The next generation of engineering particle foams from Ensinger

As performance requirements continue to increase, conventional particle foams such as polypropylene and polystyrene often reach their limits. High temperatures, long-term mechanical stress or exposure to aggressive chemicals are difficult and often uneconomical to manage with traditional materials.

As a specialist in high-performance plastics, Ensinger now offers a forward-looking alternative in the form of engineering particle foams based on thermoplastics such as polyetheretherketone (PEEK), polyethersulphone (PESU) and polycarbonate (PC). These materials offer the structural advantages of traditional foams – such as lightweight design and energy absorption – alongside the exceptional performance characteristics of #engineeringpolymers.

Fine cell structure and tailored density:

Manufacturing is carried out using an energy-efficient, newly developed process that enables a fine and homogeneous cell structure. The density and material properties can be precisely adjusted to meet specific customer requirements ranging from ultra-lightweight components to load-bearing structural parts.

Broad range of applications:

#Ensinger’s particle foams are lightweight, robust and impact-resistant. Depending on the base polymer, they can withstand temperatures of up to 300 °C (#PEEK) and are highly resistant to oils, greases, cleaning agents and solvents. These properties open up new possibilities for challenging applications in sectors such as #aerospace, #electronics, medical technology and mobility.

Product formats in the pilot phase

The product line is currently in the pilot phase. Ensinger supports customers from an early stage in the development process. Project partners benefit from bespoke advice, adjustable material properties and strong engineering support. The aim is to develop high-performance particle foam solutions that offer both functional and economic advantages. Beads in various densities and foam sheets in sample sizes are currently available for development and testing. Custom-molded parts can also be developed on a project basis. 

source : Ensinger

EU Bioeconomy Strategy: Ambitious, but delivery gaps remain

The recently published EU Bioeconomy Strategy signals Europe’s intent to lead in sustainable growth and innovation. While the vision is clear, concrete delivery mechanisms and binding commitments are still missing.

The chemical industry is at the heart of the bioeconomy, and the bioeconomy is core to our industrial transition. 

The Strategy recognises that the chemical industry will play a central role in enabling Europe’s transition to a sustainable, circular bioeconomy.

It also reflects key industry priorities by focusing on five pillars: scaling innovation and investments, building lead markets for bio-based materials and technologies, ensuring sustainable biomass supply and circularity, harnessing global opportunities, and fostering collaboration and delivery.

Positive steps include:

Stimulate demand for bio-based chemicals by introducing bio-based content requirements for products placed in the EU single market

Removing barriers to investment and innovation, including new financial tools for start-ups and scale-ups.

Supporting public procurement of bio-based solutions with clear criteria.

Promoting the cascading use of biomass, prioritising sectors where bio-based solutions add the most value.

Strengthening circularity by encouraging the use of secondary feedstocks and improving data on biomass availability.

Expanding global partnerships and market access for European bio-based products.

However, the strategy still falls short in several key areas:

There is still no legislative instrument to create a true Single Market for bio-based products, risking market fragmentation and deterring investment.

Most actions remain voluntary or reiterate existing policies, with few new incentives to accelerate innovation and deployment.

The strategy lacks a comprehensive plan to reinforce Europe’s industrial base and ensure supply chain resilience for sustainable biomass.

To achieve a true bioeconomy in Europe, the Strategy must move from ambition to action. Cefic is ready to work with policymakers to create a single market for the bioeconomy.

source: Cefic

Today's KNOWLEDGE Share : German scientists plan natural-fiber blades to tackle wind turbine waste

Today's KNOWLEDGE Share

German scientists plan natural-fiber blades to tackle wind turbine waste

A new initiative led by Kiel University of Applied Sciences (HAW Kiel) and boatbuilder Nuebold Yachtbau GmbH aims to build rotor blades made entirely from renewable materials—flax, balsa wood, and paulownia—in a bid to replace fiberglass and shrink the industry’s mounting waste footprint.

Backed by roughly €175,000 from the Schleswig-Holstein Energy and Climate Protection Agency (EKSH), the team plans to develop a prototype for small wind turbines (with rotor areas under 200 square meters) by 2027.

“We want to demonstrate that sustainable rotor blades made from #flaxfibers and other renewable raw materials can meet all technical requirements and thus make a real contribution to a more sustainable wind energy sector,” said Prof. Dr.-Ing. Sten Böhme, project manager from Kiel University of Applied Sciences.

Engineering a circular blade lifecycle

Despite the expansion in wind energy, major challenges remain primarily related to the design and manufacture of wind turbine blades.

Wind turbines use durable, long fiberglass blades (made of fiberglass bound with strong epoxy resin) to withstand the harshest elements.

However, this strength makes both the production and disposal of the blades costly and energy-intensive.

As a result, the wind turbines generate tens of thousands of tons of annual waste. Estimates suggest that blade waste could reach 2.2 million tons in the US by 2050.

It presents a major disposal challenge because the blades themselves are difficult to recycle.

In the past, some efforts have already been made to recycle glass fiber.

For instance, researchers at Washington State University (WSU) developed an environmentally friendly recycling method for wind turbine blades in April. The method recovers high-strength glass fibers and resins, which can then be repurposed to create durable plastics.

