𝗮𝗱𝗶𝗲𝗻𝘁 — the temperature difference between the surface and the center of the part plays a big role:

Fast cooling at the surface creates many small nucleation points, leading to a fine crystalline structure. This usually gives higher stiffness but lower impact resistance.

Slower cooling in the center allows larger crystals to grow, which improves impact resistance but slightly reduces stiffness.

In the end, everything comes back to temperature control.

Even the influence of holding pressure is tied to temperature — it affects how quickly nucleation sites form, depending on the pressure level, the time of application, and the speed of heat transfer between the material and the mold.

For good part quality, it is most important to optimize cooling, manage thermal gradients, and apply holding pressure correctly to balance shrinkage, internal stresses, and mechanical properties.

Note: image source — https://lnkd.in/dwPBmpmg.

source: Krstina Jankovic

Twaron® by Teijin Aramid powers new Bridgestone’s solar car tire

Twaron® by Teijin Aramid powers new Bridgestone’s solar car tire

Twaron® with circular content is playing a key role in one of the world’s most advanced solar cars as it faces an extreme real-world test of endurance. The Brunel Solar Team will compete in the 2025 Bridgestone World Solar Challenge using Bridgestone tires featuring belts reinforced using Twaron® with circular content. 

This marks the first time Twaron® with circular content is being used in a high-performance race tire. The material offers the same trusted strength, thermal stability, and low weight as standard Twaron®, while supporting our ambition to create a more circular aramid value chain. 

Twaron® with circular content applied to Bridgestone’s tire

The tires for the 2025 Bridgestone World Solar Challenge will once again feature ENLITENTM technology, building on the success of the previous event. Developed through close collaboration with partners, Bridgestone has enhanced both the tire’s performance and environmental performance by incorporating additional recycled resources and applying a new version of Twaron® containing circular content in the belt layer. 

These combined technologies contribute to the low rolling resistance, durability, lightweight construction, and puncture resistance required for solar car racing. Together, they help support the safe and efficient 3,000-kilometer journey across the challenging conditions of the Australian outback. 

Teijin Aramid sponsors Brunel Solar Team

As an official sponsor of the Brunel Solar Team, we are proud to contribute high-performance materials that support both vehicle efficiency and safety. The team’s Nuna 13 car uses Bridgestone tires featuring belts reinforced using Twaron® with circular content. Inside the vehicle, a flame-resistant shield made with Twaron® fabric has been installed around the driver area to provide strength, thermal stability, and low weight under demanding race conditions.

Supporting Brunel’s bid in the World Solar Challenge

Spanning more than 3,000 kilometers from Darwin to Adelaide, the Bridgestone World Solar Challenge is the world’s leading solar mobility competition. The Brunel Solar Team, based at Delft University of Technology, has achieved multiple victories since its debut in 2001. In 2025, the team will compete in the Challenger Class with its latest solar car, Nuna 13.

“Seeing these two types of Twaron® being used in this solar race car is a powerful example of how our partnerships, be they with large corporations or student teams, really drive progress. This project brings together innovation and sustainability to further our goal of materializing ambitions.” 

Peter ter Horst, CEO, Teijin Aramid  

source : Teijin Aramid

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