polymerguru

Researchers from EPFL's Laboratory for Processing of Advanced Composites have developed a material that can easily heal after being damaged. This cutting-edge composite could be used in aircraft, wind turbines, cars and sports equipment.  When a wind turbine blade or an airplane is hit by something, the damaged part has to be either replaced or patched with resin. Replacing the part is expensive, while repairing it with resin can make it heavier and change its properties. But now, with this new, patented technology, researchers at EPFL have found a way to quickly and easily  repair cracks in composite structures . Heat-based Self-healing System "With our technology, a repair agent is incorporated in the composite material," says Amaël Cohades, a researcher at EPFL School of Engineering's Laboratory for Processing of Advanced Composites (LPAC).  Cracks in the resin can be repaired on site in little time by simply heating the material to 150°C. The heating pr

Seeking solutions that contribute to the circular economy and to sustainable development, Braskem announces new partnerships for the development of chemical recycling. It will be focused on transforming post-consumer plastics, such as grocery bags and packaging films for snacks and cookies, once again into chemical products that can be used by various different value chains and will benefit the general public. Braskem has applied its knowledge and commitment once again to move the industry towards the circular economy. Research into Technologies Transforming Plastics The partnerships seek to further research into technologies that can transform plastics that are more difficult to be recycled mechanically into new chemical products. The research is being conducted in partnership with: Polymer Engineering Laboratory (EngePol) at the Alberto Luiz Coimbra Institute of Graduate Studies Research in Engineering of the Federal University of Rio de Janeiro (COPPE/UFR

Polyester sport and functional textiles treated with Sanitized® Odoractiv 10 are protected against “permastink”. Already a holder of the Swiss Technology Award, the Sanitized® Odoractiv 10 odor-management technology can now carry the bluesign® sustainability label, the Skin Friendly certification from the Hohenstein Institute and the ECO PASSPORT by OEKO-TEX® label. SANITIZED AG has been a bluesign® system partner for over 10 years. Odor-free Polyester Functional Clothing   An unwelcome odor can quickly develop in polyester sport and functional clothing, even if freshly washed. This is “permastink”. It’s a challenge to the textile industry as it generally reduces the attractiveness and market opportunities of sport and functional clothing made from polyester. The patented, non-biocidal Sanitized® Odoractiv 10 technology provides specific solutions and sales arguments for the end products. It works in two ways: The odor-causing bacteria can’t stick to the textile

Nestlé and Danimer Scientific has announced a global partnership to develop biodegradable bottles. Nestlé and Danimer Scientific will collaborate to design and manufacture bio-based resins for Nestlé’s water business using Danimer Scientific’s PHA polymer Nodax™ . In 2018, the University of Georgia (U.S.A.) confirmed in a study that Nodax™ is an effective biodegradable alternative to petrochemical plastics. PepsiCo, an existing partner of Danimer, may also gain access to the resins developed under this collaboration. Nodax™ PHA-based Eco-friendly Packaging Stephen Croskrey, CEO of Danimer Scientific said: "Researchers have shown that PHA biodegrades in a wide range of environments, including industrial and home compost, soil, fresh and sea water," "As a material that is reliably biodegradable across both aerobic and anaerobic conditions, our Nodax™ PHA is an ideal fit to drive the creation of eco-friendly packaging for Nestlé’s products. Nodax™ PH

Gevo has announced that it has developed a proprietary, breakthrough catalytic process that transforms low-cost commercially available, or even waste by-product, renewable alcohols into renewable isoprene that would be expected to compete head-to-head on price with natural and petroleum-based chemical equivalents while reducing CO 2 emissions. Key Chemical Building Block for Producing Rubber Isoprene is predominantly used in the production of synthetic-based rubber. The market for isoprene is estimated to be approximately $4 Billion USD by 2025, growing at a compound annual growth rate of 7% or greater driven by growth in the automotive sector. Chemical-based Catalytic Process Gevo recently developed a chemical-based catalytic process to convert low-value “fusel oils,” a mixture of alcohols that are byproducts from fermentation processes such as ethanol production, into renewable isoprene. Fusel oils from the ethanol industry alone equate to about 2.5 mil

Children living in homes with all vinyl flooring or flame-retardant chemicals in the sofa have significantly higher concentrations of potentially harmful semi-volatile organic compounds (SVOCs) in their blood or urine than children from homes where these materials are not present, according to a new Duke University-led study. Higher Concentration of PBDEs in Children’s Blood Serum The researchers presented their findings Sunday, Feb. 17 at the annual meeting of the American Association for the Advancement of Science in Washington, D.C. They found that children living in homes where the sofa in the main living area contained flame-retardant polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) in its foam had a six-fold higher concentration of PBDEs in their blood serum. Exposure to PBDEs has been linked in laboratory tests to neurodevelopmental delays, obesity, endocrine and thyroid disruption, cancer and other diseases. Vinyl Flooring Leads to Metabolite Concentrations

Recently, polymer chemists from the University of Groningen, led by Prof. Katja Loos, have described an enzyme-based polymerization method to produce PEF, an alternative to PET, which can be made from bio-based furan molecules. Polyethylene terephthalate (PET) is one of the most successful plastics the material we use to make bottles and fibers for clothing. PET is used to make fizzy drink bottles because it has excellent barrier properties, which keeps the fizz inside. However, PET is made from petroleum-based building blocks. "But furan-based polymers are a good alternative", says Prof. Katja Loos. Furans, which are characterized by an aromatic ring with four carbon and one oxygen atom, can be made from biomass-derived sugars, and polymerized into Polyethylene 2,5-furandicarboxylate (PEF) . This alternative to PET, polyethylene furanoate (PEF), can be made from bio-based furan molecules, but to polymerize these furans you need toxic catalysts and high tem