In this new work, the team turned to a natural approach to make the process of developing wind turbines more sustainable.

Researchers will first test the load-bearing capacity of suitable #naturalfibers (flax, balsa wood, paulownia).

Computer simulations will be used to design the optimal shape and ensure the structural integrity of the natural fiber rotor blades. Initial models will be created and tested for stability and performance in the wind tunnel at Kiel University of Applied Sciences in Kiel, Germany.

Upon successful initial tests, the project will move to full-scale manufacturing, subjecting the rotor blade prototypes to the required bending load tests.

Testing strength in nature

Preliminary work by HAW Kiel and Nuebold Yachtbau has already investigated replacing fiberglass composites with sustainable natural fiber materials, such as flax fibers.

Experts view the project as a key step in the energy transition, suggesting that planning for dismantling and recycling should begin at the construction stage.

source : Interesting Engineering

Emirates Biotech launches its Embio product range – a new generation of PLA biopolymers made in the Emirates

Emirates Biotech has launched its Embio product range, its new line of PolyLactic Acid (PLA) biopolymers designed to offer a sustainable alternative to traditional plastics. The name Embio reflects the company’s Emirates roots, signifying a biopolymer made in the UAE, while highlighting its commitment to biotechnology and sustainability.

With the Embio product launch, Emirates Biotech begins pre-marketing across the Middle East, offering customers the opportunity to source locally stocked #PLA for faster delivery times and smaller minimum order volumes. This approach is designed to make it easier for regional converters, brand owners, and packaging manufacturers to start application development and facilitate the transition to plant based materials.

Marc Verbruggen, Chief Executive Officer of #EmiratesBiotech, said “Our launch of Embio products marks a major milestone in our journey to make renewable and compostable plastics accessible across the Middle East. The Embio name covers more than a product and stands as a symbol of our commitment to innovation, to reducing dependence on fossil resources, and to supporting the region in building a circular economy.

The Embio portfolio includes a range of PLA grades suitable for rigid and flexible packaging, coated paper board, fibers, nonwovens, and 3D printing.

Prashant Lohade, Sales Development Manager at Emirates Biotech, said “Our decision to maintain local inventory was driven by the need for greater flexibility and faster response times for our customers. “With Embio grades now available in the UAE, customers can access PLA in smaller volumes and benefit from shorter lead times. This marks an important milestone for companies in the Middle East looking to integrate sustainable materials into their existing production lines.

Embio PLA grades combine high clarity, strength, and processability with a substantially lower carbon footprint than traditional plastics. The material can be recycled or industrially composted, and does not leave behind persistent microplastics in the environment, supporting waste reduction and circularity goals.

The launch of Embio PLA products align with the UAE’s sustainability goals, including its national commitment to Net Zero 2050, and the development of a circular economy. By combining regional manufacturing, material innovation, technical expertise, and hands on customer-focused service, Emirates Biotech is accelerating the transition to a circular, biobased society, making our planet a better place.

source : Emirates Biotech

The industry remains far below the 6 per cent annual growth rate required to meet the Plastics Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR) targets

Europe’s plastics recycling industry is facing its most severe decline yet, with turnover falling by 5.5 per cent and the latest annual data revealing the largest capacity contraction ever recorded. Preliminary figures for 2025 indicate a further deterioration, including a 50 per cent increase in recycling facility closures and the loss of nearly one million tonnes of recycling capacity over the past three years. This downward trend threatens Europe’s circular economy ambitions, industrial resilience and thousands of local jobs.

“Now is the time to stand united for the sector not only to protect jobs and businesses at risk, but to safeguard Europe’s environmental and technological progress, ensuring a sustainable future for all,” said Ton Emans, President of Plastics Recyclers Europe. “We call on the EU institutions and national policymakers to act decisively and implement supportive measures to preserve the sector and Europe’s circular economy.

Despite a total installed capacity of 13.5 million tonnes in 2024, the industry remains far below the 6 per cent annual growth rate required to meet the Plastics Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR) targets. Rising production and energy costs, decreasing demand and a surge in low-priced, unregulated imports continue to exert significant pressure on recyclers across the region. Polyolefin films and PET have been hardest hit, together representing half of all closures recorded in 2023–2024.

The latest data underlines the urgent need for coordinated action to safeguard the long-term viability of plastics recycling in Europe.

Plastics Recyclers Europe urges EU institutions and Member States to establish fair and enforceable market rules, strengthen controls on imports, reduce energy costs and harmonise reporting requirements through region-wide third-party certification. Now more than ever, a stable and competitive market framework is essential to secure Europe’s transition toward a truly circular plastics economy.

source : Indian Chemical News

Today's KNOWLEDGE Share : Leak-Proof Gasket with Functionalized Boron Nitride Nanoflakes Enhances Performance and Durability

Today's KNOWLEDGE Share

Leak-Proof Gasket with Functionalized Boron Nitride Nanoflakes Enhances Performance and Durability

Addressing limitations of conventional non-fluorinated gaskets by improving hydrogen sealing and durability

A research team in South Korea has developed a novel #gaskettechnology that enhances both the safety and efficiency of polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cells (PEMFCs) & water electrolyzers (PEMWEs, AEMWEs)core devices for hydrogen production and utilization by simultaneously improving mechanical strength and gas-tight sealing.

