polymerguru

Today's KNOWLEDGE Share Research Update: PFAS found in several reusable period products Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), or #foreverchemicals , are being identified in more places. Period products are on that list, likely because of the resistance to stains and liquids conferred by these chemicals. Building on previously presented research, a team publishing in #ACS’  Environmental Science & Technology Letters found that some reusable products, namely period underwear and reusable pads, contained #PFAS , which might be absorbed into the body through skin contact. “We feel that this work is important not only because of the discovery of PFAS in an understudied segment of consumer products experiencing rapid growth, but also because it appears the use of PFAS is entirely unnecessary,” explains Graham Peaslee, the corresponding author of the study. Previously, Peaslee, Alyssa Wicks, and colleagues screened several period products for the presence of #fluorinat...

Agilyx ASA announces a third-party reviewed Product Carbon Footprint report of Styrenyx, Agilyx’s proprietary recycling technology, shows CO2 emissions can be cut by up to 86% by using depolymerization of waste polystyrene compared to fossil production. To better assess the carbon footprint of Styrenyx, our advanced recycling, post-consumer waste circular styrene production, #Agilyx commissioned Sphera Solutions, Inc. to perform a cradle-to-gate product carbon footprint (PCF) consistent with ISO 14067:2018 standards, and compare results to conventional production of #styrene from fossil resources. As announced in March 2025, the results have now been reviewed by a third party, confirming that when #Styrenyx uses renewable energy to recycle #polystyrene (PS) to styrene, it can reduce up to 86% of carbon-equivalent emissions compared to fossil-based production. At minimum, Styrenyx can save 46% carbon-equivalent emissions when powered by a standard electrical grid. This is higher...

  China is preparing to launch the first liner-type container service between Asia and Europe via the Northern Sea Route (NSR) in September, prompting shipping analysts to weigh the logistics and costs of what remains a niche venture. For the first time, a scheduled service resembling a conventional Asia–Europe loop will traverse the Russian Arctic, linking Qingdao, Shanghai and Ningbo-Zhoushan with Felixstowe, Rotterdam, Hamburg and Gdansk. Intermodal head of research Yiannis Parganas noted that the inaugural voyage, already fully booked, promises an 18-day transit from East Asia to Northern Europe – less than half the time required via the Suez Canal. The service will be operated by China’s Haijie Shipping Co. According to Mr Parganas, the appeal is clear on paper. The NSR avoids chokepoints such as the Suez Canal and the increasingly volatile Red Sea. “For high-value, time-sensitive cargoes – from fast fashion to consumer electronics – the NSR offers faster delivery, lower inven...

Today's KNOWLEDGE Share UAE to ban single-use plastic products’ import, production, trade from 2026 The #UAE will implement a comprehensive #ban on the import, production, and trade of single-use plastic products from January 1, 2026, said Dr Amna bint Abdullah Al Dahak, Minister of Climate Change and Environment. This comes as part of the phased approach initiated in 2024 with the ban on plastic bags. “This builds upon the phased approach initiated in 2024 with the ban on plastic bags. This decisive action underscores our resolve and commitment to environmental stewardship, driving us towards a future where waste and pollution are designed out of our systems,” Dr Amna said on the occasion of World Environment Day which is marked on June 5. She called on all community members in the UAE to play their role in eliminating unnecessary plastic. “Each of us, as responsible members of our community, can play a leading role in realising our nation’s vision by joining...

Today's KNOWLEDGE Share “New Knee Without Surgery?” – The Truth Behind Germany’s Cartilage Repair Gel Recently, social media was flooded with posts claiming that German scientists had invented a brand-new miracle gel to regrow knee cartilage—without surgery—and that it would be available in Europe by 2026. Thousands of people shared it, raising hope for patients with joint pain. But here’s the truth: this isn’t new at all. What Is ChondroFiller? The treatment being discussed is called #ChondroFiller , a collagen-based gel developed in collaboration with Germany’s Fraunhofer Institute. It has been on the market since 2013. Far from being a quick injection, it requires minimally invasive keyhole surgery where the gel is applied to the damaged #cartilage . After the procedure, the joint must be immobilized for 48 hours. As of 2025, more than 20,000 patients worldwide have been treated with ChondroFiller. What Social Media Got Wrong Claimed it was “brand new” → Truth: Available si...

Today's KNOWLEDGE Share Composite materials especially carbon fiber are well known for their excellent strength‑to‑weight ratio. However, there is a way to push this ratio even further: by creating  sandwich structures . A sandwich structure consists of two strong, stiff face sheets (skins) bonded to either side of a lightweight core. The skins carry the in‑plane tensile and compressive loads, while the core maintains the spacing between them increasing the momentum of inertia and resisting shear forces. This makes the structure particularly strong due to the way it distributes loads, working in a similar way to an I‑beam. By separating the high‑strength material into outer layers, the bending stiffness increases dramatically without a proportional increase in weight. This is why sandwich structures used in sectors wind energy, automotive, & aerospace. Core Materials for Sandwich Structures The outer skins of a sandwich structure can be made from many different materials,...