Modern Plastics Singapore

Mondi and beck packautomaten launch FunctionalBarrier Paper solution dedicated to automated eCommerce packaging

Petra Löwer (Germany)

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May 28, 2022

Mondi and beck packautomaten launch FunctionalBarrier Paper solution dedicated to automated eCommerce packaging

Mondi has partnered with beck packautomaten to launch a strong, flexible paper-based packaging solution dedicated to the eCommerce industry.
The solution uses 95% paper and is recyclable across all European paper waste streams.
FunctionalBarrier Paper can replace unnecessary plastic packaging, enabling shipments to arrive safely in sustainable and right-sized packaging.
Mondi, a global leader in sustainable packaging and paper, has collaborated with German machine supplier beck packautomaten to create a functional paper solution that has the potential to revolutionise eCommerce by replacing plastic packaging and creating right-sized packaging for a wide range of products.

The eCommerce market has grown significantly in recent years, accounting for approximately 20% of global retail sales in 2021[1]. This means a wider variety of goods is being distributed, requiring packaging of different sizes, shapes and strengths. Mondi’s annual consumer trend research showed that online retailers are actively seeking packaging solutions that are practical, ensure optimal protection of goods shipped and are sustainable – 82% of customers prefer eCommerce packaging that is recyclable.

Mondi’s FunctionalBarrier Paper is 95% paper and features enhanced barrier properties to guarantee premium product protection against water vapour and moisture. This is essential for many products being shipped, including electronic goods. The paper is made with a higher strength, enabling it to carry heavier items without breakage. It is responsibly sourced, made of renewable materials and recyclable in existing recycling streams throughout Europe.

Beck’s automated packing machine ensures that products of different sizes are packed according to their requirements. The machine measures the packed goods and calculates the paper needed, reducing excess usage of the material and thereby minimising waste and costs. Stable sealing of Mondi’s paper on all four sides of the packaging ensures that it meets logistics requirements and protects goods in transit – as successfully proven during tests in Mondi’s ISTA certified lab in its Bupak plant.

Thomas Lunz, Industry Group Manager Functional Paper, Mondi Functional Paper & Films, says: “All types of goods are being transported around the globe on a daily basis. The need to create bespoke packaging that reduces waste, protects the wide range of products and delivers on sustainability targets is enormous. Our FunctionalBarrier Paper enables online retailers to continue reducing the use of unnecessary plastic following our approach of using paper where possible and plastic when useful.”

Alexander Deharde, Sales Director, beck packautomaten adds: “Mondi’s FunctionalBarrier Paper has excellent runnability on our automated packing lines and is a sustainable solution that replaces plastic packaging for online shipments. In a first cooperation with a European fashion retailer, we reduced plastic use significantly and will be able to save them more than 45 tonnes of plastic every year once the switch is completed.”

Mondi and beck packautomaten will present the FunctionalBarrier Paper at the LogiMAT fair from 31 May to 2 June in Stuttgart, Germany.

Clariant and Lummus awarded contract for one of the world’s largest PDH units

Petra Löwer (Germany)

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May 28, 2022

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Clariant and Lummus awarded contract for one of the world’s largest PDH units

Fujian Meide will use Clariant’s CATOFIN® catalysts and Lummus Technology’s propane dehydrogenation (PDH) technology to produce 900,000 metric tons per annum of propylene at its petrochemicals complex in Fuzhou, China
The win underscores the need for catalyst and technology innovations that allow for larger PDH units with higher returns on investment; no other PDH technology has been commercially proven at this scale to date
This will become Fujian Meide’s second PDH unit, and one of the world’s largest

Clariant and its process partner Lummus have been awarded a major contract by Fujian Meide to supply CATOFIN technology and catalysts for a new, world-scale propane dehydrogenation (PDH) unit in Fuzhou, China. Already operating one PDH unit at its Fuzhou petrochemical complex, Fujian Meide is now building one of the largest PDH units in the world and has selected the CATOFIN process and catalysts for the project’s second phase. The new unit will produce 900,000 metric tons of propylene annually and is scheduled to commence operation in 2023.

Stefan Heuser, Senior Vice President & General Manager at Clariant Catalysts, commented, “This strategic collaboration exemplifies our dedication to product innovation with ground-breaking chemistry, such as our Heat Generating Material (HGM). As a result, HGM, together with new Lummus process technology, reduces energy consumption of the CATOFIN process by one-third, making it a low-carbon route to propylene production.”

Leon de Bruyn, President and Chief Executive Officer of Lummus Technology, added, “Our close partnership with Clariant has continued to improve CATOFIN over the years to the benefit of our customers. The process has a proven track record of excellent productivity, often even beyond design capacity (up to 110% on average), giving producers a significantly higher return on investment and more profitable daily operations. This has made it a global leader for propylene production.”

