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Arkema wins award for ZEBRA project The JEC Composites Innovation Awards 2025 ceremony held on 13th of this month, rewarded 11 innovative collaborative projects. Arkema and its partners won in the "renewable energies" category for the ZEBRA project. ZEBRA stands for Zero wastE Blade ReseArch. A research project launched in 2020 in full confinement with the aim of creating the first 100% recyclable wind turbine blade. A project which, 5 years on, has lived up to its promise. The Awards recognize the research work of the teams who have succeeded in developing the world's largest 100% recyclable wind turbine blade using our Elium® thermoplastic resin and a Bostik adhesive. "The JEC Award for the ZEBRA project in the renewable energy category is a major recognition for Arkema and Elium® resin, underlining our commitment to sustainable innovation. This distinction reflects our ability to offer advanced solutions that combine performance, sustainability and respect for the...

Today's KNOWLEDGE Share BASF launches innovative Ultramid® T6000 grade for electric vehicle applications BASF’s newly developed flame retardant (FR) grade of Ultramid® T6000 polyphthalamide (PPA) is now used in terminal block application. This upgraded solution replaces non-FR material, enhancing safety for the inverter and motor system in electric vehicles (EVs). Ultramid T6000 bridges the gap between traditional PA66 and PA6T, offering superior mechanical and dielectric properties, particularly in humid conditions and at elevated temperatures. Its easy processing and low corrosion on tools make it the preferred choice for complex automotive applications. With its wide range of pre-color options, including vibrant shades, Ultramid T6000 enhances aesthetic flexibility while maintaining high performance standards. "As safety becomes increasingly vital in the design and material selection for metal components in EVs, such as wiring terminals and busbars, BASF is committed to dev...

Today's KNOWLEDGE Share EPA Begins Process to Prioritize Five Chemicals for Risk Evaluation Under Toxic Substances Control Act  Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced that it is beginning the process to prioritize five additional toxic chemicals for risk evaluation under the nation’s premier chemical safety law. If, during the 12-month long statutory process, EPA designates these five chemicals as High Priority Substances, EPA will then begin risk evaluations for these chemicals. EPA plans to prioritize the following chemicals for risk evaluation under the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA): Acetaldehyde (CASRN 75-07-0), Acrylonitrile (CASRN 107-13-1), Benzenamine (CASRN 62-53-3), 4,4’-Methylene bis(2-chloroaniline) (MBOCA) (CASRN 101-14-4), and Vinyl Chloride (CASRN 75-01-4). “Under the Biden-Harris Administration, EPA has made significant progress implementing the 2016 amendments to strengthen our nation’s chemical safety laws after years of mismanagement and delay. Tod...

Today's KNOWLEDGE Share I recently attended a presentation where many "passes" of processing of a PP were examined to understand the issues related to "circular recycling" where the same polymer would go around the circle of manufacturing, shredding and reprocessing possibly...forever. There was no mention however of a very important and critical factor : additives consumption. With almost no exceptions (PVDF might be one), all plastics are compounded into pellets with various additives, particularly to protect the polymer from oxidation and other degradation paths during processing (high T, high shear stresses, long residence times,...). The bulk of these additives are actually "consumed" during processing (for instance to capture free radicals and terminate reactions). As a result, sending the material into an endless loop without replenishing the compound with fresh amounts of additives will always lead to quick degradation and loss of properties. D...

The prototypes of CR450 high-speed EMU (electric multiple unit) were unveiled in Beijing. With a test speed of 450 km/h and a commercial operating speed of 400 km/h, the CR450 will become the fastest high-speed train in the world once it enters service. The CR450AF and CR450BF models, produced by CRRC Sifang and CRRC Changchun respectively, boast five key improvements: increased speed, advanced safety, energy efficiency, enhanced comfort, and intelligent technology. The CR450 is significantly faster than the CR400 Fuxing high-speed trains currently in service, which operate at speeds of 350 km/h. A lighter weight is crucial for high-speed trains. The CR450 has cut its weight by over 10 percent compared to the CR400, thanks to the adoption of new materials such as carbon fibre composites and magnesium alloys, as well as the topology optimisation technique. The CR450’s development represents China’s venture into new and unexplored aspects of the high-speed train industry. CRRC says the R...

Today's KNOWLEDGE Share LSU researchers have created a new, low-cost way to break down plastic, a potential breakthrough that could save billions of dollars and eliminate billions of tons of plastic pollution. Getting plastics to the recycling plant is only half the battle. The other half is reusing that plastic waste to create new products,” said James Dorman, program manger with the U.S. Department of Energy and former LSU Chemical Engineering professor. “Some estimates show as much as 95 percent of plastics in the U.S. ends up in landfills and incinerators. Our process breaks down commercial plastics, including polystyrene and high- and low-density polyethylene, so recycled material can be seamlessly integrated into new products. Dorman and LSU Chemical Engineering Professor Kerry Dooley use electromagnetic induction heating along with special magnetic materials and catalysts to break down different types of plastic. Electromagnetic waves melt the plastics from the inside out, w...

Today's KNOWLEDGE Share With a production cost at just 10% of lithium-ion batteries, Flint’s innovation aims for global scalability. Flint, a Singapore-based company specializing in the development of sustainable energy solutions, is making waves in the world of battery technology with its cutting-edge paper batteries. These batteries promise to deliver impressive advantages over traditional energy storage options, thanks to their flexibility, lightweight design, safety, and eco-friendly features.  At CES 2025, Flint introduced this pioneering technology, which has the potential to change the way we store and use energy. What makes paper batteries unique? Flint’s paper batteries are a type of quasi-solid battery, utilizing an innovative hydrogel ring that acts as both a separator and an electrolyte within a piece of paper. This setup differentiates it from conventional lithium-ion batteries by replacing toxic and geopolitically sensitive materials like lithium, cobalt, and nic...