CHINA'S CLEAN ENERGY SCALE UP PLAN

CHINA'S CLEAN ENERGY SCALE UP PLAN

In just six months, China added 256 gigawatts (GW) of new solar capacity more than the entire solar infrastructure ever built by the United States. That’s enough clean energy to power over 40 million homes, marking the fastest renewable expansion in human history.

This rapid growth is part of China’s ambitious plan to dominate the global clean energy race. Experts estimate that by 2026, renewables will surpass coal as China’s main source of electricity — a monumental shift for the world’s largest energy consumer. Massive solar farms stretching across deserts like Tengger and Qinghai are reshaping the global energy map.

Meanwhile, as U.S. investments in renewables face political and regulatory slowdowns, China’s momentum underscores a new reality: the future of energy leadership may already have changed hands.

source : David James

#cleanenergy #china #renewableenergy

CJ Biomaterials Introduces New PHACT™ PHA Masterbatch

CJ Biomaterials, Inc, a division of South Korea-based CJ CheilJedang and a primary producer of polyhydroxyalkanoate (PHA) biopolymers, has introduced PHACT™ MA1350Q, a new PHA masterbatch specifically designed for staple fiber and spunbond nonwoven applications. Part of the company’s PHACT™ PHA product line, PHACT™ MA1350Q delivers a unique combination of strength, softness, and stability that elevates the performance of compostable nonwovens used in wipes, diapers, hygiene, and other products.

PHACT™ MA1350Q is composed of 45% of CJ Biomaterials amorphous PHA product (aPHA – PHACT™ A1000P) and 55% polylactic acid (PLA) by weight.

PHACT™ A1000P, developed by CJ Biomaterials, is a unique, soft, rubbery, and biobased material that is certified by BPI for commercial compostability and TÜV AUSTRIA for OK compost HOME. When combined at a range of loadings with PLA for spunbond nonwovens, PHACT™ MA1350Q improves softness, flexibility, and tensile strength compared to PLA alone and broadens the process window and compostability of PLA-based nonwovens.

“With PHACT™ MA1350Q, we have created a solution that makes it easier for converters to incorporate amorphous PHA at the exact levels they need,” said Jerri DiRenzo, Senior Director of Applications and Development at CJ Biomaterials. “This flexibility allows converters to tailor their blends to meet their specific performance and compostability requirements.

PHACT™ MA1350Q can be used directly or added during the conversion of PLA-based nonwovens and fibers. In addition to the enhanced performance characteristics, this masterbatch offers best-in-class sustainability attributes including:

#Faster composting rate compared to PLA alone

#Certified OK compost HOME by TÜV AUSTRIA and commercially compostable by the Biodegradable Products Institute (BPI)

#Safe, clean, and non-toxic biomaterials

#Does not create persistent microplastics

#Certified 100% biobased carbon content from renewable feedstocks, for a low carbon footprint

source : CJ Biomaterials

Today's KNOWLEDGE Share : Why Boeing and Airbus Are Betting on Composites Again

Today's KNOWLEDGE Share

Why Boeing and Airbus Are Betting on Composites Again

Jeff Sloan recently highlighted something significant: both Boeing and Airbus are openly discussing next-generation single-aisle (NGSA) programs, with production targets of 100 aircraft per month up from today's 58 A320s and 40 737s.

For more than a decade, there has been no new major western passenger aircraft program – it seemed no one knew where to innovate. Now we have two, and production targets are super ambitious!

The 787's troubled development led to serious questions about composites' readiness for large-scale commercial aviation.

Wing box buckling, BVID (barely visible impact damage) and composite joints problems led local thickening. High safety factors as a result of our poor understanding of material behavior. All led to more than three years of delays. First machines heavily overweight. Over $10 billion in cost overrun.

In 2014, Boeing's VP of aircraft materials stated that if they "knew then what they know now, material decisions might have been very different on the 787."

I heard from industry experts expressing doubts about whether the next generation would maintain composite content. The disappointment was real.

So what changed?

We learned a lot. And we have new materials and technologies now that can help solve most of the early composite material problems.

It’s hard to achieve 100 aircraft per month with thermoset composites requiring hours of autoclave curing.

This is where thermoplastic composites become necessary:

✓ In-situ consolidation

✓ No autoclave needed

✓ Weldable joints

✓ Better damage tolerance

But they're harder to process. The technology wasn't ready 15 years ago.

Now it might be.

In March 2025, Airbus explicitly connected their NGSA to the successful completion of the 10-year European Clean Sky program—which invested heavily in thermoplastic manufacturing readiness.

When a major OEM connects their future aircraft to a research program, the technology has crossed from "interesting" to "producible at scale."

The 787 taught us what doesn't work. Clean Sky developed what might work. NGSA production rates demand it works at speed and scale.

Have we finally figured out how to make composites work at scale and speed?

I think the answer might be yes. Not betting on composites in the new generation is a step back.

What's your perspective? Can thermoplastic composites enable 100 NGSAs per month?

source : Jeff Sloan/Fedor Antonov for the insights.

Toray Develops Recycling Technology that Retains Carbon Fiber Strength and Surface Quality

Toray Industries, Inc., announced today that it has developed a recycling technology that can decompose diverse carbon fiber reinforced plastics (CFRP) made from thermosetting resins while retaining the strength and surface quality of those fibers. The company drew on this technology to create a nonwoven fabric employing recycled carbon fibers.

Toray has started providing prototype samples to customers with a view to them developing performance and decorative materials for diverse applications, such as automobiles, construction, electricals and electronics, and daily necessities. The company will push ahead with technical assessments matching customer needs.

