Solvay advances worldwide circular silica strategy

Asian conversion marks a global shift toward sustainable sourcing, enabling tire makers to adopt circular materials at scale.

Solvay is accelerating its global circularity efforts by converting its highly dispersible silica (HDS) production in Asia to circular raw materials. As of 2026, plants in Qingdao (China) and Gunsan (South Korea) will adopt ISCC+ certified waste sand. This pivotal shift could enable over half of Solvay’s regional HDS capacity to become circular, directly supporting the tire industry's ambitious target of achieving 40%+ circular raw materials by 2030, with a worldwide rollout planned from 2026 onwards.

By replacing virgin raw materials with industrial waste, #Solvay develops technologies to reduce resource consumption and offers #tiremanufacturers a seamless, cost-effective, high-volume, drop-in circular #Zeosil® silica that requires no reformulation. 

This strategic move expands upon the successful conversion of Solvay’s Livorno (Italy) site, which uses rice husk ash, and reflects a coordinated, global approach to circular sourcing. It complements Solvay Silica’s broader sustainability roadmap, which includes implementing #lowemission technologies, such as electric furnaces, to reduce the product carbon footprint of #silica worldwide.

source : Solvay

Today's KNOWLEDGE Share : Envalior's Arnitel Powers Next-Gen Norda Trail Running Shoe

Today's KNOWLEDGE Share

Envalior's Arnitel Powers Next-Gen Norda Trail Running Shoe

The company's advanced polymer technology delivers 30% energy return boost in new 001A footwear application.

Envalior's high-performance #Arnitelpolymer technology will power Norda's next-generation trail running shoe, the 001A. The specialized thermoplastic material delivers performance advantages in the midsole, highlighting how advanced polymer science is revolutionizing athletic #footwear.

Envalior noted its proprietary Arnitel Performance blend achieves a 70.8% resilience rate in the 001A midsole boosting energy return by 30% compared to the previous Vibram SLE midsole. The material also enables weight reduction of 7% to 10% for the overall shoe, with the midsole itself 15% lighter while maintaining durability.

Arnitel Performance outperforms other midsole foam materials in rebound weighted by foam density," explained Andre Oosterlaken, product and market innovation manager for Arnitel at Envalior. "It exhibits extremely low energy loss after foaming, enhancing wear performance while ensuring reliable foot support during intense physical activities.

Increased rebound

The company noted the material demonstrates 17% higher rebound compared to #TPU alternatives while maintaining stable mechanical properties across temperature ranges a factor for trail running applications. Equally important for today's performance materials market, Arnitel-based #midsoles can be recycled and are available in low-carbon-footprint and bio-based grades.

Moreover, the company noted the 001A represents a comprehensive materials showcase, combining Envalior's Arnitel Performance midsole with a proprietary #biobasedDyneema and #recyclednylon weave upper that weighs under 90g/m² yet delivers over 3000 N tear strength. The shoe's foundation features a Vibram soleplate with Litebase and Megagrip technology.

"Partnering with Envalior to integrate Arnitel Performance into the 001A midsole allowed us to significantly increase rebound and reduce weight without sacrificing durability," said Nick Martire, co-founder and CEO of Norda.

The material technology has earned a reputation for balancing durability and comfort in sports shoes, offering a soft touch with lightweight structure and rubber-like strength and flexibility. #Envalior's Arnitel Performance ensures the midsoles maintain reliable performance for over 1,000 kilometers of use.

The #Norda 001A featuring Envalior's Arnitel Performance technology will be available to consumers in fall 2025.

source: David Hutton- Plastics Today

Elkem unlocks new mechanical recycling pathway for silicone rubber reinforcing circularity leadership

Elkem ASA, a world-leading provider of advanced silicon-based materials, announces another #silicone circularity breakthrough: the successful validation of a proof of concept for an innovative mechanical recycling process for #HighConsistencyRubbers (HCR).

The innovation enables the recycling of crosslinked #HCR waste and the reintroduction of the recycled material into new formulations. With re-incorporation rates exceeding 50% and excellent mechanical properties of the resulting material, #Elkem demonstrates how advanced material engineering can unlock scalable circular approaches for high-performance silicone elastomers that help reduce waste and #carbonfootprint, while meeting growing market demand for circular elastomer solutions.

