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Today's KNOWLEDGE Share ECHA launches revamped Classification and Labelling Inventory The C&L Inventory includes information on more than 4 400 EU-level harmonised classifications and seven million classifications notified or included in REACH registrations. Altogether, the inventory includes data on around 350 000 substances. The integration of classification and labelling information into ECHA CHEM follows the initial launch of the database in January 2024, which featured information on over 100 000 REACH registrations submitted by companies. The new inventory is designed to help users easily locate the classification with the highest agreement and to bring clarity on the source behind the classification information. It incorporates recent regulatory developments, such as the new CLP hazard classes and is built with stability and growth in mind.  In this first version, the classification information is accessible in a visual format per substance with complementary approaches,...

Today's KNOWLEDGE Share How could that be, since the packing pressure is not going to really change fiber orientation ? The mechanism is a bit more subtle. GF induced warpage is linked to the mismatch of "shrinkage" of the glass fiber vs. the shrinkage of the matrix. Such mismatch creates a much bigger shrinkage perpendicular to the fibers because in the parallel direction, the fibers can better "resist" the pull from the matrix. So why would a higher packing pressure reduce warpage ? Think about it. If you could increase the packing to the point where the matrix would hit nearly zero volumetric shrinkage (check the PvT curves, it is possible although usually unreasonable) then the matrix would not want to shrink anymore, and the conflict with the glass fibers (which also don't want to shrink much) is gone ! So...no warpage ! So, remember, the more you pack a GF filled part, the less it will warp (at least from the anisotropy effect, differential shrinkage i...

Syensqo announces the signing of new multi-year contracts for the supply of its battery-grade Solef® Polyvinylidene Fluoride (PVDF) with automotive original equipment manufacturers and battery makers. Signed in the first quarter of 2025 and totaling more than €150 million in cumulative net sales, the long-term contracts highlight Syensqo's commitment to innovation, customer collaboration and profitable growth in the fast evolving battery market. Durable and safe batteries for electric and hybrid vehicles: Solef® PVDF, a thermoplastic fluoropolymer, plays a crucial role in lithium-ion batteries by providing superior separator-electrode adhesion and binder performance. It delivers durable, high performance, and safe batteries for electric and hybrid vehicles.  In addition to Solef® PVDF, Syensqo’s value proposition in the automotive industry extends to its portfolio of material solutions which address customers’ needs for lightweighting, higher performance and more ene...

Evonik is making further strides in its sustainability journey with the conversion of its remaining PU-additive production assets across the globe to green electricity. The entire Comfort & Insulation business line’s global polyurethane (PU) production footprint now runs on green electricity. Evonik’s transition to green electricity for both its amine and silicone platforms, as well as its smaller PU-additive production sites ranging from Hopewell, USA to Isehara, Japan, underscores the company’s commitment to sustainable production practices and emission reduction. As part of its sustainability strategy, Evonik is committed to achieving a 25% reduction in scope 1 and 2 emissions by 2030, and the company also aims to be climate-neutral by 2050. By enhancing production efficiency and capabilities while prioritizing sustainability, #Evonik reinforces its position as a reliable long-term partner to the #polyurethane industry, effectively addressing evolving customer demand in market...

Today's KNOWLEDGE Share Boron Fiber-infused material targeted for advanced commercial and military applications Hexcel Corporation and Specialty Materials announced today a significant advancement in the development by Specialty Materials of a new high modulus carbon fiber technology using Hexcel materials. Specialty Materials’ Hy-Bor® technology pairs Hexcel’s high modulus carbon fiber with boron fiber, significantly enhancing compression strength, and offering a new class of materials for airframe manufacturers and other defense applications.  This new material offers substantial weight savings and design flexibility, opening up a range of applications for commercial aviation, as well as for space and defense applications, including aircraft, satellites, and missile systems. The technology mitigates the traditional drop in compression strength associated with high modulus fibers, providing enhanced capabilities that our Department of Defense customers are demanding for next gener...

Polyvel’s new Premium Softener is a specially formulated #masterbatch developed to reduce the coefficient of friction and increase fiber flexibility to provide the ultimate in softness. In addition to the enhanced softness provided by this product, Polyvel has increased the overall heat stability over previous generations of softening technology, enabling a wider processing window and reduced formation of volatiles deposits during processing. Polyvel’s line of softness-enhancing additive masterbatch is designed to transform nonwovens, delivering a softer touch without compromising strength or processability. Whether you need a gentle upgrade or a luxuriously soft feel, Polyvel's tiered solutions ensure the perfect balance of comfort, durability, and performance. From baby care to feminine hygiene to medical applications and more. #Polyvel -helping brands elevate user experience with a new standard of softness. source: Polyvel

Today's KNOWLEDGE Share Process considerations affecting plastic biodegradation The plastic biodegradation process is governed by several considerations which may affect the overall biodegradation performance of microorganisms and should not be overlooked when conducting biodegradation studies on plastics. One of them includes the purity of plastic samples used in plastic biodegradation studies. The presence of impurities in the polymer chain may act as alternative carbon sources for the microorganisms and prevent the utilization of the polymer backbone chain as the main carbon source for microorganisms . Therefore, it is recommended to conduct multiple quantification techniques (e.g., evaluating the formation of functional groups, changes in surface morphology, release of degradation products, and changes in plastic properties) to confirm the true plastic-degrading ability of microorganisms. Although the adoption of pure plastic samples (without the presence of impurities) in biod...