CFRP applications include aircraft and wind turbines. Chemical recycling as a reducing agent in steel furnaces is gaining traction for recycling CFRP. Technologies are emerging pyrolyzing waste CFRP at high temperatures to recover and reuse fibers, with the market expanding particularly for injection molding applications. To broaden applications, there is a need for technology that can suppress thermal damage (see note 1) to recycled carbon fibers and control resin residue (note 2) and that can be applied to diverse types of waste CFRP.

Toray applied its accumulated expertise in organic synthesis and polymer polymerization to innovate a decomposition agent that breaks down degradation-resistant, three-dimensionally crosslinked (note 3) thermosetting resins at lower temperatures than conventional methods. The company used this agent to decompose CFRP waste from aircraft, wind turbines, automobiles, and other sources. The recycled carbon fiber from this process retains over 95% of the single-fiber tensile strength of petroleum-derived virgin carbon fiber. Toray expects carbon dioxide emissions from this technology to be less than half those from manufacturing virgin carbon fiber.

Recycled carbon fiber from this technology is stronger than conventional counterparts and minimizes fiber breakage in post-processing. Its low resin residue and excellent surface quality enables processing for more diverse applications. In particular, efforts to disperse short fibers and process them into sheet-form nonwoven fabrics have led to success. The recycled carbon fibers produced using this technology exhibits controllable water dispersibility, allowing for the fabrication of uniform nonwoven structures as well as those with distinctive texture reminiscent of washi (traditional Japanese paper). This fabric combines the functionality of carbon fiber, including radio frequency shielding and thermal conductivity, with the aesthetic appeal of washi. Toray aims to expand applications for this new material across many industries.

Reference : Japan Mobility Show 2025

source : Toray

Chroma Color Corporation Continues to Expand West Coast Footprint with Acquisition of Ferco Color

Chroma Color Corporation announced today that it has acquired Ferco Color a custom manufacturer of colorants, additives, and specialty compounds based in Chino, California. The transaction further strengthens Chroma’s West Coast manufacturing footprint and broadens its portfolio of colorant and additive technologies. The terms of the transaction were not disclosed.

Founded in 1994, #FercoColor has built a strong reputation for delivering high-quality products, technical expertise, and reliable turnaround times, enabling customers to achieve strong results in their manufacturing processes. Its on-site analytical laboratory, EINSTEIN, differentiates Ferco Color by providing customers with comprehensive support in colorants, additives, resins, and end-product troubleshooting. The Company currently serves diverse end-markets, including medical, food packaging, irrigation, pool & spa, aerospace, cosmetic packaging, and engineering materials, among others.

Jennifer Thaw, CEO of Ferco Color, said, “We are proud to partner with #ChromaColor®, an organization recognized for their exceptional reputation in color concentrates. Together our shared commitment to quality, technical expertise, and customer success will drive even greater value and performance for all our customers.

“This acquisition of Ferco Color underscores our commitment to expanding our geographic reach and enhancing our product offerings to a wide range of customers,” stated Joe Herres, Chroma Color Corporation, CEO. “The entire team is fully prepared to support Ferco Color’s customers and team members during this transition, and we are confident that this partnership will strengthen our ability to better serve our customers’ evolving needs.

source : Chroma Color Corporation

Today's KNOWLEDGE Share : NCF Multiaxials

 Today's KNOWLEDGE Share

💪 NCF Multiaxials — The Smart Evolution of Composite Reinforcements

Over the years, our industry has seen a clear shift in the way we reinforce composite parts.

And for good reason — Non-Crimp Fabrics (NCFs) have proven themselves as the new standard for high-performance, cost-efficient, and sustainable production.

Here’s why:

🔹 Optimized fiber orientation – tailored exactly to the load paths (0°, 90°, ±45°, etc.)

🔹 No crimp = better mechanical performance – fibers stay straight for maximum strength and stiffness

🔹 Excellent drapability – fits complex shapes easily, saving time and material

🔹 Improved resin flow – ideal for infusion and RTM processes

🔹 Lighter parts – better fiber-to-resin ratio and optimized layups

🔹 Reduced waste – precision-engineered formats, less trimming, more efficiency

🔹 Consistent quality – automated production and stable mechanical results

Compared to traditional reinforcements like CSM or woven roving, NCFs offer a clear step forward — not just in performance, but in process control, repeatability, and sustainability.

👉 Whether in marine, transportation, wind energy, or industry applications, NCFs are not only the material of today — they’re the foundation of tomorrow’s composites.

source : Lionel Tourtour

Today's KNOWLEDGE Share : Shaping the Future of Nylon Bonding

Today's KNOWLEDGE Share 

Shaping the Future of Nylon Bonding :

As industries across the globe accelerate their shift toward more sustainable and efficient manufacturing practices, the expectations placed on materials are evolving. In sectors where thermoplastic elastomers (TPEs) are over molded onto nylon (PA), manufacturers now seek not only strong adhesion and high performance, but also environmental responsibility and customized functionality. At KRAIBURG TPE, we’re leading the way by delivering innovative material solutions that meet these diverse demands. 

Trends in Nylon Bonding :

Recycled content has emerged as a key driver of innovation in TPS bonding to nylon. In response to evolving customer demands and sustainability goals, KRAIBURG TPE developed the THERMOLAST® R RC/AD/PA —TPE materials with a reduced product carbon footprint that maintain excellent bonding performance.

These sustainable compounds contain high levels of post-consumer and post-industrial recycled content, and support in-process recycling, helping manufacturers reduce their environmental impact without compromising quality.

In addition to sustainability, customization is becoming increasingly essential. KRAIBURG TPE offers material solutions that can be tailored for specific performance characteristics such as: 

Surface quality 

Tackiness 

Electrostatic dissipation

This combination of sustainability, performance, and adaptability ensures that manufacturers remain competitive in a rapidly evolving market—while also meeting rising environmental and regulatory expectations. 

source : Kraiburg TPE