Today's KNOWLEDGE Share : "88% plant based carton"

Today's KNOWLEDGE Share

How to greenwash like a pro:

Lesson # 1

"The 88% plant based, super responsible, renewable packaging for... Water."

I counted 6 misleading claims:

1) "88% plant based carton"

↳ This bottle is actually a mix of plastic, aluminum, and carton

↳ Why don't they say that instead? 🤔

2) The ♻️ visual

↳ this is a legal requirement, but implies recyclability

↳ the reality? TetraPak's recycling rate is 25%

3) "This carton is made from 88% renewable raw materials"

↳ it's wood, ok? FSC certified

↳ do we need to cut down trees to drink water?

5) "This paper is made from trees"

↳ this implies that the whole packaging is just paper

↳ again, no mention of aluminum or plastic

6) "We use sugarcane for our caps to cut down CO2"

↳ that's sweet, but it actually prevents recycling

↳ that sugarcane cap will get landfilled or burned

It took me a while to unpack, and I do this for a living.

So what will a non-expert think, reading this?

This needs to stop.

We need that EU greenwashing law now.

Sorry, but not sorry TetraPak.

Build beyond the buzz. Unlock the real circular solutions.

source : Vojtech Vosecky

#circulareconomy #recycling

EPA Proposes Changes to Make PFAS Reporting Requirements More Practical and Implementable, Reducing Regulatory Burden

Today, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) released a proposal to improve the scope of its perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) reporting regulations under the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) to make them more practical and implementable and reduce unnecessary, or potentially duplicative, reporting requirements for businesses while maintaining the ability to obtain important use and safety information on PFAS.

In October 2023, the Biden Administration EPA finalized a one-time PFAS reporting and recordkeeping regulation under TSCA section 8(a)(7) that requires manufacturers (including importers) of PFAS in any year between 2011-2022 to report data to EPA related to exposure and any existing environmental and health effects. The rule exemplifies regulatory overreach by imposing a nearly billion-dollar compliance burden on industry without establishing any clear framework for utilizing the collected data or demonstrating how it advances environmental protection goals. The rule's lack of practical implementation standards, evidenced by significant IT system failures and administrative delays, represents poor regulatory design that unnecessarily burdens small businesses and importers while failing to achieve meaningful environmental outcomes.

The proposed changes to improve reporting regulations will support Administrator Zeldin’s “Powering the Great American Comeback” initiative by reducing regulatory reporting burdens and providing greater regulatory certainty to industry, resulting in a net reduction in cost while ensuring that EPA receives the PFAS data that are most relevant to the agency. These proposed changes will also deliver on Administrator Zeldin’s April 28, 2025, commitment to “implement [TSCA] section 8(a)7 to smartly collect necessary information, as Congress envisioned and consistent with TSCA, without overburdening small businesses and article importers.

“This Biden-era rule would have imposed crushing regulatory burdens and nearly $1 billion in implementation costs on American businesses,” said EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin. “Today’s proposal is grounded in commonsense and the law, allowing us to collect the information we need to help combat PFAS contamination without placing ridiculous requirements on manufacturers, especially the small businesses that drive our country’s economy.

The exemptions and modifications that EPA is proposing would maintain important reporting requirements on PFAS while exempting reporting on activities that manufacturers are least likely to know or reasonably determine. The proposed exemptions are:

PFAS manufactured (including imported) in mixtures or products at concentrations 0.1% or lower; 

Imported articles; 

Certain byproducts; 

Impurities; 

Research and development chemicals; and 

Non-isolated intermediates.  

source : US EPA

Clariant announces joint venture for novel flame retardants with FUHUA

Clariant, a sustainability-focused specialty chemical company, today announced its strategic joint venture with FUHUA, focused on developing innovative non-halogenated flame retardants. The new initiative, which is subject to customary approval from relevant authorities, aims to create next-generation phosphorus-based flame retardants to serve several industries like building and construction, automotive, electric and electronic, directly addressing the tightening technical and regulatory environment in these sectors.

