Today's KNOWLEDGE Share : The 27-Bin Problem

Today's KNOWLEDGE Share

♻️ "The 27-Bin Problem" (On Medical Waste Part 3)

Take-back programs are great.

They prove that recycling medical waste is possible.

Companies like Ambu A/S, Johnson & Johnson and Boston Scientific have shown in pilot projects that single-use devices can be collected, sterilised, and recycled.

That’s a major step forward.

But here’s the catch and where my term “the 27-bin problem” comes in.

🗑️ One hospital can handle one take-back bin. Maybe even two.

But if every one of its 27 suppliers brings its own program and its own bin...

you get chaos.

⚠️ Training

⚠️ logistics

⚠️ storage space

make it impossible.

On top we have:

⚠️ Regulatory barriers: you can’t easily move medical waste across borders.

⚠️ Volume: recyclers need consistent, sorted feedstock to make it economical.

That’s why the current system isn’t scalable.

It’s not a technical issue, it’s a coordination issue.

To move forward, we need:

✅ Industry-wide or at least national collection systems

✅ Shared logistics and sterilisation infrastructure

✅ A common framework for what “recyclable medical waste” even means

It’s a multi-stakeholder mess: hospitals, manufacturers, recyclers, transporters and everyone has different incentives.

But if we align, the benefits are massive:

🌱 Reduced hospital waste and disposal costs

🔄 Higher resource independence for Europe

💶 And a clear customer benefit for MedTech companies that take responsibility seriously.

That does not mean that we cannot do anything on our own though, this is where Part 4 comes in.

👉 Do you know of any initiatives working on national-scale medical recycling?

Let’s connect, because this problem can’t be solved in silos.

source : Lucas R. Pianegonda

Nobel Hygiene Introduces Diaper Containing Biodegradable Nonwovens

Nobel Hygiene, one of India’s leading manufacturers of hygiene products, has developed the world’s first diaper containing biodegradable nonwovens technology. Developed with sustainable nonwovens producer Avgol, an Indorama Ventures company, and launched under the Teddy Bio-Earth brand, the diaper will be available to consumers in Dubai beginning in early March via Amazon Dubai’s E-Commerce platform. Nobel is launching the product this week at the Dubai World Health Expo.

Using cutting-edge Biotransformation technology from Polymateria pioneered at Imperial College London in the U.K. under its Lyfecycle brand, the nonwoven components of the diaper will safely return to nature within two years if the diaper is exposed to an open environment after use. The Teddyy Bio-Earth diaper also contains an absorbent core made from the naturally biodegradable material cellulose, meaning that 75% of the diaper’s components by weight are fully biodegradable. This marks a step-change in diaper sustainability, creating arguably the world’s most biodegradable diaper.

“Governments worldwide are increasingly concerned about the long-term impact of sanitary waste on disposal systems and the environment,” says Kamal Johari, managing director, Nobel Hygiene. “Responding to this challenge, Nobel Hygiene is proud to launch Teddy Bio-Earth, the world’s first baby diaper where 75% of its weight biodegrades within two years. Powered by Lyfecycle’s proprietary technology, which enables natural microbes to safely break down the product without harming soil quality, this represents the most significant milestone in our 25-year journey of innovation. We continue to work with global partners on the remaining 25%, reinforcing our long-term commitment to environmental responsibility.

The biodegradable non-woven material in the Teddyy Bio-Earth diaper is the latest product of the ongoing partnership between Avgol and Polymateria. “We are delighted to have achieved this important milestone with the first commercial application of our biodegradable nonwoven material in the Teddyy Bio Earth diaper made by Nobel Hygiene,” says Sivan Yedidsion, CEO of Avgol Industries. “This launch marks an exciting next step in our three-way partnership with Nobel and Polymateria.

 “I’m immensely proud of the collaborative effort between Nobel Hygiene, Indorama Ventures, Polymateria and Amazon Dubai to bring this revolutionary diaper to market. Polymateria was founded to tackle plastic pollution at scale and partnerships like this with major players across the value chain demonstrate our mission coming to life,” says Polymateria CEO Richard Horne.

source : Nonwoven Industry

Sustainable Polyurethane Production Without Toxic Isocyanate

Polyurethanes (PUR) are found in many products, such as upholstered furniture, foam or insulation materials, flooring, paints and even medical catheter tubes. The production of these high-demand plastics, however, relies on toxic isocyanate. Fraunhofer researchers have now developed an alternative production process using harmless dicarbamate.

Chemical compounds like isocyanate are toxic and trigger allergies or asthma. However, they remain indispensable for the chemical industry. They are needed especially in the production of PUR. These plastics are highly versatile and are therefore used in many products. Although the end product no longer contains isocyanates, special safety precautions are necessary during manufacturing to keep them away from humans and to avoid health hazards.

For the first time, Fraunhofer researchers have now succeeded in producing polyurethanes without using isocyanates in the CO2NIPU (nonisocyanate polyurethane, NIPU) project.

