polymerguru

Today's KNOWLEDGE Share Cast Nylon 6 Explained: Inside Nylatron®’s Strength and Versatility: Cast nylon 6 has been a game-changer since its commercialization in the 1960s. In addition to offering a strong, versatile alternative to traditional metals, the castability of this second-generation nylon unlocked a new industry for large parts that Mitsubishi Chemical Group (MCG) still serves today with its Nylatron™ cast nylon 6 range of high-performance materials. From gears and bearings to rollers and wear pads, cast nylon has become an engineering staple prized for its strength, machinability, and versatility. Among these materials, Nylatron® Cast Nylon 6 stands out for its ability to replace metal components in demanding applications while offering lighter weight, quieter performance, and longer service life. Fast Facts – What You Need to Know: Cast nylon is created through a controlled chemical reaction, producing large, custom shapes with fewer internal stresses than extr...

The monoblock composite megatank built by UPR, one of the largest ever manufactured in Brazil, is 22 metres long, has a diameter of 5 metres and a height equivalent to a seven-story building. Built for a food industry company located in the countryside of São Paulo, it is capable of storing 400,000 litres of drinking water. The megatank required 2 months of work as well as structural adjustments to the factory layout to make production possible. UPR’s engineering team said that the most significant challenge was adapting the production process without interrupting other ongoing projects. To achieve this, stages such as alignment and structural reinforcement of the megatank were divided into phases. This ensured operational safety and dimensional accuracy. In total, 12 tonnes of raw materials were used. Besides, the megatank needed additional hot-air post-curing to be adapted to food storage. It also included...

#LyondellBasell has installed a new 9-layer Colines ALLRollEX cast film line at its Cincinnati Technology Center, expanding its capabilities in high-performance stretch film and complex packaging structures. The line is designed for flexibility, featuring interchangeable extruder screws, dual-sided corona treatment, and the ability to produce oxygen-barrier films such as ethylene vinyl alcohol. It can operate across a wide thickness range, from 102 to 10 microns, and supports downstream applications including lamination and printing. “By enhancing our capabilities, we are better positioned to deliver tailored solutions to our customers,” said Mick Hundley, site director at the Cincinnati Technology Center. Colines Executive President Eraldo Peccetti called the installation an important step forward for both companies’ R&D efforts, enabling exploration of new structures and faster time-to-market for advanced packaging applications. source : Plastics News / LyondellBasell

Today's KNOWLEDGE Share The next 24–30 months in automotive. ° Flat volumes; Global auto production is forecast to be almost flat to 2027, with annual growth hovering around 0% in many markets.. so profit will come from mix, software and services, not just selling more metal. ° Hybrids are the quiet winners: As pure EV momentum cools, hybrids and plug‑in hybrids are expected to gain double‑digit global market share by 2030, taking a much bigger slice than earlier forecasts suggested. ° EV adoption is now “region‑first”, not “global‑first”: Europe’s EV share could reach roughly a quarter of new sales over 2025–2027, while Australia is seeing ICE at record‑low share, with EVs near 10% and hybrids above 15% of new car sales already. ° Software-defined vehicles are exploding: The SDV market is projected to grow from around USD 200+ billion mid‑decade toward USD 1.2 trillion by 2030, compounding at well over 20% annually. ° Suppliers are being squeezed: Global supplier studies show stag...

Amcor, a global leader in developing and producing responsible packaging solutions, has produced a skincare stick applicator for sports brand Decathlon, using recycled plastic sourced from Amcor’s proprietary CleanStream® technology. The choice of Amcor’s 25 ml stick reflects Decathlon’s commitment to reducing its carbon footprint. With 87% rPP, each applicator offers a 17% lower CO2 impact versus virgin resin. As the stick applicators are mono-material, they are also recycle-ready and can be recycled where the appropriate infrastructure is in place. Our customers want a quality product that they can easily use on the move, so the stick format is ideal. We challenged ourselves to also provide a more sustainable option that would still deliver the high performance,” says Laurent Dujardin, product & pack engineer, Health & Sports Accessories at Decathlon. As a brand, Decathlon is committed to reducing absolute Scope 1, 2 and Scope 3 GHG emissions by 42% by 2030, compared to the 2...

Biochem, an innovative animal nutrition company specializing in feed additives and dietary supplements, and BASF have entered into a binding agreement on Biochem’s acquisition of BASF's global glycinate business. This strategic acquisition reinforces Biochem's role as a pioneer in high-performance organic trace minerals (OTMs) since 1992 and broadens its global market presence. By acquiring this business, Biochem gains enhanced market access and a well-established network of distribution partners from BASF, guaranteeing a seamless transition for all customers worldwide. Following BASF’s recent announcement to explore strategic options for its feed enzyme business, for BASF, this divestiture represents another step in refining the portfolio toward core ingredients for human and animal nutrition. While the review of strategic options for the feed enzyme business is still underway, the company remains fully committed to supporting customers and advancing the business driving growt...

Today's KNOWLEDGE Share We’ve been busy behind the scenes… testing #graphene where it really matters: inside everyday materials. Over the last quarter, our team has been working with customers in construction and elastomers to trial our synthetic graphene powder in two high-impact composites: Concrete By adding tiny % levels of graphene (70grams per tonne of concrete), we’re seeing: - Higher compressive strength - Lower cement demand per m³ - Lower cement = lower CO₂ footprint per project. Tyres & Rubber Graphene isn’t just filler, it modifies how rubber chains slide and recover. Benefits our customers are exploring: - Lower rolling resistance = energy savings - Better wear resistance and tear strength = longer life - Improved wet grip via enhanced viscoelastic behaviour Minor additions of graphene (<0.1–1.0%) can change how materials behave, enabling stronger, lighter, more durable products. If your company is evaluating sustainability initiatives, meeting performance t...