The signing of this strategic joint venture agreement is the result of #Clariant and #FUHUA's joint innovation and R&D strategic cooperation. FUHUA is a renowned leading enterprise in the integrated chemical manufacturing sector. This strategic cooperation fully leverages the advantages and strengths of both Clariant and FUHUA. Clariant and FUHUA join in the commitment to develop new non-halogen flame retardants, adding significant value for their customers. Navigating through the evolving regulatory landscape and responding to their customers' increasingly ambitious sustainability objectives, the new joint venture will strategically position itself to transform the challenges into targeted innovation opportunities. This approach is deliberate and focused on creating sustainable value with new phosphorus-based products that maintain or improve #flameretardant performance while meeting regulatory requirements.

"This joint venture marks an important step in our commitment to developing flame retardants that solve both performance needs and regulatory concerns," said Angela Cackovich, Business President Adsorbents & Additives and EMEA, Member of the Executive Steering Committee. “By partnering with FUHUA, a recognized leader in integrated chemical manufacturing, we're combining expertise to create solutions that will help our customers stay ahead of regulatory changes while maintaining the highest performance standards.

The new development initiative comes as regulatory bodies worldwide are implementing stricter controls on traditional flame retardant technologies. Clariant's proactive approach enables the company to anticipate these changes and develop compliant alternatives before customers face regulatory challenges, reinforcing the company's reputation for forward-thinking innovation in specialty chemicals.

"This strategic cooperation demonstrates Clariant's targeted approach to innovation in the additives sector, consistently delivering solutions that address emerging challenges," said Manuel Mueller, Head of Strategy & Innovation. "The new partnership with FUHUA represents another important step in developing products that align with Clariant's commitment to innovation, sustainability, regulatory compliance, and performance excellence.

source : Clariant

New sizes available for StormStrong FRP pipe piles

#CCG’sStormStrongFRP pipe piles, which have been designed as a sustainable alternative to traditional timber, steel or concrete products, are now available in 8-in.,14-in. or 18-in. diameters.

According to a survey conducted by the American Association of Port Authorities, public port authorities and their private tenants plan to invest US$163 billion in capital investments for landside and waterside infrastructure improvements in the US through 2025. Endowed with low modulus, high-strength properties, #CCG’scompositepipe piles are designed for heavy load-bearing applications and can be customised. Their lightweightness also allows them to be easily transported and installed.

“For dock projects, the new sizes allow contractors and engineers to span longer distances with a product that will also give them a longer service life,” says Corey Sechler, vice president of sales for civil infrastructure at CCG. “For fender systems, more sizes give engineers the ability to optimise fender performance while keeping costs down. You want piles that are strong enough to do the job without having to over-design them.

Cover photo: CGG’s StormStrong pipe piles boat dock

source : Jeccomposites

Today's KNOWLEDGE Share : 𝗠𝗮𝘁𝗲𝗿𝗶𝗮𝗹𝘀 𝘁𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗠𝗮𝘁𝘁𝗲𝗿 — 𝗣𝗣 (𝗣𝗼𝗹𝘆𝗼𝗹𝗲𝗳𝗶𝗻𝘀)

Today's KNOWLEDGE Share

𝗠𝗮𝘁𝗲𝗿𝗶𝗮𝗹𝘀 𝘁𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗠𝗮𝘁𝘁𝗲𝗿 — 𝗣𝗣 (𝗣𝗼𝗹𝘆𝗼𝗹𝗲𝗳𝗶𝗻𝘀)

𝗦𝘁𝗿𝘂𝗰𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗲 | 𝗣𝗿𝗼𝗽𝗲𝗿𝘁𝗶𝗲𝘀 | 𝗔𝗽𝗽𝗹𝗶𝗰𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 | 𝗗𝗼𝘄𝗻𝘀𝗶𝗱𝗲 | 𝗦𝗽𝗼𝘁𝗹𝗶𝗴𝗵𝘁: Mitsui Chemicals Europe

