Hyundai Nexo Surge: 6,767 Contracts Signal a Hydrogen Mobility Game-Changer

Seoul has always been South Korea’s showpiece for next-gen transportation, and now hydrogen is stealing the spotlight. With cities everywhere racing to cut emissions, the all-new Hyundai Nexo—a second-generation FCEV (Hydrogen Fuel Cell Vehicle) and true Zero-Emissions SUV is reigniting excitement about clean driving. Generous subsidies, a beefed-up network of rapid-fill stations, and savvy public-private collaborations mean Seoul and its neighbors are staking their claim as global pioneers in South Korea Hydrogen Mobility.

Why the FCEV Comeback Feels Different

When Hyundai Motor Company rolled out the revamped Hyundai Nexo in June 2025, nobody saw the surge coming. In just three months, buyers snapped up an eye-popping 6,767 contracts—more than four times what the original model managed back in 2018. This isn’t a flash in the pan; it’s proof drivers are seriously fired up about hydrogen again. July alone saw 1,001 units sold, hitting that 1,000 mark for the first time since November 2022.

Under the Hood: Power and Perks

As a modern FCEV, the updated Nexo isn’t just easy on the eyes—it backs it up where it counts. Its 150 kW front electric motor and three high-pressure hydrogen tanks give you a real-world range of up to 720 km on a single fill and blast from 0 to 100 km/h in just 7.8 seconds. Better yet, topping up takes only about five minutes—almost the same as a gas car. Inside, you’ll find a sweeping curved display and digital side mirrors, delivering that premium touch drivers love in a high-end SUV.

Fueling a Broader Hydrogen Ecosystem

The buzz around the Nexo isn’t just about sales—it’s supercharging an entire hydrogen network. Thanks to the national hydrogen roadmap, subsidies are sweetening vehicle deals, over 100 fast-fill stations are popping up, and automakers, energy firms, and local governments are teaming up. Each time you swing by to top off your Nexo, you tap into a lineup of electrolyzer makers, storage experts, and green-hydrogen producers. Together, they’re driving costs down and bolstering hydrogen’s green credentials—so every kilometer counts toward our decarbonization goals.

Peeking Into a Hydrogen-Powered Tomorrow

After peaking at 10,164 units in 2022, first-gen Nexo sales dipped to 4,200 in 2023 and 2,700 in 2024. This fresh surge is more than just numbers—it speaks to South Korea’s drive to lead the world in hydrogen adoption and Hyundai’s commitment to alternative propulsion. Watching this momentum build gives us a real glimpse of what’s next in sustainable mobility—where hydrogen fuel cells stand shoulder-to-shoulder with battery electrics, handing drivers a genuine choice in the zero-emissions era.

source : Hydrogen Fuel News

Today's KNOWLEDGE Share : Carbon nanotubes replace metal coils for ultra-lightweight electric motors

Today's KNOWLEDGE Share

Carbon nanotubes replace metal coils for ultra-lightweight electric motors

Whether it's electric vehicles, drones, or spacecraft, a common technical challenge for future transportation is lightweighting.

Reducing the weight of a vehicle not only reduces energy consumption, but also increases battery efficiency and increases range. This is considered a key technology that is directly linked to sustainability, as it improves the performance of the system as a whole and thus contributes to reducing carbon emissions.

Electric motors in particular are an essential component of most electric mobility vehicles, and coils account for a large proportion of the total weight of the motor.

Until now, metals such as copper have been used as the main material for coils due to their high electrical conductivity, but it has been consistently pointed out that they have various limitations, such as difficulty in securing resources, price volatility, and weight problems due to high density.

Dr. Dae-Yoon Kim and his team at the Korea Institute of Science and Technology (KIST) Composite Materials Research Institute have succeeded in constructing the coil of an electric motor using only carbon nanotubes (CNTs) without any metals, and realizing it to the point where it can actually run.

The team conducted experiments by applying the coil made of CNTs to the motor and found that the revolutions per minute (RPM) of the motor could be stably controlled according to the input voltage. This demonstrates that the basic operation of a motor, which converts electrical energy into mechanical rotational force, can be accomplished without metal.

The work is published in the journal Advanced Composites and Hybrid Materials.

CNTs are one-dimensional tube-shaped nanomaterials with carbon atoms arranged in a hexagonal honeycomb structure, which are known to be much lighter than ordinary metals, while at the same time possessing excellent electrical conductivity, mechanical strength, and thermal conductivity.

These properties have long attracted attention as a next-generation material, but CNTs have faced a number of barriers to real-world industrial applications.

One of the technical obstacles is the residue of catalyst metals used during the manufacturing process. These remain as metallic particles on the surface of CNTs, degrading their electrical properties, which are directly related to motor performance, making it difficult to utilize CNTs in high-performance components.

