𝗔𝗺𝗲𝗿𝗶𝗰𝗮’𝘀 𝗠𝗮𝗴𝗻𝗲𝘁 𝗠𝗼𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁

 𝗔𝗺𝗲𝗿𝗶𝗰𝗮’𝘀 𝗠𝗮𝗴𝗻𝗲𝘁 𝗠𝗼𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁

North America’s #magnet industry is quietly powering into a new era

Now worth $𝟱.𝟭𝗕 and growing faster than global averages at 𝟱.𝟱%

1️⃣ 𝗡𝗱𝗙𝗲𝗕 magnets dominate with 𝟱𝟭% market share, driven by EV and wind growth.

2️⃣ #Automotive accounts for nearly 40% of demand, making magnets the new oil wells of electrification.

3️⃣ U.S. policy and capital are fueling domestic production, #recycling, and feedstock recovery.

𝗕𝗨𝗧:

China still refines 90% of #NdFeB and controls most magnet patents and pricing.

At 𝗥𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝗘𝗮𝗿𝘁𝗵 𝗘𝘅𝗰𝗵𝗮𝗻𝗴𝗲𝘀, our latest Magnet Market Rankings show which North American projects are best positioned to close that gap

🔗https://lnkd.in/ei28BiRX

🔗https://lnkd.in/efqzt3bn

source : Rare Earth Exchanges

Today's KNOWLEDGE Share : The Reynolds number

Today's KNOWLEDGE Share

The Reynolds number is one of the most important, yet often misunderstood or overlooked, metrics for injection molding. This critical value predicts fluid flow patterns in cooling systems, determining whether coolant flow is laminar or turbulent. At a Reynolds number below 4,000, coolant flows in smooth layers with minimal mixing, leading to poor heat transfer and unstable mold temperatures. Above 4,000, the transition to turbulent flow enhances cooling efficiency, with an ideal range between 4,000 and 8,000.

Inefficient cooling can cause a host of issues, from long cycle times and deformed parts to weld lines, poor surface finish, and incorrect dimensions. Scale buildup as minimal as 0.020 inch can act like adding 2 inches of steel between coolant and polymer, severely degrading thermal transfer. Fortunately, solutions like descaling systems and thermal mapping can address these challenges and improve overall equipment effectiveness (OEE).

Coolant temperature control inside the mold is critical to performance and quality, making an effective Reynolds number essential for efficient thermal transfer. How do you monitor and maintain cooling efficiency in your injection molding processes? What challenges have you faced with mold temperature control?

source : Plastics Technology

Omani Packaging Supplier Expands Medical Plastics Capacity

When demand for patient belongings bags spiked during the COVID-19 pandemic, Apex TransGulf Manufacturing tripled productivity by developing a machine shown here that reduced the need for manual labor, resulting in double-digit savings for its customers.Apex TransGulf Manufacturing.

Oman-based Apex TransGulf Manufacturing announced this week that it is expanding capacity with new production lines dedicated to medical-grade plastic products. The family-owned company operates a facility at the Salalah Free Zone specialized in polyethylene packaging and thread. The expansion, valued at 11.9 million Omani rial ($31 million), is part of the newly established Ladayn Plastics Industries Programme.

A first for the Sultanate of Oman

The expansion leverages locally sourced raw materials from OQ, Oman’s global integrated energy group, while benefiting from a free trade agreement to serve regional and international markets, said Apex. #ApexTransGulf Manufacturing is one of nine projects inaugurated at Sohar Industrial City under the Ladayn Plastics Industries Programme, which was officially commissioned on Dec. 18, 2025. The first initiative of its kind in the sultanate, the program is designed to create a national industrial framework connecting polymer production at OQ’s industrial complexes with downstream manufacturing across industrial cities and free trade zones. Total investment reportedly amounts to approximately 40 million Omani rial ($104 million) and it is expected to create around 200 direct jobs, in addition to indirect employment across supply chains.

