LyondellBasell installs Colines cast film line in Cincinnati

#LyondellBasell has installed a new 9-layer Colines ALLRollEX cast film line at its Cincinnati Technology Center, expanding its capabilities in high-performance stretch film and complex packaging structures.

The line is designed for flexibility, featuring interchangeable extruder screws, dual-sided corona treatment, and the ability to produce oxygen-barrier films such as ethylene vinyl alcohol. It can operate across a wide thickness range, from 102 to 10 microns, and supports downstream applications including lamination and printing.

“By enhancing our capabilities, we are better positioned to deliver tailored solutions to our customers,” said Mick Hundley, site director at the Cincinnati Technology Center.

Colines Executive President Eraldo Peccetti called the installation an important step forward for both companies’ R&D efforts, enabling exploration of new structures and faster time-to-market for advanced packaging applications.

source : Plastics News / LyondellBasell

Today's KNOWLEDGE Share " The next 24–30 months in automotive.

Today's KNOWLEDGE Share

The next 24–30 months in automotive.

° Flat volumes; Global auto production is forecast to be almost flat to 2027, with annual growth hovering around 0% in many markets.. so profit will come from mix, software and services, not just selling more metal.

° Hybrids are the quiet winners: As pure EV momentum cools, hybrids and plug‑in hybrids are expected to gain double‑digit global market share by 2030, taking a much bigger slice than earlier forecasts suggested.

° EV adoption is now “region‑first”, not “global‑first”: Europe’s EV share could reach roughly a quarter of new sales over 2025–2027, while Australia is seeing ICE at record‑low share, with EVs near 10% and hybrids above 15% of new car sales already.

° Software-defined vehicles are exploding: The SDV market is projected to grow from around USD 200+ billion mid‑decade toward USD 1.2 trillion by 2030, compounding at well over 20% annually.

° Suppliers are being squeezed: Global supplier studies show stagnating production, fast‑rising software and electronics content, and growing margin pressure - especially for hardware‑heavy and ICE‑centric portfolios.

source : Harel Shachar

#automotive #EV #hybrid

Amcor CleanStream® supports Decathlon’s carbon footprint reduction commitment

Amcor, a global leader in developing and producing responsible packaging solutions, has produced a skincare stick applicator for sports brand Decathlon, using recycled plastic sourced from Amcor’s proprietary CleanStream® technology.

The choice of Amcor’s 25 ml stick reflects Decathlon’s commitment to reducing its carbon footprint. With 87% rPP, each applicator offers a 17% lower CO2 impact versus virgin resin. As the stick applicators are mono-material, they are also recycle-ready and can be recycled where the appropriate infrastructure is in place.

Our customers want a quality product that they can easily use on the move, so the stick format is ideal. We challenged ourselves to also provide a more sustainable option that would still deliver the high performance,” says Laurent Dujardin, product & pack engineer, Health & Sports Accessories at Decathlon.

As a brand, Decathlon is committed to reducing absolute Scope 1, 2 and Scope 3 GHG emissions by 42% by 2030, compared to the 2021 base year. The use of CleanStream aligns with this goal. The proprietary technology mechanically recycles household polypropylene (PP) waste into high-quality recycled plastic suitable for contact-sensitive applications – using automated identification, sorting and decontamination to achieve the quality of polymer required.

The format is being used by Decathlon for two products, an anti-chafing stick and a sunscreen stick.

The anti-chafing stick was designed by a team of athletes. A key consideration was for the product to be easy to apply without the user getting their hands dirty, as well as the pack being small and easy to carry.

The same logic applies to the SPF50+ sunscreen stick, which is water and sweat-resistant to suit sportspeople.

Amcor’s stick offers a wide surface area that enables the consumer to quickly and efficiently apply the product contents, while being small enough for easy transport.

“The ability to include #rPP through our proprietary CleanStream technology means we can offer brands like Decathlon the perfect combination of convenience, performance and environmental responsibility,” said Marine Sueur, sales director, France at #Amcor.

source :Amcor

Biochem and BASF Announce Agreement for Biochem’s Acquisition of BASF's Global Glycinate Business

Biochem, an innovative animal nutrition company specializing in feed additives and dietary supplements, and BASF have entered into a binding agreement on Biochem’s acquisition of BASF's global glycinate business.

This strategic acquisition reinforces Biochem's role as a pioneer in high-performance organic trace minerals (OTMs) since 1992 and broadens its global market presence. By acquiring this business, Biochem gains enhanced market access and a well-established network of distribution partners from BASF, guaranteeing a seamless transition for all customers worldwide.

Following BASF’s recent announcement to explore strategic options for its feed enzyme business, for BASF, this divestiture represents another step in refining the portfolio toward core ingredients for human and animal nutrition. While the review of strategic options for the feed enzyme business is still underway, the company remains fully committed to supporting customers and advancing the business driving growth and innovation throughout this transition.

The glycinate portfolios of both companies share a strong, science-backed value proposition, focused on delivering superior results for animal producers, namely:

Improved Animal Performance: The high bioavailability of glycinates ensures better mineral absorption, which directly supports animal health, immunity, and growth.

Environmental Sustainability: Using highly efficient minerals reduces the excretion of key trace elements like zinc and copper into the environment, helping producers meet increasingly strict regulations.

Feed Formulation Stability: The chemically stable structure of glycinates prevents negative interactions with sensitive feed ingredients like vitamins and enzymes, preserving overall diet quality.

