Covestro successfully completes aquisition of Pontacol

Covestro has successfully completed the acquisition of #Pontacol, a Swiss manufacturer of multilayer adhesive films, effective August 28, 2025. The company had already announced the agreement in June 2025.

With this acquisition, #Covestro is expanding its #films business to include highly specialized flat and #blownfilms. These products strategically complement the existing portfolio and open up new growth opportunities – particularly in key future markets such as #medical technology, mobility, and the textile industry, where global demand for functional films continues to rise.

As part of the transaction, two specialized production sites in Switzerland and Germany will transfer to Covestro. These facilities strengthen both the company’s global manufacturing network and the regional availability of adhesive films. In addition, complementary technologies, new customer relationships, and an expanded product portfolio create further value-creation potential.

Both parties have agreed not to disclose the purchase price. The financing will be through cash and is thus aligned with Covestro’s goal of maintaining a solid investment-grade rating. 

source : Covestro

Today's KNOWLEDGE Share : EU Project ShapingBio Offers Recommendations for a Competitive EU Bioeconomy

Today's KNOWLEDGE Share

EU Project ShapingBio Offers Recommendations for a Competitive EU Bioeconomy

To unlock the full potential of bio-based innovations, a new policy brief calls on the European Commission to standardise coordination in this area, strengthen funding and improve market conditions.

The EU-funded ShapingBio project has released a comprehensive policy brief outlining key recommendations to support the European Commission in creating an optimal framework for a sustainable and competitive European bioeconomy. The recommendations feed into the upcoming New EU Bioeconomy Strategy, expected to play a crucial role in advancing Europe’s transition towards a circular, climate-neutral economy.

The policy brief emphasizes the following urgent needs and provides practical recommendations on how to address them:

-->Stronger strategic cooperation across Member States and regions to unlock the EU’s full bioeconomy potential, by improving horizontal and vertical coordination and intensifying dialogues between actors from the fields of education, the economy, the natural environment, civil society and the political system

-->Improved access to financing across the innovation chain, helping companies scale from “lab to fab,” with funding conditions better aligned to innovators’ needs, funding instruments for activities on higher TRLs (Technology Readiness Level), and the expansion of public-private partnerships

-->Harmonised market conditions and demand-side policies to accelerate the deployment of all segments of bio-based products.

A thriving bioeconomy is central to tackling climate change, biodiversity loss, resource scarcity, and other major societal challenges. With its cross-sectoral scope, the bioeconomy provides sustainable alternatives to fossil-based systems and fosters innovation in areas such as food, materials, energy, and industrial processes.

The recommendations are based on extensive engagement with nearly 2,000 key bioeconomy stakeholders – including policymakers, industry leaders, researchers, and civil society representatives – through surveys, interviews, and 45 events held between 2022 and 2025.

Sven Wydra, coordinator of Business Unit Bioeconomy and Life Sciences at Fraunhofer ISI and coordinator of the ShapingBio project, underlines the importance of collective action: “Europe has strong assets in the bioeconomy – from diverse biomass resources to leading research and innovation. But fragmented strategies and uneven innovation capacities hold us back. To stay globally competitive and deliver on sustainability goals, we need coherent policies that promote stronger collaboration across all Member States, better financing, and the securing of Europe’s leadership in sustainable biomanufacturing. Our recommendations aim to ensure that Europe not only develops bio-based solutions, but also creates the right conditions for them to thrive.

The policy brief is only one of Shaping Bio’s publications, highlighting concrete steps for the European Commission, Member States, and other stakeholders to translate strategic goals into actionable measures. Comprehensive in-depth analyses, accompanied by more detailed recommendations, have been developed to take stock of the current state of the bioeconomy in all EU Member States, on policy and governance, applied R&D and technology transfer, cross-sectoral collaboration and financing. The full reports and recommendations are available online.

The ShapingBio project’s insights have been well received by the European Commission policy officers who are preparing the New EU Bioeconomy Strategy. With bio-based innovation at the heart of Europe’s Clean Industrial Deal and Circular Economy Action Plan, implementing these recommendations could strengthen Europe’s resilience, competitiveness, and sustainability in the decades ahead.

source : Fraunhofer Institute

Today's KNOWLEDGE Share : Challenges in Polymer Degradation

Today's KNOWLEDGE Share

Challenges in Polymer Degradation

a. Environmental Impact : One of the most significant challenges is the environmental impact of polymer degradation. Conventional plastics can take hundreds of years to decompose, leading to persistent pollution in landfills and oceans.

b. Material Performance :Degradation affects the mechanical and aesthetic properties of plastics. For example, degraded polymers can become brittle, discolored, and less effective in their intended applications.

c. Recycling : Polymer degradation complicates recycling efforts. Degraded polymers may have altered properties, making them less suitable for recycling into high-quality products.

d. Product Safety :In applications such as food packaging and medical devices, degradation can pose safety risks due to the release of harmful degradation products.