This breakthrough demonstrates the power of purpose-driven innovation aligned with market expectations,” said Joséphine Munsch, R&T sustainability leader at Elkem. “After two years of development, we are proud to present a first proof of concept for mechanical recycling of HCR, opening the door to new industrial applications and reinforcing our ambition to leverage pragmatic, science-driven solutions to lead and accelerate the transition to a circular economy for silicones.

The innovation comes as an expansion to Elkem’s silicone #recycling strategy, now covering both chemical and mechanical recycling routes. The integration of several recycling approaches allows Elkem to tailor solutions based on waste type, carbon footprint goals, and desired product performance supporting our ambition to build a smart and efficient circular economy for silicones.

This development is one result of the open innovation project “RENOV” (Recycling & Reincorporation of #Elastomer Materials), whose goal is to develop technologies for the characterization and recycling of crosslinked elastomer waste, enabling optimal reintegration into formulations containing virgin elastomers for identical applications. It also aims to evaluate market acceptance for new materials such as mechanically recycled HCR to help pinpoint applications creating the most environmental and commercial benefits.

High Consistency Rubbers, also known as Heat Cured Rubbers or High Temperature Vulcanizing #siliconerubbers (HTV), exhibit exceptional mechanical strength, stability over time, and electrical insulation properties. They are chemically inert, nonflammable, and thermally stable at temperatures ranging from -120°C to beyond +300°C depending on the grade. These unique properties make them essential materials in a wide array of applications, including electric and hybrid vehicles, aerospace and defense equipment, medical tubes and catheters, temporary and long-term implants, electronic devices, kitchenware and other consumer applications.

source : Elkem

Mitsubishi Chemical and Honda Develop Recycled Acrylic Resin for N-ONE e: Door Visors

Mitsubishi Chemical Corporation and Honda Motor Co., Ltd. have collaborated to develop a recycled #PMMA (polymethyl methacrylate) material for the door visors of the new N-ONE e: mini-electric vehicle. This marks a first in the automotive industry for using recycled acrylic resin in door visors.

Recycling Process

Acrylic resin can be chemically recycled by converting it back into its raw material, MMA (methyl methacrylate), through thermal decomposition. Mitsubishi Chemical has been working with Microwave Chemical Co., Ltd. since 2021 to establish a microwave-based thermal decomposition recycling technology.

Challenges and Solutions

Recycling acrylic resin from end-of-life vehicles has been challenging due to unstable quality and unsuitability for reuse. To address this, #MitsubishiChemical, #Honda, and Hokkaido Auto Dismantler corporation conducted demonstration experiments to develop a #recycling technique that prevents foreign matter contamination and ensures quality equivalent to virgin acrylic resin.

Environmental Impact

The use of recycled acrylic resin in the N-ONE e: #doorvisors contributes to reducing #CO2emissions during manufacturing and disposal, promoting resource recycling and sustainability.

source : ChemXplore

Today's KNOWLEDGE Share : History of Polystyrene

Today's KNOWLEDGE Share

Polystyrene Accident Sparked Plastic Evolution

From its accidental discovery in a German apothecary shop in 1839 to becoming one of the world's most versatile and widely produced plastics, polystyrene has shaped modern manufacturing, packaging, and consumer goods for more than a century.

Recognized for its remarkable combination of clarity, rigidity, and cost-effectiveness, polystyrene has evolved through scientific breakthroughs, industrial innovations, and changing market demands to maintain its position as a cornerstone material across multiple industries.

According to the Styrene Insulation Industry website, polystyrene products are widely used in daily life and industries due to the unique properties of the material. Sought after for its excellent compressive strength, polystyrene offers a high degree of moldability that makes it versatile across numerous applications.

The history:

Polystyrene was discovered in 1839 by Eduard Simon, an apothecary from Berlin, Germany. According to ScienceHistory.org, the implications of this discovery would not be recognized until later, when Hermann Staudinger realized that Simon's material was, in fact, a polymer.

In 1922, Staudinger published his discoveries, noting the similarities between natural rubbers and polystyrene, which were also composed of monomers. These findings would ultimately earn him the Nobel Prize in 1953.

While Staudinger and other scientists would establish the foundation for the development of polystyrene, the material wouldn't be ready for use until 1931.