Specialized in polyethylene and polypropylene packaging

Apex TransGulf Manufacturing has been operating as a Salalah Free Zone–registered company since 2015, specializing in the manufacture of polyethylene and polypropylene packaging, predominantly for the healthcare sector, according to Apex TransGulf Managing Director Shayan N Sumar. “We manufacture Class I and Class II medical devices registered with the US Food and Drug Administration, with the United States and Europe representing our key export markets,” said Sumar.

Capacity has doubled in 2025 through closer integration with OQ, added Sumar. “We currently operate 14 blown-film production lines and are adding three new lines, increasing our output from 1,200 to 1,500 tonnes to approximately 2,500 tonnes per month.

Sustainability commitment

Apex TransGulf Manufacturing is committed to sustainable practices and good environmental stewardship, emphasized Sumar, noting that the company offers PFAS-free products that comply with European and US regulations, as well as compostable alternatives made from FDA-registered resins.

source : Norbert Sparrow-Plastics Today

Today's KNOWLEDGE Share : Eliminating Gels in Plastic Film Production

Today's KNOWLEDGE Share

Eliminating Gels in Plastic Film Production:

Gels and fish eyes are among the most common defects in plastic film extrusion tiny impurities or agglomerates that compromise optical clarity, surface smoothness, and mechanical strength.

Main causes include:

Contaminated or poorly filtered material

Discontinuous filtration

Unstable temperature or pressure during extrusion

👉 The answer lies in continuous filtration, maintaining constant pressure and removing impurities without stopping production.

One of the most remarkable features of our AP series (https://lnkd.in/dJrHhs66) is its ability to remove gels and fish eyes during film production.

This is possible thanks to:

🔹 Cylindrical filters with a particularly large filtration area

🔹 The use of metal non-woven mesh, with filtration capacity from 3 to 100 µm

🔹 Exceptionally effective removal of micro-defects

With traditional flat filters, these meshes cannot be used — back pressure would simply be too high.

✅ Fewer impurities

✅ Cleaner, more homogeneous films

✅ More stable and efficient extrusion

Efficient filtration means superior product quality.

source : Alessandro Fabbri -Cofit

#plasticprocessing #extrusion

Arkema announces a proposed divestment in plastic additives

Arkema announces the proposed divestment to the Indian group Praana of some of its businesses in impact modifiers and processing aids, additives used in the manufacture of #PVCprofiles, pipes and packaging as well as engineering plastics. With this project, the Group continues to refocus its portfolio on its strategic activities.

This proposed divestment concerns Arkema's impact modifiers and processing aids businesses, and covers the global scope for Methyl Methacrylate Butadiene Styrene (#MBS) copolymers as well as the European and Asian scope for acrylic copolymers (AIMPA).

These activities, part of the Coating Solutions segment, generated €44 million sales in 2024.

This project entails the divestment of the Vlissingen production facility in the Netherlands which employs 50 people. On the other hand, #Arkema will keep within its scope the Mobile plant (United States) as well as all the entirety of its American AIMPA businesses.

These plastic additives enable notably to enhance impact resistance and optimize the productivity of extrusion and molding processes for PVC and for a number of composites used in the construction and packaging sectors.

The Indian group #Praana is a leading producer of specialty chemicals and composite materials comprising #SterlingSpecialtyChemicals, #GalataChemicals, Artek Surfin Chemicals, and #3BFibreglass, which offer advanced solutions for the construction, textile, automotive, cleaning and personal care products industries as well as various industrial markets.

This proposed divestment is expected to be finalized in the first quarter of 2026 and is subject to a preliminary information and consultation process involving the employee representative bodies in the Netherlands.