The team has developed a new CNT purification process that utilizes the alignment principle of liquid crystals, a "fourth state of matter" known as the intermediate state between liquid and solid. The process naturally resolves strong aggregation during the alignment of CNTs, effectively removing metallic particles that remain on the surface.

Most importantly, it is able to selectively remove impurities without damaging the nanostructure of the CNTs, making it distinctly different from existing liquid- and gas-phase-based purification methods. The purified CNTs show a significant improvement in conductivity, which can be brought to a level that can be applied to actual electric motors.

"By developing a new concept of high-quality CNT technology that has never existed before, we were able to maximize the electrical performance of CNT coils to drive electric motors without metal," said Dr. Dae-Yoon Kim of KIST.

"Based on the innovation of CNT materials, we will take the lead in localizing materials such as conductive materials for batteries, pellicles for semiconductors, and cables for robots.

source : Phys Org / National Research Council of Science and Technology 

Unlocking Advanced Functionality for Smart Locks with Light Effect TPE

Smart lock systems are electronic alternatives to mechanical locks, operating without physical keys. They use technologies like PIN codes, fingerprint recognition, RFID cards, Bluetooth or Wi-Fi, and voice control to provide secure, convenient, and remote access in homes, offices, apartments, and vehicles. To make operation more intuitive, manufacturers use #thermoplasticelastomers (TPE), which simplify functions, improve control surfaces, and enhance visibility in low light, while keeping the locks reliable and easy to use.

#KRAIBURGTPE, a global manufacturer of TPEs and customized solutions for various industries, offers Light Effect #TPE, a light-transmissible material that creates an ambient glow. It combines aesthetics with performance and is suited for smart home devices, automotive interiors, and other electronic applications.

Illuminating features for function and style

KRAIBURG TPE’s Light Effect TPE is tailored for components that emit light, providing subtle backlighting and illuminated indicators to enhance user engagement and device intuitiveness. It allows soft, diffused light to pass through, making it ideal for lighting keypads, buttons, or keyholes in low light, signaling lock status, marking touch-sensitive areas, and adding lighting accents. Available in black and colored variants, it gives designers control over illumination levels for both functional and aesthetic purposes.

Reliable performance and versatile applications.

KRAIBURG TPE’s Light Effect TPE compounds have a density of 0.89 ± 0.03 g/cm³, a hardness of 60 ± 5 ShA, and offer a tensile strength of 10 MPa with 700% elongation, providing the flexibility and durability needed for demanding applications. The material is weather-resistant, UV-resistant, halogen-free (in accordance with IEC 61249-2-21), and maintains its performance and shape throughout its service life. It bonds well with polypropylene (PP), making it suitable for smart lock systems, interior car lighting, light panel covers, gaming accessories, display panels, household appliances, consumer electronics, and smart home devices. It can also be reused during production to promote a more sustainable manufacturing.

Soft touch for precision and control

KRAIBURG TPE’s Light Effect TPE has a soft-touch surface that gives smart lock devices a high-end, tactile finish. When used on frequently handled components, it improves comfort and control, resulting in smoother operation and a more polished device interface.

Sustainability from the get-go

At KRAIBURG TPE, sustainability is at the heart of our innovation. Our portfolio features bio-based TPEs and compounds with post-consumer (PCR) and post-industrial (PIR) recycled content. Selected TPEs carry GRS and ISCC PLUS certifications. We also provide Product Carbon Footprint (PCF) data on request to support sustainability decisions.

We have proudly earned the EcoVadis Gold Medal in 2025 and are committed to the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi), aligning our goals with global climate action.

From reducing emissions to increasing circularity, our sustainable TPEs deliver dependable performance and are available worldwide to help meet your applications while advancing your sustainability goals.

source : KRAIBURG TPE

US slaps full tariffs on PET and rPET imports, hitting Asian markets

In a significant policy shift, the #US has announced that imports of polyethylene terephthalate and recycled PET will now be subject to full tariffs, effective from Sept. 8, 2025.

This decision has raised significant concerns within the Southeast Asian and South Asian rPET markets, which had previously benefited from tariff exemptions. The recycled PET material does not hold a separate HS code and shares the same HS code as the virgin counterpart.

According to a document released by the White House Sept. 5, HS codes 3907.61.00 and 3907.69.00, which pertain to various forms of #PET, have been added to Annexure 1. This means that goods entered for consumption or withdrawn from warehouses after 12:01 am EDT, three days following the announcement, will incur these new tariffs. Traders and exporters are already expressing concern that the move will significantly alter trade dynamics, particularly for Indian exporters who have relied on local recyclers to meet US demand.