In the 1930s, three companies were involved in the commercial production of polystyrene: IG Farben (Germany), BASF (Germany), and Dow Chemical (US). The initial commercial production by BASF in the 1930s, followed by the development of expanded polystyrene in the 1950s, paved the way for its use in insulation, packaging, and food containers, according to theinventors.org.

BASF, originally the Badische Anilin- & Sodafabrik, made its most significant polystyrene innovation with the invention of Styropor, an expanded polystyrene foam, by Fritz Stastny in 1949.

The broader commercialization of polystyrene involved the IG Farben trust, which in 1930 included #BASF. IG Farben itself was formed in 1925 from a merger of six chemical companies, including Agfa, BASF, Bayer, Griesheim-Elektron, Hoechst, and Weilerter-Meer.

According to theinventors.org, in 1937, #DowChemical introduced polystyrene to the US market. In the 1940s, Ray McIntire, a Dow scientist, accidentally invented foamed #polystyrene (which would become Styrofoam) while searching for a flexible electrical insulator during World War II. The material was patented in 1944, and in 1947, Dow filed a patent on its adaptation of the foaming method.

source : David Hutton-Plastics Today

Evonik leads the way in automated life cycle assessments

Evonik has set a new benchmark for sustainability assessments in the chemical industry. With a TÜV-certified software solution, Life Cycle Assessments (LCAs) can now be generated and updated automatically-quickly, consistently, and reliably. Evonik is leading the way for chemical companies to digitize this complex process to such a depth.

The solution enables the calculation of all relevant environmental impacts of Evonik’s products-from carbon footprint and water usage to nutrient discharges into water bodies. “Our customers don’t just want to know how sustainable a product is today-they want to see how it can improve tomorrow. That’s exactly what we deliver with our new solution,” says Florian Böss, Head of Life Cycle Management at Evonik.

Automated calculations are about ten times faster than the previous manual method. Instead of taking weeks, an LCA can now be provided within just a few days. Automated LCAs are already available for more than 1,000 products, with numbers rising rapidly. By 2027, the system will be in use across all business lines.

The solution is scalable and flexible: all environmental indicators can be evaluated at the push of a button. The necessary data is sourced from central company databases or external providers. Technically, the system is based on software from Sphera Solutions, a leading provider of sustainability and operational risk management software. “The chemical industry sits at the heart of a range of value chains, with progress on sustainability in the sector especially critical,” says Naved Siddique, Chief Product Officer at Sphera. “The partnership between Sphera and Evonik demonstrates how scalable, flexible digital solutions can enhance transparency at every stage of the value chain.

The partnership between Evonik and Sphera began last year. In July 2025, TÜV Rheinland confirmed the functionality and accuracy of the automated process. The certification is based on a well-established manual process that has now been digitized. “This builds trust and proves the reliability of our environmental impact data,” Böss adds.

The automated LCAs are not only used for customer communication but also for steering internal sustainability efforts. They support informed decisions on raw material and energy use and help evaluate CO₂ reduction measures from an economic perspective. As part of its sustainability strategy, Evonik has committed to reducing Scope 1 and Scope 2 emissions by 25% by 2030.

By automating the creation of LCAs, Evonik is sending a clear signal of progress and responsibility-setting a technological standard that could resonate far beyond the company itself.

source : Evonik

Mitsui Chemicals Group, Idemitsu Kosan Co., Ltd, and Sumitomo Chemical announced today plans to merging

 Mitsui Chemicals Group, Idemitsu Kosan Co., Ltd, and Sumitomo Chemical announced today plans to merge key parts of their #polyolefin businesses in #Japan to tackle chronic oversupply amid shrinking domestic market.

The companies have signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to integrate #Sumitomo Chemical’s domestic #polypropylene (PP) and linear low density polyethylene (#LLDPE) operations into PRIME POLYMER CO.,LTD. Co, an existing joint venture between #Mitsui Chemicals and #Idemitsu Kosan, the Japanese companies said in a joint statement.

The combined entity will have a domestic production capacity of 1.59 million tonnes/year of polypropylene #PP) and 720,000 tonnes/year of polyethylene (PE), up from 1.26 million tonnes/year of PE and 550,000 tonnes/year of PP.

Find more info and detailed PE and PP capacities in Japan in the free full article: https://lnkd.in/dtUdzttP

source : Lorenzo Meazza