Kumho Mitsui Chemicals to Increase Capacity of MDI Production Facilities

Mitsui Chemicals, Inc. today announced that affiliate Kumho Mitsui Chemicals Inc. has decided to further increase the capacity of its production facilities for #methylenediphenyldiisocyanate (MDI).

MDI is a key raw material for polyurethane, widely used in automotive parts, furniture and bedding, insulation for homes and refrigerators, elastic fibers, and various adhesives. Demand for MDI is projected to grow at an annual rate of 5 percent going forward on account of policy measures around the globe to improve residential insulation as a means of global warming suppression, as well as due to the heightened demand accompanying economic growth.

Kumho Mitsui Chemicals manufactures and sells high-performance monomeric, modified, and high-viscosity polymeric types of MDI used for making auto parts, elastic fibers, and highly flame-retardant insulation materials, as well as commodity polymeric MDI used for making housing and home appliance insulation. The facility is already operating at full capacity following a 200,000-ton capacity increase in 2024. With this new capacity increase, Kumho Mitsui Chemicals will be able to accommodate growing demand for not only automotive materials, but also the high-performance MDI used in flame-retardant insulation materials.

Furthermore, this move will make full use of the recycling facilities introduced during the previous 200,000-ton capacity increase, reducing GHG emissions per unit of MDI produced. Through these efforts, Kumho Mitsui Chemicals aims to simultaneously reduce the plant’s carbon footprint while improving energy efficiency, thereby contributing to cost rationalization and the establishment of a sustainable production system.

#KumhoMitsuiChemicals is aiming to become a global leader for #MDI. With this capacity increase, Mitsui Chemicals will pursue both expansion of the MDI business which is projected for continued growth going forward – and further improvements to the performance of its MDI products.

source : Mitsui Chemicals

Microorganisms and viruses to accelerate the biodegradation of bioplastics

Growing concern about plastic waste management and the need to reduce dependence on fossil fuels has driven the development of bioplastics, whose global production capacity will reach 5.7 million tonnes in 2029, according to the European Bioplastics Association. However, the current configuration of some composting and anaerobic digestion plants does not always ensure that these materials are completely degraded, which poses a challenge for the environment and for waste recovery.

To respond to this challenge, AIMPLAS, the Plastics Technology Centre, is coordinating the MICROFAGO project, in which the Department of Plant Biology of the Faculty of Pharmacy at the University of Valencia, Darwin Bioprospecting Excellence, Evolving Therapeutics and the company Gestión Integral de Residuos Sólidos (Girsa) are participating. The initiative proposes an innovative solution: accelerating the decomposition of compostable bioplastics in organic waste treatment processes through the combined use of microorganisms and natural viruses (phages) that promote faster and more effective #biodegradation.

#AIMPLAS has highlighted that this project represents a step forward in ensuring that bioplastics truly fulfil their sustainable function. ‘MICROFAGO will allow us to improve the treatment processes of compostable bioplastics without the need to modify existing facilities, which is key to facilitating their implementation,’ said Giovanni Gadaleta, a researcher at the Biodegradability and Compostability Laboratory at AIMPLAS.

An innovative and accessible solution

The project’s approach is simple: on the one hand, phages will be used, which act on bacteria that hinder degradation, thus favouring the work of beneficial #microorganisms. And, on the other hand, the presence of microorganisms that actively help to break down bioplastics will be enhanced by introducing them into the process to reinforce biodegradation.

In Gadaleta’s words, ‘the key is to identify the most active microorganisms and ensure that they are present in sufficient quantities for the #biologicaldecomposition process to be truly efficient.’ He also pointed out that the effectiveness of these techniques will be evaluated on different scales laboratory, pilot and industrial and compared with biodegradation or fragmentation tests regulated by current legislation.

This project is funded by the Valencian Institute of Competitiveness and Innovation (IVACE+i), through the Strategic Cooperation Projects programme in its 2024 call for proposals, and ERDF funds.

source : AIMPLAS

Today's KNOWLEDGE Share : Example of Polyimide film formation method

Today's KNOWLEDGE Share

Example of Polyimide film formation method – Episode of Spin Coat

🖊️Overview of the Spin-Coating Method for Polyimide

🫗Spin coating process

1. Dispense polyimide onto a glass substrate and spread it across the surface.

2. Rotate the glass substrate to evenly distribute the polyimide.

3. Subject the glass substrate to drying and curing processes.

4. Peel off the polyimide film from the glass substrate to complete the process.

🧙🏼Film thickness control in spin coating

1. Rotation speed,

2. Rotation time,

3. Solution viscosity,

4. Solution concentration,

5. Droplet volume,

6. Substrate condition

UBE’s UPIA-ST-1001 enables the production of low-CTE films, making it a preferred material for film substrates.

source : Tomoyuki Minamoto

Work hard in silence, let success be your noise -Success story of the True Achiever

Pawan Kumar Chandana, co-founder and CEO of Skyroot Aerospace, is a shining example of how passion, resilience, and vision can triumph over conventional academic metrics.