The announcement comes as a surprise to many in the #rPET/PET trading community, who had expected these materials to continue to be categorized under Annexure II, which did not impose tariffs. As a result, traders from India, Indonesia, Thailand and Vietnam are now grappling with the implications. One Indian trader reported rerouting a cargo already en route to the US to Europe, while others predict that demand for rPET from Southeast Asia will decline. The impact is particularly pronounced for Indian-origin cargoes, which may face tariffs as high as 50%.

Adding to the pressure, US PET prices have dropped significantly in recent months, with the ex-works price for recycled PET clear flakes in Los Angeles assessed at a 15-month low of 50 cents/lb as of Sept. 5. Meanwhile, rPET FOB India clear #bottlegradeflakes were valued at $850/mt FOB India on Sept. 8.

source : S&P Global

Today's KNOWLEDGE Share : Temperature limitations for GRP

Today's KNOWLEDGE Share

The maximum allowable temperature is determined by the resin type and state of cure. Experience of typical GRP systems suggests the following maximum allowable temperatures (in air), depending on resin type as shown in the below table, The temperatures listed in this table are for initial guidance only.

The maximum allowable temperature for #GRP, however, may be considerably lower, depending on the aggressiveness of the specific fluid and its concentration. The minimum recommended temperature for GRP regardless of the #resinsystem is minus 40 °C although lower temperatures may be considered.

source : Abdelhakim Ismail Amer

Siemens Mobility and Stadler move closer to multi-billion train contract for Berlin

A consortium consisting of manufacturers and the national operator Deutsche Bahn (DB) has been selected as the winner of a tender to supply #trains and transport services for two-thirds of the city’s S-Bahn network in the German capital.

Subject to contract signing, DB will operate the lines for 15 years, while #SiemensMobility and #Stadler will deliver at least 1,400 cars together with 30 years of technical maintenance.

While no official announcement has been made, several German media outlets report that the consortium has received letters confirming its success. The other bidder, Alstom, has until 11 September to lodge an appeal.

The tender process, which began in August 2020, faced multiple delays, including legal challenges from Alstom. In early July, the German government allocated the required €15 bln for the project. The first trains are expected to enter service no earlier than the 2030s.

source : Rolling Stock

Today's KNOWLEDGE Share : Graphene Composites Unveils Ground-breaking Ballistic and Blast Protection Technology

Today's KNOWLEDGE Share

Graphene Composites Unveils Ground-breaking Ballistic and Blast Protection Technology

#GrapheneComposites (GC), an advanced materials specialist based at NETPark, has announced a significant development in ballistic and blast protection with the launch of its next-generation GC Shield® technology.

Commenting on the advancement, Sandy Chen, CEO of Graphene Composites, stated, “GC Shields are a major advancement in ballistic and blast protection to deliver unprecedented performance in both #vehiclermour and personal protection applications. This is not just a leap forward in #shieldtechnology; it is a foundational platform for the next generation of personal and tactical protection systems.”

Superior Blast and Ballistic Protection

Sedgefield, UK, 27 August 2025: Graphene Composites has developed next-generation ballistic and blast protection through its GC Shield® technology, designed to provide advanced defence solutions.

Highly Effective Vehicle Armour Protection

The GC RF2 Shield achieves STANAG 4569/AEP-55 Level 1 standards for superior blast and ballistic resistance in #armouredvehicles. It delivers up to 30 percent weight reduction compared with conventional vehicle armour. The technology demonstrates exceptional capability to disperse and reflect impact force, making it highly effective against blast threats.

Enhanced Ballistic Shield Protection

As a ballistic shield exceeding NIJ Level III standards, the GC RF2 offers protection against advanced threats including the 5.56 x 45mm M855 ‘green tip’ round and the 5.45 x 39mm 7N6 ‘poison bullet’ round. Engineered to be lighter than competing designs, the RF2 enhances mobility while maintaining a high level of protection. The shield withstands multiple shots, including stacked and edge rounds, without spalling or ricochet. Its improved force dispersion reduces back-face deformation, further increasing safety.

Tactical Flexibility

Beyond individual protection, the GC Shield incorporates a modular design that enables the formation of a Shield Wall in under five seconds. Its lightweight construction supports rapid deployment without diminishing defensive capability. This adaptability provides operational advantages for both special operations units and defensive position setups.

Reiterating the significance of the innovation, Sandy Chen, CEO of Graphene Composites, commented, “GC Shields are a major advancement in ballistic and blast protection to deliver unprecedented performance in both vehicle armour and personal protection applications. This is not just a leap forward in shield technology; it is a foundational platform for the next generation of personal and tactical protection systems.

source : Advanced Carbons Council / Graphene Composites