Dicarbamate as a substitute for isocyanate

To achieve this, project manager Christoph Herfurth from the Fraunhofer Institute for Applied Polymer Research IAP and his team replaced isocyanate with harmless dicarbamate. The innovative process makes the production of plastics easier and safer. Employees no longer have to undergo special training to protect themselves from the toxic substance. A further benefit: The process results in lower greenhouse gas emissions. This is because the researchers are using carbon dioxide to produce dicarbamate. They are also developing recycling methods for used PUR materials.

In addition to Fraunhofer IAP, participants in the CO2NIPU project were the Fraunhofer Institute for Chemical Technologies ICT, the Fraunhofer Institute for Manufacturing Technology and Advanced Materials IFAM and the Fraunhofer Institute for Environmental, Safety and Energy Technology UMSICHT. Herfurth points out the advantages of this innovative project: “The molecular structures of polyurethanes made from dicarbamates are identical to those of conventional PU made from isocyanates. This means that existing expertise can be built upon to achieve the material properties required for the end product or application.

Modular system for material properties

The researchers have further developed the process with a view to industrial feasibility. Different chemicals are mixed in specific proportions to produce the desired properties. So-called chain extenders help to cross-link the molecular groups and ensure elastic or adhesive properties. Polymer diols serve to soften the plastic, while the dicarbamate, as a substitute for isocyanate, initiates the chemical process. After mixing, these chemicals are melted and stirred at temperatures between 180 and 190 degrees Celsius. After cooling, the experts test for characteristics such as tensile strength and elasticity.

Isocyanates are highly reactive, which is why polyurethanes often form within only a few minutes. Although using less reactive dicarbamates extends the same process out to six to eight hours, this makes it much easier to control and regulate. This reduces scrap and quality fluctuations in production.

Circular economy for the plastics industry

Dicarbamates are produced using a high-pressure process at project partner Fraunhofer UMSICHT. Methanol and CO2 are reacted with diamines at a pressure of 50 bar to synthesize dicarbamates. Fraunhofer ICT develops recycling processes for used polyurethanes, such as from old foam materials, which are then reprocessed to produce new PUR products. “We are thus contributing to the goal of a sustainable circular economy without greenhouse gas emissions,” Herfurth summarizes.

As an initial application, Fraunhofer researchers have set their sights on manufacturing biocompatible catheter tubes for medical applications. Fraunhofer IFAM uses the variable modular system to develop adhesives that enable bonding of cannulas to the tube.

The technology for producing isocyanate-free polyurethanes is now also working outside the laboratory. “We are now able to produce several kilograms of NIPU in our pilot plant. In the next step, it will be possible to produce several hundred kilograms of NIPU at the Fraunhofer Pilot Plant Center for Polymer Synthesis and Processing PAZ in Schkopau,” says Herfurth.

source : Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft

Today's KNOWLEDGE Share: Sometimes the best investment is the machine you didn’t buy

Today's KNOWLEDGE Share

Sometimes the best investment is the machine you didn’t buy.

It’s easy to measure ROI on machines that go into production. But what’s harder to see and just as important is the value of walking away from the wrong investment.

I’ve had plenty of discussions where we reviewed the application and decided not to move forward with a machine quote. Why? Because the tool wasn’t ready. The process wasn’t defined. Or the customer realized they were solving the wrong problem.

Sometimes the smarter move is to retool an existing press, modify an injection unit, or adjust the part design. Not because it’s the easy way, but because it avoids forcing a major equipment purchase that doesn’t solve the real issue.

Machine decisions aren’t just about hardware. They’re about what stage the project is in, what flexibility is needed down the road, and whether the capital investment is really aligned with the business case.

If you’re in a position where you're not sure whether to buy, retrofit, or wait, I can help walk through the logic. No pressure. Just clarity on what makes sense and what doesn’t, based on where your project stands today.

source : Roman Malisek

Hydrogen Storage: China’s First Type IV Composite MEGC Debuts in Hebei

Earlier this year, we saw a joint venture led by CIMC-Hexagon Hydrogen Energy Development (Hebei) Co., Ltd. unveil China’s first homegrown 20-foot Type IV Composite Cylinder Multi-Element Gas Container at their sprawling Shijiazhuang plant in Hebei. It’s a big deal—switching from niche imports to domestic mass production of hydrogen storage gear. With national goals locked on carbon peak and neutrality, bolstering our hydrogen infrastructure isn’t just smart, it’s essential.

What’s New? Picture a 20-foot frame loaded with multiple carbon-fiber–wrapped cylinders, each rated for 38 MPa. In a standard 40-foot equivalent unit, you’re looking at over one metric ton of hydrogen—about four times what those old Type I tube trailers could carry. Until now, Chinese operators had to wait months (and shell out big bucks) for imported MEGCs. Localizing production slashes lead times and costs, clearing the way for wide-scale rollout.

Key Specifications

Operating Pressure: 38 MPa with fully composite Type IV cylinders.