Dr. Keun-Hwan Oh and team at the Korea Research Institute of Chemical Technology (KRICT) have successfully applied functionalized 2D boron nitride nanoflakes (BNNFs) to silicone and ethylene-propylene-diene monomer (EPDM)-based sealing gaskets. The newly developed nanocomposite gasket demonstrates excellent mechanical robustness, hydrogen-barrier capability, and chemical and thermal stability.

In hydrogen-energy systems, gaskets play a vital role in sealing reactant gases and preventing hydrogen leakage within the stack. A decline in gasket performance can reduce system efficiency & even cause severe safety hazards.

While fluoroelastomer-based gaskets offer strong durability, their high cost and PFAS-related environmental restrictions limit widespread use. In contrast, EPDM and silicone materials are more affordable & processable but suffer from poor hydrogen impermeability and chemical resistance.

To overcome these drawbacks, the KRICT team functionalized #boronnitridenanoflakes using 1-pyrenemethyl methacrylate (1-PMA), enabling C–C coupling between the nanofiller & polymer chains. This strategy formed a densely crosslinked network that maximizes the “maze-effect” for hydrogen diffusion & maintains structural stability even under harsh operating conditions.

Remarkably, incorporating only 0.5 wt % of functionalized BNNFs led to substantial improvements:

· EPDM composite: +32.1 % in Young’s modulus, −55.7 % in H₂ permeability

· Silicone composite: +96.6 % in Young’s modulus, −42.7 % in H₂ permeability

In long-term chemical-durability tests (225 hours) under acidic and alkaline conditions, the EPDM nanocomposite showed only 6.6 % and 3.8 % weight loss respectively, while the silicone composite exhibited minimal degradation of 0.2 % and 2.1 %.

Cell-performance evaluation confirmed that both nanocomposite gaskets delivered equivalent or superior current densities compared with commercial gaskets, ensuring uniform internal pressure distribution & reduced contact resistance between electrodes.

This breakthrough goes beyond mechanical reinforcement it improves gas-barrier, chemical-resistance, electrochemical performance simultaneously, offering a viable non-fluorinated alternative for hydrogen energy systems.

The technology is expected to accelerate early commercialization for hydrogen-fuel-cell vehicles, power-generation stacks, & large-scale water-electrolysis systems.

source : Dr.David Novak

BASALT POWDER USE IN AGRICULTURE

Today's KNOWLEDGE Share
*BASALT POWDER IN AGRICULTURE*
Scientific research on Basalt Powder
It is not a fertilizer nor a phytopharm. The basalt Powder, obtained from grinding the effusive volcanic rock as defined by Fabio Fioravanti “represents the mother’s milk of the earth being carriers of primordial forces.

In biodynamic agriculture:
#BasaltPowder is an important ingredient in the composition of the Fladen preparation. Basalt Powder used for the re-mineralization of compost and topsoil with a 5% integration. Re-mineralization of agricultural land.

Basalt Powder is an effective natural method to supply fertility and nutrients to the soil, in extensive & intensive cultivations, those which most impoverish the soils of mineral elements.

Many studies have shown an increase in cultures yields from two to eight times higher, with immediate effect and with slow release that lasts for up to 24 years.

For example, the application of basalt Powder with a ratio of 150 tons per hectare in woody fields after 24 years produced a wood volume 4 times higher.

Similar results were obtained in crop plants, with more nutrient & fragrance products. Re-mineralization is an important tool for a proper & economical sustainable development, with particular attention to the health of farmland and man through cultivated products. It could play a key role in ecological restoration. For the soil’ re-mineralization we recommend the use of Fine Basal Powder.

In organic and conventional agriculture:
Micronized Basalt Powder purifies only physical action by forming a mechanical barrier on leaves and fruits, creating a thin patina covering the plant’ leaves, this patina does not create difficulties in plant oxygen exchange. Micronized Basalt Powder is a natural corrugator included in the category of “stone or rock powders. The content of silicic acid helps to strengthen the leaves and stems and even the microelements that make up the rock help to strengthen the plant. Micronized Basal Powder also performs mechanical action (physical barrier) & thanks to its hygroscopic characteristics, it can act as a dehydrator by drying the outside of the plants and thus reducing the risks of proliferation and development of parasites

The micronized Basalt Powder sprayed on the olive plant with appropriate dosages hampers the establishment of the “oleaginous bactocera” (olives fly).The vine prevents the proliferation of fungal diseases on the leaf apparatus, & strengthens the plant.

List of benefits by using of micronized basalt Powder

– Provides a continuous and slow release of mineral micro-elements

– Increased nutrient absorption capacity by the plant

– Terrain pH Balance

– Prevents soil erosion

– Increases the resistance of the plant to insects, diseases, frost

– Produces more nutritious, more fragrant crops

– Reduces dependence on pesticide and herbicide fertilizers

BASALT POWDER AVAILABLE IN INDIA

Quantity: 1-100 tons