#𝗣𝗣 (𝗽𝗼𝗹𝘆𝗽𝗿𝗼𝗽𝘆𝗹𝗲𝗻𝗲) is a semi-crystalline 𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗺𝗼𝗱𝗶𝘁𝘆 𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗿𝗺𝗼𝗽𝗹𝗮𝘀𝘁𝗶𝗰 𝗽𝗼𝗹𝘆𝗺𝗲𝗿 synthesized from propylene monomers, forming a 𝗹𝗶𝗻𝗲𝗮𝗿 𝗰𝗵𝗮𝗶𝗻 𝗼𝗳 𝘀𝗮𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗲𝗱 𝗵𝘆𝗱𝗿𝗼𝗰𝗮𝗿𝗯𝗼𝗻 𝘂𝗻𝗶𝘁𝘀 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵 𝗺𝗲𝘁𝗵𝘆𝗹 𝘀𝗶𝗱𝗲 𝗴𝗿𝗼𝘂𝗽𝘀.

Its non-polar structure gives it 𝗲𝘅𝗰𝗲𝗹𝗹𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗰𝗵𝗲𝗺𝗶𝗰𝗮𝗹 𝗿𝗲𝘀𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗮𝗻𝗰𝗲, 𝗹𝗼𝘄 𝗱𝗲𝗻𝘀𝗶𝘁𝘆 (~𝟬.𝟵𝟬 𝗴/𝗰𝗺𝟯), 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗵𝗶𝗴𝗵 𝗳𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗴𝘂𝗲 𝘀𝘁𝗿𝗲𝗻𝗴𝘁𝗵, particularly in cyclic loading. It also exhibits 𝗹𝗼𝘄 𝗺𝗼𝗶𝘀𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗲 𝗮𝗯𝘀𝗼𝗿𝗽𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗴𝗼𝗼𝗱 𝗱𝗶𝗲𝗹𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗿𝗶𝗰 𝗽𝗿𝗼𝗽𝗲𝗿𝘁𝗶𝗲𝘀, making it suitable for electrical and fluid-contact parts.

PP is widely used in 𝗮𝘂𝘁𝗼𝗺𝗼𝘁𝗶𝘃𝗲 𝗶𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗿𝗶𝗼𝗿𝘀, 𝗽𝗮𝗰𝗸𝗮𝗴𝗶𝗻𝗴, 𝗰𝗼𝗻𝘀𝘂𝗺𝗲𝗿 𝗴𝗼𝗼𝗱𝘀, 𝘁𝗲𝘅𝘁𝗶𝗹𝗲𝘀 (𝗻𝗼𝗻𝘄𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗻𝘀), 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗽𝗶𝗽𝗶𝗻𝗴, where 𝗹𝗼𝘄 𝗰𝗼𝘀𝘁, 𝗲𝗮𝘀𝘆 𝗽𝗿𝗼𝗰𝗲𝘀𝘀𝗶𝗻𝗴, 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗲𝗻𝘃𝗶𝗿𝗼𝗻𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗮𝗹 𝗿𝗲𝘀𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗮𝗻𝗰𝗲 are more critical than high mechanical performance. The following photo is a demonstrator drone made entirely out of carbon reinforced PP.

Its main weakness is its 𝗿𝗲𝗹𝗮𝘁𝗶𝘃𝗲𝗹𝘆 𝗹𝗼𝘄 𝘀𝘁𝗶𝗳𝗳𝗻𝗲𝘀𝘀 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗿𝗺𝗮𝗹 𝗿𝗲𝘀𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗮𝗻𝗰𝗲 (softening near 100–110 °C), which limits use in structural or high-heat environments, however 𝗿𝗲𝗶𝗻𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗰𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗣𝗣 𝗺𝗮𝘁𝗲𝗿𝗶𝗮𝗹 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵 𝗰𝗼𝗻𝘁𝗶𝗻𝘂𝗼𝘂𝘀 𝗰𝗮𝗿𝗯𝗼𝗻 𝗳𝗶𝗯𝗲𝗿𝘀 can therefore significantly improve the stiffness limitation.

