Today's KNOWLEDGE Share : Cast Nylon 6 Explained: Inside Nylatron®’s Strength and Versatility:

Today's KNOWLEDGE Share

Cast Nylon 6 Explained: Inside Nylatron®’s Strength and Versatility:

Cast nylon 6 has been a game-changer since its commercialization in the 1960s. In addition to offering a strong, versatile alternative to traditional metals, the castability of this second-generation nylon unlocked a new industry for large parts that Mitsubishi Chemical Group (MCG) still serves today with its Nylatron™ cast nylon 6 range of high-performance materials.

From gears and bearings to rollers and wear pads, cast nylon has become an engineering staple prized for its strength, machinability, and versatility.

Among these materials, Nylatron® Cast Nylon 6 stands out for its ability to replace metal components in demanding applications while offering lighter weight, quieter performance, and longer service life.

Fast Facts – What You Need to Know:

Cast nylon is created through a controlled chemical reaction, producing large, custom shapes with fewer internal stresses than extruded nylon.

Nylatron® enhances cast nylon with solid lubricants, improving wear resistance and reducing friction in moving parts.

Ideal for #bushings, bearings, sheaves, wear pads, and structural components that demand load-bearing strength and dimensional stability.

Offers excellent machinability — meaning tighter tolerances and smoother finishes in complex components.

Why Cast Nylon?

Cast nylon is formed through a casting process rather than extrusion, allowing for thicker sections, larger parts, and superior molecular structure. This gives it high strength and low internal stress — key advantages in industrial applications where stability under load is critical.

The Nylatron® Difference

Our Nylatron® family of cast nylon materials takes performance further by embedding solid lubricants into the nylon matrix. These lubricants enhance wear resistance and reduce the need for external lubrication, leading to quieter operation, longer component life, and reduced maintenance.

Applications range from high-load #bearings to #conveyor components — wherever reduced friction and long-term stability are essential.

Nylatron® GS

One standout grade is #Nylatron® GS, designed to deliver excellent wear resistance and dimensional stability while offering enhanced machinability. Its low coefficient of friction helps extend component life and reduce energy consumption in systems with continuous motion.

For engineers seeking a metal alternative that delivers on strength, reliability, and precision, Nylatron® #CastNylon6 offers the complete package. Compared to metal components, Nylatron® Cast Nylon 6 delivers:

source : Mitsubishi Chemical Group

UPR manufactures a composite megatank for the food industry

The monoblock composite megatank built by UPR, one of the largest ever manufactured in Brazil, is 22 metres long, has a diameter of 5 metres and a height equivalent to a seven-story building. Built for a food industry company located in the countryside of São Paulo, it is capable of storing 400,000 litres of drinking water.

The megatank required 2 months of work as well as structural adjustments to the factory layout to make production possible. UPR’s engineering team said that the most significant challenge was adapting the production process without interrupting other ongoing projects. To achieve this, stages such as alignment and structural reinforcement of the megatank were divided into phases. This ensured operational safety and dimensional accuracy. In total, 12 tonnes of raw materials were used.

Besides, the megatank needed additional hot-air post-curing to be adapted to food storage. It also included a hydrostatic test performed at UPR’s facilities to control potential leaks.

UPR considers the production of the megatank as a practical demonstration of its expertise. “Manufacturing equipment of this size is a milestone for any composite producer. It shows that we master every process stage — from engineering to execution — meeting the highest technical standards,” says Guilherme Loterio, UPR’s Industrial Director.

The supply of the tank meets the customer’s need to centralise large-volume storage in a single unit. The demand for composite megatanks has been growing across the chemical,petrochemical and food industries as an alternative to concrete, a heavier and more porous material, comments Loterio.

“Megatanks are becoming a strategic solution for sectors needing to safely and durably store large volumes. Composites offer technical advantages over concrete, such as lower weight, zero porosity and greater design flexibility,” adds Loterio.

source: UPR/ Jeccomposites

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