Capacity: More than 1 metric ton of hydrogen per 40-foot equivalent container.

Weight Savings: Roughly 40% lighter than Type III designs—hello, better volumetric efficiency.

Payload Advantage: Up to 4× the hydrogen per trip versus Type I tube trailers.

Modularity: Options from 10 to 45 feet, compliant with ADR 6.8 and TPED (2010/35/EU).

Production Scale: Hebei facility is Asia’s largest site for Type IV composite cylinder manufacturing, primed for rapid ramp-up.

Why It Matters Strategically

Cutting procurement time from months to weeks and slashing logistics costs is a game-changer if you’re rolling out regional refueling networks or feeding hydrogen into industrial parks. As sustainable energy gains traction, affordable hydrogen storage and transport become linchpins for decarbonizing steel, chemicals, and heavy haul.

Fewer trips, lighter containers, and higher capacity directly translate to lower emissions compared to diesel haulage—and a stronger business case for hydrogen fuel cells in trucks, ships, and stationary power. In short: better total cost of ownership for big hydrogen users.

Technology Evolution

Hydrogen transport has come a long way. The early Type I steel tubes were heavy and prone to fatigue. Type II and III added a composite wrap around steel or aluminum liners—an improvement, but still heftier than you’d like. Now the fully plastic and carbon-fiber–lined Type IV composite cylinder nails the best strength-to-weight ratio, zero corrosion worries, and a stellar cycle life. That leap is crucial for moving bulk hydrogen cost-effectively.

Joint Venture Dynamics

Hexagon Purus brings six decades of composite storage expertise and validation from over 700 MEGC deployments worldwide. CIMC ENRIC offers end-to-end industrial chain integration in hydrogen equipment and decades of manufacturing scale. Together, they’ve sketched a blueprint for rapid localization—one we’ll likely see replicated in electrolyzer and fuel cell ventures across Asia.

Comparative Context

Sure, pilots in Japan and Europe are testing Type IV trailers and containers. But China’s sheer manufacturing heft, local certification know-how, and cost advantages give it the upper hand. Chinese-made MEGCs can undercut imports on both price and delivery time, positioning domestic suppliers for home-market sales and exports to Southeast Asia.

Industry Implications

With hardware bottlenecks easing, the commercial rollout of hydrogen networks can really take off. Logistics firms tell us imported containers took up to six months to arrive—local production could shrink that to a few weeks. Regulators have flagged hydrogen transport as strategic, and CIMC-Hexagon is already helping shape domestic safety and performance standards.

Economically, the Hebei site will create roles for composite technicians, engineers, and integration specialists. Downstream, it supports growth in refueling stations, fuel cell fleets, and industrial hydrogen users—driving the ecosystem forward.

Environmental & Policy Angle

Hydrogen logistics feature prominently in China’s clean energy roadmap. While precise incentive schemes for MEGCs are still emerging, local governments are backing hydrogen corridor pilots and low-carbon transport demos. By collaborating with regulators, CIMC-Hexagon ensures its containers align with evolving policy frameworks for robust hydrogen infrastructure.

Forward Look

We’ll be watching production ramp rates, export orders, and new high-pressure variants that could extend applications from small on-site storage to ultra-high-pressure long-haul shipments. If volumes climb as planned, expect steeper cost declines for green hydrogen production and stronger incentives for heavy industries to switch fuels.

Bottom line: China’s first domestically produced 20-foot Type IV MEGC isn’t just a container—it’s a cornerstone for a self-sufficient, cost-effective hydrogen storage network. The supply chain’s shorter, delivery’s faster, and the path to decarbonization is clearer than ever.

source : Hydrogen Fuel News

Today's KNOWLEDGE Share : PVC Compounding

 Today's KNOWLEDGE Share

🔧 PVC Compounding: The Real Rheology Challenges Nobody Talks About

Rheology in PVC is far more complex than viscosity curves on a datasheet. Unlike many polymers, PVC does not melt cleanly. Its flow behaviour depends on fusion, lubricant interactions, stabilizer efficiency and how the polymer breaks down under shear and temperature. This makes process control both critical and difficult.

Two compounds with identical formulations can behave very differently in the extruder simply because of particle size distribution, porosity or plasticizer absorption rate. Small changes in shear stress or temperature profile can shift the melt from too elastic to too fragile, affecting die swell, surface finish and dimensional accuracy. The challenge grows when recyclate, fillers or impact modifiers are added, each altering the melt’s elasticity and flow resistance in its own way.

Consistent rheology is what separates a stable production line from one that struggles with pressure fluctuations, chatter marks or unpredictable melt quality. It requires collaboration between resin producers, stabilizer suppliers, compounders and machinery experts to understand how every component influences flow under real processing conditions.

In your experience, which factor affects PVC rheology the most during processing: shear profile, lubrication balance or the presence of recyclate?

source : Orbimind AB

#PVCCompounding #Rheology #Extrusion