PP 𝗨𝗗-𝗧𝗮𝗽𝗲 reinforced with 𝗰𝗮𝗿𝗯𝗼𝗻 𝗳𝗶𝗯𝗲𝗿𝘀 can be procured from 𝗠𝗶𝘁𝘀𝘂𝗶 𝗖𝗵𝗲𝗺𝗶𝗰𝗮𝗹𝘀 𝗘𝘂𝗿𝗼𝗽𝗲 𝗚𝗺𝗯𝗛 (𝗠𝗖𝗘). Headquartered in 𝗗𝘂𝘀𝘀𝗲𝗹𝗱𝗼𝗿𝗳, 𝗚𝗲𝗿𝗺𝗮𝗻𝘆, MCE offers advanced thermoplastic composites under the 𝗧𝗔𝗙𝗡𝗘𝗫™ brand. These continuous fiber-reinforced polypropylene (PP) tapes and laminates are engineered for 𝗹𝗶𝗴𝗵𝘁𝘄𝗲𝗶𝗴𝗵𝘁 𝗽𝗲𝗿𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗺𝗮𝗻𝗰𝗲, 𝗿𝗲𝗰𝘆𝗰𝗹𝗮𝗯𝗶𝗹𝗶𝘁𝘆, 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗽𝗿𝗼𝗰𝗲𝘀𝘀𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗲𝗳𝗳𝗶𝗰𝗶𝗲𝗻𝗰𝘆, making them a key part of Mitsui’s portfolio of functional materials.

source :Alformet

New technique builds advanced materials out of basic plastics

In a kind of addition-by-subtraction, chemists at the University of Florida have developed a technique to create highly porous materials from the ubiquitous building blocks of everyday plastics, and the end result could have applications in electronics, separations and battery manufacturing.

The trick isn’t what they add, but what they take out.

“It's like what a sculptor might do with stone, where you gradually subtract more and more until you have what you want,” said Brent Sumerlin, Ph.D., a professor of chemistry at UF and senior author of the new report. “We're sculpting from within by creating pores from inside the material, which I don't think would be possible by any method.

These kinds of porous materials are in high demand for batteries. They also make natural filters for contaminated water. Slight tweaks would even allow electronics manufacturers to fabricate the materials required for high-density electronic or magnetic storage applications.

The work was supported in part by the Department of Energy, the National Science Foundation and the Department of Defense. Sumerlin and his team published their findings Oct. 29 in the journal ACS Central Science.

The technique rose out of Sumerlin’s previous research on breaking down plastics, an essential part in improving plastics recycling. As they discovered that different plastics break down at different temperatures, Sumerlin’s lab realized they could use that temperature difference to create brand-new materials.

In the lab, they combined the buildings blocks of #Plexiglas and #Styrofoam, which are usually reluctant to mix. Heated up to the right temperature, the plexiglass-like components evaporated, while the polystyrene stayed behind, creating trillions of tiny gaps smaller than even a virus.

A sample weighing just a gram managed to contain within its pores the surface area of a full-sized tennis court. And for advanced manufacturing, surface area is king.

“It’s like having a very small mesh in a screen, which is potentially good for purifying wastewater,” said Sumerlin, who has also filed a patent application for the new technique. “It also works as a high-performance membrane, which is key to many batteries.

With much of the world’s energy going toward separating one material from another, having a new way to craft these #porousfilters, out of little more than plastic, may end up serving many different industries. All from the original goal of trying to better #recycleplastics.

“This just shows how basic research in one area can inform new applications in a completely different area,” Sumerlin said.

source: University of Florida