V. Solutions to Polymer Degradation

Addressing the challenges of polymer degradation requires a multi-faceted approach

Stabilizers:

Incorporating stabilizers, such as UV absorbers, antioxidants, and heat stabilizers, into polymers can significantly slow down the degradation process by neutralizing harmful factors.

Barrier Coatings:

Applying barrier coatings can protect polymers from environmental factors such as moisture and oxygen, thereby reducing degradation.

Blending and Copolymerization:

Blending polymers with other materials or creating copolymers can enhance their resistance to degradation. For example, adding UV-resistant polymers can improve the overall durability of the material.

Biodegradable Polymers:

Developing biodegradable polymers that decompose under specific environmental conditions can mitigate the environmental impact of plastic waste.

Advanced Recycling Techniques:

Advanced recycling techniques, such as chemical recycling, can break down degraded polymers into their monomers, which can then be used to create new, high-quality polymers.

VI. Future Directions in Polymer Degradation Research

Research in polymer degradation is focused on developing more sustainable and resilient materials. Some promising areas include:

Smart Polymers: Polymers that can self-heal or signal degradation, allowing for timely intervention.

Nanocomposites: Incorporating nanoparticles into polymers to enhance their stability and resistance to degradation.

Bio-based Polymers: Developing polymers from renewable sources that offer better degradation profiles and lower environmental impact.

Degradation Modeling: Advanced computational models to predict degradation behavior and optimize polymer formulations accordingly.

Polymer degradation is a critical aspect of the lifecycle of plastics, influencing their performance, environmental impact, and recyclability. By understanding the mechanisms and challenges associated with polymer degradation, the plastics industry can develop innovative solutions to enhance the durability and sustainability of polymer materials.

source : Plastics Technology

ABB and Citroniq target a world first with 100% bio-based polypropylene facility

-->Citroniq aims to build world’s first 100% biogenic full commerical-scale polypropylene plant, using corn-based ethanol feedstock to advance low-carbon plastics manufacturing

-->Under the supply agreement, ABB will provide integrated automation, electrification and digital technologies to enable an efficient operations facility in Nebraska, in the US

-->The project aims to strengthen domestic supply chains, create skilled jobs, support US manufacturing and reduce greenhouse gas emissions in the plastics industry

ABB has entered a supply agreement with Citroniq to provide advanced automation, electrification and digitalization solutions for a 100 percent biogenic polypropylene facility in Nebraska, US – aiming to be the world’s first full commercial-scale facility of its kind. Polypropylene is used for many everyday items society relies on, including food and beverage packaging, automotive parts, consumer goods and medical devices.

The facility is scheduled to start operating in 2029 and will produce fully certified biogenic polypropylene from the established corn-based ethanol industry in the US. Citroniq’s strategy is to create a more sustainable plastics manufacturing platform in the US and reduce emissions in the hard-to-abate plastics sector.

At full capacity, the three-plant platform is expected to have the potential to decarbonize the US domestic polypropylene production by 20 percent, according to Citroniq . The first facility will convert corn-based ethanol into polypropylene, capturing three million tonnes of CO₂ a year and permanently storing it as solid pellets.

“Our collaboration with ABB is a critical step to building an advanced world-class manufacturing facility that transforms the plastics industry,” said Mel Badheka, President and Co-Founder of Citroniq. “We worked with ABB from early on in the process due to their leadership in automation and their expertise, which is required for such a project.

Upon final investment decision, ABB will deliver its ABB Ability™ System 800xA® distributed control system, advanced process control, digital simulation, electrical equipment, instrumentation and engineering services to optimize design, delivery and operations at the plant.

“We are proud to collaborate on this complex project, bringing our technology and expertise to enable the development of a low-carbon manufacturing infrastructure in the US,” said Per Erik Holsten, President of ABB’s Energy Industries division. “Through our integrated automation and electrification solutions, we aim to help Citroniq achieve safe, efficient and reliable operations to support the decarbonization of a hard-to-abate sector.

source : ABB

Today's KNOWLEDGE Share : Why injection speed profiles matter more than a single “fast” setting.

Today's KNOWLEDGE Share

Why injection speed profiles matter more than a single “fast” setting.

Most people set one injection speed and call it done. But a single speed rarely works well across an entire cavity fill. The material doesn’t flow uniformly, the geometry changes, and the gate sees different pressures at different stages.

That’s why speed profiles matter. Early in the fill, you might want a slower speed to prevent jetting or trapped air. Once the flow front stabilizes, you can speed up to fill the bulk of the cavity efficiently. Near the end, slowing down again reduces shear and helps avoid flash or overpacking thin areas.

A good profile does a few things:

1. Reduces cosmetic issues like flow lines, splay, and gate blush.

2. Controls how the air vents out of the cavity, preventing burns.

3. Balances pressure across multiple cavities, especially family molds.

4. Lowers clamp load by avoiding a sudden spike in pressure.

When you run one constant speed, you’re forcing the same pressure and shear across every section of the cavity. It’s simple, but it often creates more variation than you realize.

