Today's KNOWLEDGE Share : 3D-printable transparent block copolymer resin via photopolymerization-induced microphase separation

Today's KNOWLEDGE Share

Impact-resistant, haze-free, 3D-printable transparent block copolymer resin via photopolymerization-induced microphase separation

Incorporating rubbery domains into glassy polymers is an effective route to improve toughness and impact strength. However, retaining the transparency of the composite material over a wide temperature range with enhanced mechanical attributes is challenging because of a mismatch in refractive indices with changing temperatures, limiting their applications as optical materials.

Here, we report photopolymerization-induced microphase separation as a strategy for the fabrication of transparent, temperature-resistant nanostructured polymeric materials. Taking poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) as the glassy component for its renowned high transparency, we perform controlled radical polymerization upon light exposure to transform the whole polymerization mixture into a cross-linked block polymer material, where a bicontinuous nanostructure consisting of PMMA and cross-linked rubbery microdomains spontaneously arises during polymerization in situ. The facile formation of the rubbery domains, smaller than 50 nm yet 3D continuous and cross-linked, is the key to retaining transparency above 120 °C in the visible light wavelength with dimensional stability and allowing efficient stress dissipation through the large interfacial area. We further demonstrate the 3D printability of the nanostructured materials into custom shapes via direct ink writing.

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/s41427-025-00618-3

source : Nature

Today's KNOWLEDGE Share : How composites helped launch France’s first zero-emission cargo vessel

Today's KNOWLEDGE Share

How composites helped launch France’s first zero-emission cargo vessel

Late 2024, Paris witnessed a milestone in the history of sustainable transport: the baptism of the Zulu 06, a 55-meter-long river cargo vessel capable of carrying 400 tonnes of goods while operating entirely on hydrogen fuel cells. Developed by Sogestran Group under the European Flagships program, the Zulu 06 is more than just a ship; it is a demonstrator of what zero-emission inland transport can achieve.

Pascal Girardet, Chairman and CEO of Sogestran, emphasized the importance of this step: “If the hydrogen sector is still under construction, every stone in the building plays a role in its democratization and will ultimately allow a complete value chain to be structured. With the Zulu 06, we are taking a key step for river transport. This vessel embodies not only technological excellence but also Sogestran’s commitment to sustainable and efficient mobility.

Equipped with two 200 kW PEM fuel cells, the vessel runs on 300 kg of compressed green hydrogen at 300 bar, granting it an operational autonomy of about 500 kilometers—perfectly suited for urban distribution between Gennevilliers and Bonneuil-sur-Marne on the Seine. By drastically reducing emissions, noise, and particulate pollution, the Zulu 06 offers a vision of a cleaner logistics network embedded in metropolitan centers.

From road to river, composites at the core

Hydrogen is notoriously difficult to store and transport due to its low density and high-pressure requirements. This is where the expertise of Hexagon Purus came into play. In 2021, Sogestran selected Hexagon Purus as supplier of a 20ft Multiple-Element Gas Container (MEGC) with Type 4 composite cylinders. The choice was no coincidence. Hexagon Purus had decades of experience in hydrogen storage for road transport. As Stefan Wedowski, Product Manager Hexagon Purus, explains “in 2021, Sogestran chose Hexagon Purus as supplier for a 20ft MEGC with Type 4 composite cylinders. due to its long experience in manufacturing Multiple-Element Gas Container (MEGC) for hydrogen transportation and storage.

Meeting safety and regulatory challenges

Introducing hydrogen to inland waterways meant meeting stringent safety requirements. The collaboration between Sogestran, shipbuilders, and classification societies led to design modifications. As Wedowski recalls, “already during pre-order discussions between customer and technical sales department, the first Piping and Instrumentation Diagram (P&ID) was agreed on. During the course of the project, the design was discussed by the shipbuilder with the classification society of the vessel. In comparison to the original, additional pressure relief devices, which are no standard safety features for MEGC, were introduced.

Why composites matter

At the heart of the Zulu 06’s hydrogen storage system are Type 4 high-pressure cylinders. “The cylinders are so-called Type 4 high-pressure cylinders. They consist of an inner plastic liner, which is fully wrapped with carbon fibre. The advantages of the composite design are the low weight to payload ratio of this type of cylinders, and corrosion- and fatigue-resistant properties of the material combination,” describes Wedowski.

The composite wrapping-carbon fiber wound around the liner provides the structural resilience needed to withstand pressures up to 950 bar, while accommodating geometric changes in the liner under varying load conditions. In this respect, the Zulu 06 benefits from more than four decades of R&D in composite cylinder manufacturing, making hydrogen storage lighter, safer, and longer lasting compared to steel alternatives.

While the materials were proven, certification remained a hurdle. “As mentioned, the cylinders itself were not developed specifically for Zulu. However, the approval for the vessel included a thorough discussion of cylinder specifications and tests which were carried out during development of the cylinders,

source :JEC Composites/ Sogestran @MIGNOT Gauthier / Hexagon Purus

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