XENIA PRESENTS ITS RANGE OF THERMOPLASTIC COMPOSITES FOR THE CHEMICAL PROCESS INDUSTRY

In advanced chemical processing, material selection plays a crucial role in ensuring operational continuity, safety, and controlled process conditions.

#Xenia expands its portfolio with a range of conductive thermoplastic solutions engineered to deliver consistent performance even when exposed to corrosive media, elevated temperatures, and stringent ATEX requirements.

Conductive HDPE

The combination of #HDPE and carbon fibre results in a highly electrically conductive composite that offers an excellent balance between mechanical strength, electrical dissipation and chemical resistance.

This material is particularly suited for components requiring mechanical performances and controlled electrical conductivity in industrial applications suchas piping systems and infrastructure,and insulation or protection 

components.

Conductive PP

Xenia’s #PP-based compounds are designed to enhance stiffness, mechanical strength and electrical conductivity while preserving the polymer’s inherent chemical resistance.

Available with different #carbonfibre reinforcement levels (10%, 20%, and 30%), they deliver an optimal balance between electrical conductivity and mechanical robustness, making them ideal for technical parts such as tanks, storage vessels, piping systems and infrastructure.

Conductive PVDF

Compared to neutral PVDF, Xenia’s PVDF-based compounds offer permanent electrical conductivity (down to 10e-2 ohm*m), ensuring stable antistatic performance over time (ATEX Compliance) while preserving #PVDF’s exceptional chemical resistance.

Their V0 fire resistance rating enhances safety, while improved UV resistance extends durability, even in demanding outdoor environments.

These materials are suitable for producing pumps, valves, sensors and cables in contact with fluids, as well as components for batteries and electronic devices.

source : Xenia Materials

Today's KNOWLEDGE Share : The reality of Aramid fibres

Today's KNOWLEDGE Share

The reality of Aramid fibres

0% biodegradable.

That's the harsh reality of aramid fibres like Kevlar, Nomex, and Conex. These materials are engineered to be virtually indestructible (which makes them amazing at protecting lives), but nature has zero ability to break them down.

Think about this: That old firefighting jacket sitting in a landfill isn't decomposing in a few years. It's not decomposing in a few decades. It's essentially a forever fibre, persisting in our environment indefinitely.

The Environmental Double-Hit:

Microfibre pollution: As aramid garments sit in landfills, they slowly fray into microscopic fibres that migrate into our soil and water systems. Just like microplastics, these aramid fragments persist indefinitely in our ecosystems.

Toxic disposal: When incinerated, these flame-resistant fibres (designed NOT to burn) release dangerous gases including carbon monoxide and hydrogen cyanide. Add in the PFAS coatings used for water/oil resistance, and you've got a vicious contamination cocktail leaching from discarded gear.

The Cruel Irony:

The same properties that make aramid garments incredible at protecting firefighters, military personnel, and industrial workers in extreme conditions make them environmental nightmares at end-of-life.

Every retired FR coverall, every decommissioned military uniform, every worn-out firefighting suit becomes a permanent addition to our planet's pollution burden.

With 100,000+ tonnes of aramid fibre produced each year, and most end-of-life aramid garments still landfilled or incinerated, we’re creating mountains of ‘forever waste', with no natural exit strategy.

Who should bear responsibility for this forever waste: the manufacturers who make it, the organisations who buy it, or the waste companies who bury it?

source : Justin Norton

#Aramid #circulareconomy #kevlar

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