So here’s a question: how often do you review your fill profile? Are you running the same “fast fill” setting because it works, or because it’s the only thing that’s been tried?

Speed profiles aren’t about overcomplication. They’re about controlling how the part fills so you’re not chasing defects later.

source : Roman Malisek

#InjectionMolding

Trelleborg Medical Expands Tooling, Molding, and Automation Capabilities

The contract development and manufacturing organization is moving its Innovation Center to a larger location to enhance in-house machining and molding services and provide customers with a full array of services under one roof.

To accommodate demand and accelerate design and development for its medtech customers, Trelleborg Medical Solutions is expanding its US-based Innovation Center.

Currently located in Plymouth, MN, the center will move to a new purpose-built space in nearby Delano and encompass more than 45,000 square feet.

Tool shop remodel

The project involves a remodel of the tool shop, which will expand its footprint to 6,000 square feet. It also includes nearly 40,000 square feet of new construction housing a visitor center, additional high-end Swiss machining, injection molding, and increased space for the automation laboratory.  

Part of Sweden-based #Trelleborg, which applies expertise in polymers to a range of applications, Trelleborg Medical Solutions sees its role as facilitating speed to market and ensuring high-quality, reliable supply of products and services to its customers. Business Unit President of Medical Device Solutions for the Americas, Kevin Ehlert explained the “investment enables Trelleborg to deliver on all aspects and provide an exceptional experience to our customers from early stage prototyping all the way to high-volume commercialization, all under one roof.

Collaborative, high-tech meeting space

Innovation Center and New Product Development Director Chris Tellers added that the “additional Swiss machining and injection molding will enhance our in-house capabilities to provide the highest quality components fast without relying on outside shops.

Meanwhile, increased space for automation provides scalability to support future projects, noted Tellers. “The visitor center will be a collaborative, high-tech meeting area where customers can brainstorm on project ideas alongside our experts. This remodel and expansion project enables us to continue doing that but on a larger scale, utilizing more equipment and experts added through our new apprenticeship program.

Four-year apprenticeship program launched

Trelleborg Medical Solutions launched a certified toolmaker apprenticeship program in May 2025. Apprentices learn to construct, troubleshoot, and repair molds, fixtures, and related tools under the guidance of experienced mentors in the course of the four-year program. Trelleborg will hire graduates as Toolmaker, Class B, or Machinist, with eligibility for promotion to Toolmaker, Class A.

Trelleborg Medical Solutions offers medical device OEMS design, development, and manufacturing services across the world. It operates several plants in the United States along with Germany, China, and Malta. A facility is scheduled to open in Costa Rica in the near future.

source : Plastics Today

Medical Manufacturing Technologies Adds Catheter Laser Bonding Specialist to Portfolio

Laser-bonding pioneer Innova Design Inc. has been acquired by #MedicalManufacturingTechnologies (MMT), a portfolio company of Arcline Investment Management. This acquisition further expands MMT’s suite of bonding technologies, continuing its commitment to delivering advanced solutions to medical device and industrial manufacturers worldwide, the company said in the announcement dated Aug. 22.

San Diego, CA–based Innova Design is credited with developing the first commercial #catheter #laserbonder in 2002. Now featuring its sixth generation of US-made laser bonders, Innova has been instrumental in producing millions of balloon catheters utilized in interventional #medical procedures across the globe. The company has established partnerships with medical device manufacturers in the United States, Ireland, Costa Rica, Brazil, Singapore, China, and Japan.

Common mission

“Today marks an important milestone as we welcome Innova Design to the MMT family,” commented MMT CEO Robbie Atkinson. “Innova’s innovative and pioneering spirit aligns perfectly with our mission to support global manufacturers with reliable, streamlined services and solutions. We look forward to harnessing our combined expertise to drive future innovations in the medical device industry and advance #healthcare worldwide.”

A single-source supplier for automated process-driven medical manufacturing based in Charlotte, NC, MMT’s portfolio of companies includes CathTip, Comco, Engineering by Design, FEPeeler, GenX Medical, Glebar, Innova Design, Interface Catheter Solutions, MMT Automation, MPT Europe, R&D Engineering, Somex Automation, Syneo, and Tridex Technology.

Safety innovations

MMT said that Innova’s laser bonder technology will complement its existing offerings, which include hot box and split die bonding solutions. The Innova laser bonder boasts superior ergonomics and innovative laser safety features — a motorized revolving safety door, enhanced air cooling, linear ball screw laser traverse, integrated diode pointer, beam shutter, and multiple sample holding system configurations.

Innova Design President and founder Adam Chen expressed enthusiasm about the partnership. “Innova Design is thrilled to partner with MMT to enhance bonding capabilities in the medical manufacturing space. As we continue to address the bonding needs of our customers, we are eager to leverage MMT’s resources to provide a comprehensive range of solutions to enhance manufacturing processes and boost productivity,” said Chen.

source : Plastics Today