Despite scoring only 51 out of 100 in mathematics during his school years, Chandana went on to graduate from IIT Kharagpur with dual degrees in mechanical engineering and thermal science and engineering, later working as a rocket scientist at ISRO for six years before launching India’s first private rocket manufacturing facility.

Journey and Achievements

Chandana’s path from a student with average marks to a pioneering entrepreneur was marked by his unwavering focus on space technology.

He contributed to major ISRO projects, including the GSLV Mk-III and the S200 solid rocket booster, before co-founding Skyroot Aerospace in 2018.

Skyroot Aerospace made history in November 2022 by launching “Vikram-S,” *India’s first privately built rocket*, from Sriharikota.

This milestone marked the beginning of India’s private space industry and demonstrated the potential of homegrown innovation

Inspiration for Young Innovators

Chandana’s story is especially inspiring for students who feel constrained by their academic scores.

His journey proves that marks are not the sole measure of one’s potential. His success is rooted in his deep passion for rocketry, persistence through challenges, and the courage to pursue unconventional dreams.

Skyroot Aerospace has since grown into India’s largest private rocket manufacturing facility, further cementing Chandana’s status as a trailblazer in the field.

Key Milestones

Graduated from IIT Kharagpur with dual degrees.

Worked as a scientist at ISRO, contributing to flagship projects.

Co-founded Skyroot Aerospace in 2018.

Led the *launch of “Vikram-S,” India’s first privately built rocket*, in 2022.

Built India’s largest private rocket manufacturing facility.

Pawan Kumar Chandana’s story is a powerful reminder that with belief in one’s ideas, focus, and resilience, anyone can achieve extraordinary things, regardless of their academic background.

source Harshad Shah

Today's KNOWLEDGE Share : 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗣𝗹𝗮𝘀𝘁𝗶𝗰 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗣𝗲𝘁𝗰𝗵𝗲𝗺 𝗔𝗽𝗼𝗰𝗮𝗹𝘆𝗽𝘀𝗲: 𝗜𝘀 𝗧𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗘𝗻𝗱 𝗼𝗳 𝗮𝗻 𝗘𝗿𝗮?

Today's KNOWLEDGE Share

𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗣𝗹𝗮𝘀𝘁𝗶𝗰 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗣𝗲𝘁𝗰𝗵𝗲𝗺 𝗔𝗽𝗼𝗰𝗮𝗹𝘆𝗽𝘀𝗲: 𝗜𝘀 𝗧𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗘𝗻𝗱 𝗼𝗳 𝗮𝗻 𝗘𝗿𝗮? 🚨

Folks in chemicals, energy, and manufacturing – buckle up. The global petrochemical industry isn't just in a slump; it's in a full-blown crisis that's reshaping everything we know. Overcapacity (thanks, China), stagnant demand, sky-high energy costs, and trade wars are crushing margins and forcing giants to their knees. We're talking asset closures, massive restructurings, and a recovery that might not hit until 2028... or later.

📌𝗞𝗲𝘆 𝘀𝗵𝗼𝗰𝗸𝗲𝗿𝘀 𝗳𝗿𝗼𝗺 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗹𝗮𝘁𝗲𝘀𝘁 𝗮𝗻𝗮𝗹𝘆𝘀𝗶𝘀:

🔹China's Self-Sufficiency Bomb: Their state-fuelled expansions have slashed imports, killing the demand engine that powered the world. No more "Supercycle" – volatility is the new normal.

🔹𝗕𝗶𝗴 𝗣𝗹𝗮𝘆𝗲𝗿𝘀 𝗕𝗹𝗲𝗲𝗱𝗶𝗻𝗴: SABIC's ditching European assets. Exxon, Dow, and DuPont are slashing high-cost ops. LyondellBasell is shutting naphtha plants and chasing recycling. Even Hanwha in Korea is government-forced to cut 25% capacity. Survival of the fittest? More like survival of the lowest feedstock producers.

🔹𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗚𝗿𝗲𝗲𝗻 𝗜𝗿𝗼𝗻𝘆 𝗧𝗵𝗮𝘁'𝘀 𝗞𝗶𝗹𝗹𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗨𝘀: Environmental Hype and misinformation are pushing us toward bio-based products and alternatives like paper/glass/tin – but science says they often generate MORE waste and GHG emissions than fossil-based plastics and cost more. Yet, fossil producers stay silent while environmental groups drive the narrative. Time to fight back or fade away?

This isn't a blip; it's a systemic shakeout. Consolidation is coming, regional champs will rise, and only the innovative (think AI, digital transformation, circular economy) will thrive. But here's the provocative truth:

Sustainability mandates could backfire spectacularly if we're chasing feel-good myths over hard facts.

What’s your view? Are we witnessing the death of traditional Petchem, or a painful rebirth?