Arkema thus continues to actively manage its portfolio and to refocus on strategic and higher value-added activities in Specialty Materials.

source : Arkema

Bio-resin Scores on Two Wheels and Four

 Japanese automaker Honda has adopted Durabio, a bio-based polycarbonate engineering plastic from Mitsubishi Chemical, in two of its latest models traversing Japanese streets. The plastic is being employed on two wheels for the colored bodywork and windshield of its X-ADV motorcycles sold in Japan since December 2024. Further, Durabio has been utilized in the instrument panel of the N-ONE e — a new mini passenger electric vehicle launched by Honda in September 2025.

Colorful paintless options:

As well as providing the toughness and other features required for motorcycle bodywork parts, Durabio can be given a glossy, sophisticated finish via the addition of colorants. The added value derived from eliminating the conventional painting process was a major factor in the decision to adopt Durabio for this application, marking its first use for paintless bodywork for motorcycles. Honda was also cognizant of the ability to reduce VOC emissions by opting for a paintless process.

Durabio has already won acclaim for its outstanding protection against headwinds when used in the windshields of Honda motorcycles. Eco-conscious riders in Europe may like to know that Durabio has also been adopted for the bodywork and windshields of the FORZA 750 and NC750X models available there.

Plant-based isosorbide origin:

Durabio is a bio-based engineering plastic made from isosorbide, a renewable plant-derived raw material. It exhibits outstanding toughness, scratch resistance, and excellent colorability, and is being used in a range of fields, including automotive interior and exterior parts, components for optical and electronic devices, and other products used in everyday life. Besides its transparency and optical properties, the plant-derived polymer also, by nature, excels in weather resistance and durability.

source : Plastics Today

 

Today's KNOWLEDGE Share : Hemp vs Flax

Today's KNOWLEDGE Share

Hemp vs Flax: Which Natural Textile is the Most Eco-Friendly?

‍Both hemp fabric and linen are eco-friendly natural textiles with a neutral pH that makes them perfect for sensitive skin. Both materials have been used for thousands of years to make clothing, bedding, and other fabrics.

 

What is hemp fabric?

Hemp fabric is a natural textile made from the fibers of the hemp plant. Originally cultivated in northern China and later in Europe, hemp has been grown for thousands of years and has many uses. Hemp fabric is made from fibers taken from the plant’s inner bark and is naturally long, strong, and durable. The long fibers allow the fabric to be woven into many different types of fabric, including linen, denim, and canvas. Hemp fabric is naturally eco-friendly and biodegradable, making it a great choice for fashion designers, home decorators, and eco-conscious consumers. Hemp fabric is also naturally strong and durable, making it a great material to use for clothing and home textiles as it is simple to maintain. It even has medical benefits for people with sensitive skin. Hemp fabric is naturally anti-microbial and anti-fungal, which makes it a great choice for people who are allergic to certain fabrics or cannot tolerate synthetic materials.

 

What is flax linen fabric?

Flax linen fabric is a natural textile made from the fibers of the flax plant. The flax plant has been cultivated for thousands of years and is most commonly found in Northern Europe. Flax linen fabric is made from the fibers taken from the plant’s stalk and is traditionally woven into linen fabric. Like hemp, flax linen fabric is naturally eco-friendly and biodegradable. Flax linen fabric is also naturally strong and durable, albeit less so than hemp.

 

The competition

Both fabrics boast eco-friendly qualities. The main reason that flax linen bedding is widespread while hemp linen is only just making a come back is because of the harsh regulatory conditions that the hemp industry was up against in Australia between 1937 and 2017. The production of hemp fabric tends to require fewer harmful chemicals and pesticides that flax as the low levels of THC present act as a natural pest repellant.

 

Why hemp makes the best bedding

One of the most common uses of hemp fabric is as bedding. All of the reasons you love your flax linen bedding are matched by hemp bed linen. Hemp fabric is naturally anti-microbial and anti-fungal, making it a great option for people with sensitive skin. Additionally, hemp fabric is naturally anti-bacterial, so it can help protect against dust mites, which are common causes of allergic reactions and asthma in people with sensitive skin. Hemp fabric is also naturally breathable and insulating, making it a great option no matter the season. 

 

source : Calvi Co