This acquisition is a pivotal moment for Biochem, but more importantly, for feed and animal protein producers around the world. By integrating #BASF's glycinate business, we are bringing our sustainable and science-driven portfolio to an even larger global audience, empowering farmers to produce food more efficiently and sustainably.

Expressing confidence in the transition, Uta Dirring, Head of Global Product Management & Marketing Feed Enzymes & Feed PIs at BASF, said, "We take great pride in the high-quality glycinate business we have built, founded on scientific innovation and strong partnerships. Biochem's long-standing expertise and pioneer status in organic trace minerals make them the ideal new home for this business. We are confident that our glycinates, and most importantly our valued partners and customers, will be in excellent hands."

Biochem, a longtime pioneer in organic trace minerals, will integrate BASF's products into its portfolio. For decades, #Biochem has been at the forefront with its premium EcoTrace® and B.I.O.Key® lines, with EcoTrace® first launching in 2007.

source : Biochem

Today's KNOWLEDGE Share : What brings when adding Graphene powder with concrete and rubbers

Today's KNOWLEDGE Share

We’ve been busy behind the scenes… testing #graphene where it really matters: inside everyday materials.

Over the last quarter, our team has been working with customers in construction and elastomers to trial our synthetic graphene powder in two high-impact composites:

Concrete

By adding tiny % levels of graphene (70grams per tonne of concrete), we’re seeing:

- Higher compressive strength

- Lower cement demand per m³

- Lower cement = lower CO₂ footprint per project.

Tyres & Rubber

Graphene isn’t just filler, it modifies how rubber chains slide and recover.

Benefits our customers are exploring:

- Lower rolling resistance = energy savings

- Better wear resistance and tear strength = longer life

- Improved wet grip via enhanced viscoelastic behaviour

Minor additions of graphene (<0.1–1.0%) can change how materials behave, enabling stronger, lighter, more durable products.

If your company is evaluating sustainability initiatives, meeting performance targets, or seeking supply cost reductions through composite enhancements, we’re ready to collaborate!

source : Samuel Taubert

#Graphene #Composites

Zhengzhou Textile Machinery and MAE S.p.A. cooperate to develop carbon fibre carbonisation plant

Founded in 1949, ZFJ is a key enterprise directly managed by China National Machinery Industry Corporation (Sinomach), a subsidiary of textile manufacturing giant China National Machinery Industry Group. The company exports its products to over 70 countries and regions, supported by a well-established international service network.

MAE is a globally recognised manufacturer of carbon fibre production plants, with extensive experience in engineering design. Its expertise covers the entire production chain: from licensed technologies for precursor production (suspension and solution polymerisation, solution preparation, wet and dry-wet spinning, solvent recovery, and waste precursor solution recovery) to the supply of complete carbonisation lines for fibres based on polyacrylonitrile (PAN), cellulose, pitch and other types of precursors.

MAE created in 2005 its own operating branch in Shanghai. In 2021, the company based in the Italian northern city of Piacenza announced it would carry out a contract in China for a total of 73.5 M euros (RMB 560 million), for the construction of plants dedicated to the production of carbon fibre. 

Also in 2021, the company opened the MAE Museum, located at MAE’s Italian headquarters. It is a museum about #carbonfibre, built largely out of carbon fibre, both new and recycled, pursuing a circular approach to design.

Know-how integration

The agreement provides for collaboration between the parties, focused on integrating their respective technical skills while respecting each company’s area of expertise. The transfer of knowledge will be based exclusively on technological know-how already present in both companies.

The main areas of cooperation include:

Joint development and production of carbonisation lines for the conversion of #PANprecursor fibres into carbon fibres, aimed at optimising production efficiency and product quality.

Integration of technical resources and research and development activities to address technological challenges in the construction of machinery used in carbon fibre production plants.

Creation of exchange and training programmes for technical personnel to promote the growth of interdisciplinary teams.

This strategic partnership aims to generate mutual benefits. ZFJ will be able to further strengthen its technological capabilities in the carbonisation plants sector, reinforcing its position in the value chain of new composite materials.

The collaboration responds to the growing demand for carbon fibre in high-tech sectors such as aerospace, automotive (new energy vehicles) and wind energy. The agreement combines Italian engineering with established Chinese industrial capacity and quality standards, with the goal of making a tangible contribution to the technological advancement of the new materials sector. 

photo: ZFJ-MAE2

source: Jeccomposites

Every sales team wants more leads through Marketing

Every sales team wants more leads.

But not everyone has a system.

They treat pipeline like it's supposed to magically appear.

Send some emails. Post on LinkedIn occasionally.

Hope marketing figures it out.

The teams that are actually hitting quota have a repeatable process:

→ They know exactly who they're targeting

(not "mid-market SaaS" - actual companies with specific triggers)

→ They have daily non-negotiables

(50 personalized touches, 10 discovery calls booked per week minimum)

→ They track what converts

(not activities - actual reply rates, meeting show rates, opportunity creation)

The difference shows up fast.

Ask a rep how they're generating pipeline.

If they have a real system, they'll walk you through it in 30 seconds.

List building. Outreach cadence. What's working. How they're improving it.

If they don't, you'll hear "working my accounts" and "staying busy."

Pipeline isn't about hoping harder.

It's about having a process that compounds every single week.

What's one thing in your lead gen system that's actually working right now?

Activate to view larger image,

source: Haris Halkic