Drop your thoughts, predictions, or war stories below. Interested to hear your take on this, Let's debate! 👇

source : Daniel O'Kelly

A mega production base for T1000 carbon fibre is launched in China

A high-performance #carbonfibre project in Datong, North China’s Shanxi Province, was completed and put into operation. The 200-metric-tonne-per-year demonstration line, which achieves domestic mass production of 12K small-tow T1000 carbon fibre, began construction in June 2024. It represents the first phase of the 1,000-tonne high-performance carbon fibre project led by Shanxi Huayang Carbon Material Technology (Huayang Carbon), a company jointly established in 2023 by #Huayang New Material Technology Group, the Datong city government and the Institute of Coal Chemistry under the Chinese Academy of Sciences.

According to Huayang Carbon, the #T1000 carbon fibre produced by the project has a single filament diameter of only 6 to 7 micrometres less than one-tenth the width of a human hair but with a tensile strength exceeding 6,400 MPa. Its density is only one-quarter that of steel, yet it is more than five times as strong.

A 1-metre-long strand weighs just 0.5 grammes but can carry a load of 200 kilograms. It is resistant to high temperatures and corrosion, remains chemically inert in acidic and alkaline environments and has excellent thermal and electrical conductivity.

Advanced technologies in the coal mining region of northern China

A key pillar of China’s strategic emerging industries, high performance carbon fibre is useful in national #defence, #aerospace, #railtransportation and the fast-growing low-altitude economy. It is also used in wind turbine blades and sports equipment, according to experts.

Cao Rongxiang, deputy secretary-general of the Shanxi provincial government, told Chinese media: “The project has not only achieved a breakthrough in core high-performance carbon fibre technology, but also filled an industrial gap in the province.

#China is already a major global producer of carbon fibre, but it long faced a bottleneck in scaling up production of high-quality grades. The Datong project represents a key step in overcoming this challenge

As domestic manufacturers continue to overcome technical barriers and ramp up production, carbon fibre costs will fall sharply, Xiang Ligang said. That will open the door to far broader adoption, such as in shipbuilding, transportation equipment, vehicle components and unmanned logistics vehicles, reshaping the foundations of multiple industries, in particular emerging technologies.

Another Chinese company has also developed technology for the mass production of T1000 grade carbon fibre: in 2023, the “ultra-high-strength #ZA60XC (T1000 grade) #PAN carbon fibre 1,000-tonne industrial production technology” completed by Changsheng Technology, based in Hebei province, and Shenzhen University through collaborative technical research, passed the appraisal of scientific and technological achievements. 

source : Jeccomposites

Cover photo: Huayang Carbon)

Today's KNOWLEDGE Share : Hydrogen Permeation in Type IV Composite Cylinders

Today's KNOWLEDGE Share

Hydrogen Permeation in Type IV Composite Cylinders

✔️The rapid expansion of the hydrogen economy has increased reliance on Type IV composite cylinders for high-pressure storage. While these cylinders provide significant weight and performance advantages, hydrogen permeation through polymer liners & composite structures remains a critical technical & regulatory challenge.

🧪1. Market and Pressure Requirements

Global growth in hydrogen applications has driven storage pressure requirements to 350–700 bar for Type IV hydrogen cylinders, significantly higher than those for CNG systems. These elevated pressures introduce new demands on composite design, material selection, & long-term durability.

🧪2. Hydrogen Transport Characteristics

Hydrogen’s small molecular size and high diffusivity enable rapid migration through polymeric materials. It disperses quickly in air, rising approximately twice as fast as helium and six times faster than natural gas (~20 m/s). Hydrogen becomes flammable at concentrations above 4% by volume, with explosive conditions beginning near 18.3%, underscoring the importance of permeation control over extended service life.

🧪3. Regulatory Impact on Cylinder Design

Standards such as ECE R134 impose stringent safety margins on Type IV hydrogen cylinders, including burst pressure requirements approaching 2,000 bar. Compliance typically results in:

Increased filament winding time

Greater composite wall thickness (≈20–40 mm)

Higher material and processing costs

🧪4. Material Systems and Barrier Performance

Current epoxy resin systems offer acceptable mechanical performance but limited hydrogen barrier capability. Incremental improvements in epoxy chemistry through enhanced crosslink density, toughness modifiers, and functional additives present a viable pathway to reducing hydrogen diffusion while maintaining manufacturability and cost efficiency.

🧪5. Industry Challenges and Development Focus

Even established, certified Type IV cylinder manufacturers continue to face permeation-related issues. Effective mitigation requires an integrated understanding of:

Hydrogen diffusion mechanisms

Polymer liner behavior

Epoxy and additive chemistry

Long-term aging under cyclic pressure

🧪6. Permeation Metrics and Service Life

Hydrogen permeation is typically quantified in grams per day at the cylinder level. Lower permeation rates directly enhance safety margins & enable operational lifetimes exceeding 20 years. Barrier performance must be treated as a primary design parameter during prototype development.

✔️Conclusion

Hydrogen permeation in Type IV composite cylinders is a material-driven challenge that cannot be resolved through structural reinforcement alone. Focused innovation in barrier materials, combined with rigorous testing and cross-disciplinary collaboration, is essential to enabling safe, & durable, regulation-compliant.

Photo : Hexagon Purus