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The Yokohama Rubber Co., Ltd., has announced that the results of joint research projects conducted since 2013 with two universities in Thailand, a major producer of natural rubber, were recently presented at The International Polymer Conference of Thailand 2018 (PCT-8).  The joint research projects were conducted with researchers at Mahidol University and Prince of Songkla University. The research with Mahidol University succeeded in analyzing proteins contained in sap (latex), the base raw material for natural rubber, and identifying the proteins deeply involved in natural rubber biosynthesis. The research deepens the understanding of the biosynthesis of natural rubber, making it possible to accelerate research related to quality and production. Evaluating Physical and Chemical Properties of Rubber The research conducted at Mahidol University entailed the extraction and nano-level analysis of proteins from fresh latex and seedlings from Para rubber trees. The anal

Indorama Ventures Public Company Limited, one of the world’s leading petrochemical companies, and Loop Industries, Inc., a leading technology innovator in sustainable plastic resin and polyester has launched a 50/50 joint venture company to manufacture and commercialize sustainable polyester resin to meet the growing global demand from beverage and consumer packaged goods companies. The world-class manufacturing footprint of Indorama and proprietary science and technology of Loop will form a world leader in the ‘circular’ economy for 100% sustainable and recycled PET resin and polyester fiber. The JV will use an exclusive worldwide license for Loop’s technology to produce 100% sustainably produced PET resin and polyester fiber. Aloke Lohia, Group CEO of Indorama Ventures, said, “At Indorama Ventures, we continue to pursue the right opportunities to fill gaps that are intrinsic to our sustainable and profitable business by deploying resources in order to support the ci

Graphene nanotubes have demonstrated their ability to impart permanent and homogeneous anti-static properties to polyurethane (PU) materials, overcoming previous difficulties with nanotube dispersion in PU systems. The recently developed nanotube-based concentrate  TUBALL MATRIX 202  has already built up a solid track record in applications such as industrial rollers and castors, PU shoes, printing rollers and cleaning pigs.  TUBALL MATRIX 202 - Concentrate of High-quality TUBALL™ SW CNTs OCSiAl’s  TUBALL graphene nanotubes are rapidly gaining ground in customer-oriented applications with high-performance requirements. One remarkable example is PU discs in cleaning pigs for industrial pipelines. To avoid explosions and fires while also preventing static noise and improving diagnostic accuracy, manufacturers of cleaning pigs are replacing ammonium salts as an anti-static agent with TUBALL MATRIX 202. In addition to a permanent and stable resistivity level of 10^7–10^5 Ω·cm, the

TUBALL graphene nanotubes, also known as single wall carbon nanotubes, are extremely thin single-layer rolled-up sheets of graphene more than 5 µm in length and with a diameter of 1.6 nm. They have a number of exceptional characteristics, such as superior electrical conductivity and strength, high temperature resistance and flexibility, and they translate these properties by enhancing the characteristics of polymers at very low working dosages. With its unique facility for industrial-scale production of low-cost graphene nanotubes, OCSiAl has transformed these nanotubes from being an interesting laboratory material into a highly competitive industrial technology. Together with its partners, the company has achieved a number of exciting results in applying graphene nanotubes in key thermoplastic compounds, such as polyethylene, ABS plastics, PVC plastisols, polyamide and polycarbonate. Among the products containing TUBALL nanotubes that have already been successfully

After a decade of dragging its feet, the South Korean government has come up with a set of measures to nurture an ecosystem for hydrogen vehicles, seeking a transition from fossil fuels to zero emission energy.For more than a decade, the state drive for a hydrogen economy has been sidelined, due to policy inconsistencies through different administrations and a global preference for batteries over fuel cells. Amid problems of energy intermittency being addressed over renewables, however, interest in the potential role of hydrogen in South Korea’s de-carbonization has grown.  In June, the Ministry of Industry, Trade and Energy announced a 2.6 trillion won plan to supply 16,000 hydrogen-powered vehicles and build 310 hydrogen refilling stations across the country. Under the five-year plan, businesses are expected to get state support for the development of fuel cell stacks and fuel cell storage containers, as well as tax breaks for hydrogen vehicle drivers.  The ann

MIT researchers have designed a polymer material that can change its structure in response to light, converting from a rigid substance to a softer one that can heal itself when damaged. Ability to Heal After Being Damaged: The material consists of polymers attached to a light-sensitive molecule that can be used to alter the bonds formed within the material. Such materials could be used to coat objects such as cars or satellites, giving them the ability to heal after being damaged, though such applications are still far in the future, Johnson says. “You can switch the material states back and forth, and in each of those states, the material acts as though it were a completely different material, even though it’s made of all the same components,”  says Jeremiah Johnson, an associate professor of chemistry at MIT, a member of MIT’s Koch Institute for Integrative Cancer Research and the Program in Polymers and Soft Matter, and the leader of the research team. The lead author of the

The demand of the automotive industry for highly effective sensors for the expansion of electric mobility and autonomous driving is increasing. So BASF has further developed its range of hydrolysis-resistant thermoplastic polyesters. Expanded Range of Ultradur® HR The expanded range of Ultradur® HR (HR= hydrolysis resistant) comprises Ultradur® B4330 G6 HR High Speed, a particularly flowable and laser markable grade with 30% glass-fiber reinforcement, Ultradur® B4330 G10 HR, a highly reinforced grade with 50% glass fibers as well as Ultradur® B4331 G6 HR, the next generation with optimized processing characteristics. Ultradur® B4331 G6 HR is available from now on as uncolored grade, in a black laser markable version, and in orange for components in electric cars. Highly Resistant PBT Materials With its Ultradur® HR grades, BASF offers highly resistant PBT materials (PBT= polybutylene terephthalate) which are especially suitable for use in challenging env