Zheng Chaohui, President at Fujian Meide Petrochemical Co., stated, “With an annual capacity of 900,000 tons, our second PDH unit will be among the world’s largest. No other PDH technology is proven at such scale, and we needed outstanding performance. CATOFIN was our first choice because it is widely recognized as one of the most advanced solutions in the PDH industry. Clariant and Lummus Technology have already proven to be the right partners for us, not only with their products, but also with their technical expertise.”

The CATOFIN process combines Lummus’s advanced technology with Clariant’s tailor-made catalysts and Heat Generating Material (HGM) to convert propane to propylene with exceptional reliability. Since its commercial launch in 2017, CATOFIN has been selected for 34 new projects around the world, representing more than 24,000 kilotons of new propylene capacity annually. Over 50% of these plants are located in China.

Fujian Meide Petrochemical Co. is a fully owned subsidiary of Zhongjing Petrochemicals Group, which is headquartered in Fuzhou City, Fujian Province, China. Specialized in energy, petrochemicals, logistics and packaging, Zhongjing Petrochemicals Group is the largest producer of BOPP (biaxially oriented polypropylene) films in China, with an annual capacity of 1 million tons of BOPP and 4 million tons of polypropylene.

CATOFIN® IS A TRADEMARK OF CLARIANT REGISTERED IN MANY COUNTRIES.

TPE, a “perfect tee” material for golf equipment

Petra Löwer (Germany)

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May 28, 2022

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TPE, a “perfect tee” material for golf equipment

Golfing provides both pleasure and rewarding health benefits for people who are sedentary or do not enjoy high-intensity activities. According to studies, golf is an example of a quality exercise that can favor people of all ages by promoting endurance, improving coordination, and ensuring cardiovascular health, among other benefits.

Because control and manipulative skills are important in golf, only top-tier equipment is recommended to make the best shots! Advanced materials, such as thermoplastic elastomers (TPEs), have dependably improved the quality, design, and functionality of golf equipment such as clubs, including the putter, pitching wedge and drivers, golf ball retriever, golf club scrubber, golf divider, ball, range finder, and others.

KRAIBURG TPE, a global manufacturer of a wide range of thermoplastic elastomer products and custom solutions for a variety of industries, aces at producing high-quality TPE compounds that deliver the desired performance of sports equipment.

TPEs have high durability, flexibility, a wide range of hardness, elasticity, and are resistant to UV, temperature, and chemicals.

AD/PA series – Winning feel
The AD/PA series offers a soft-touch, dry haptics surface that is ideal for use in golf equipment handles and seals. The AD/PA series compounds ensure that golf putter or wedge grip, range finder, golf divot remover, and other similar parts are of the highest quality.

The TPE series also has good adhesion with PA6, PA12, and PA 6.6, as well as up to 50% glass fiber. It also has temperature stability up to 90°C and an optimized properties flow. It is available in both natural and black colors, allowing for a variety of color options based on customer preference. Golfing provides both pleasure and rewarding health benefits for people who are sedentary or do not enjoy high-intensity activities. According to studies, golf is an example of a quality exercise that can favor people of all ages by promoting endurance, improving coordination, and ensuring cardiovascular health, among other benefits.

Because control and manipulative skills are important in golf, only top-tier equipment is recommended to make the best shots! Advanced materials, such as thermoplastic elastomers (TPEs), have dependably improved the quality, design, and functionality of golf equipment such as clubs, including the putter, pitching wedge and drivers, golf ball retriever, golf club scrubber, golf divider, ball, range finder, and others.

KRAIBURG TPE, a global manufacturer of a wide range of thermoplastic elastomer products and custom solutions for a variety of industries, aces at producing high-quality TPE compounds that deliver the desired performance of sports equipment.

TPEs have high durability, flexibility, a wide range of hardness, elasticity, and are resistant to UV, temperature, and chemicals.

AD/PA series – Winning feel
The AD/PA series offers a soft-touch, dry haptics surface that is ideal for use in golf equipment handles and seals. The AD/PA series compounds ensure that golf putter or wedge grip, range finder, golf divot remover, and other similar parts are of the highest quality.

The TPE series also has good adhesion with PA6, PA12, and PA 6.6, as well as up to 50% glass fiber. It also has temperature stability up to 90°C and an optimized properties flow. It is available in both natural and black colors, allowing for a variety of color options based on customer preference.

Vipul Organics hires a veteran of Chemicals Industry as Head of Sales and Marketing

Petra Löwer (Germany)

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May 28, 2022

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Vipul Organics hires a veteran of Chemicals Industry as Head of Sales and Marketing

Vipul Organics Limited, the BSE listed (VIPULORG / 530627), leading Specialty Chemicals company in the pigments and dyes segment, announced that they have hired a senior Chemicals Industry hand, Mr. Milin Purohit, to head their sales and marketing. The appointment is important as Vipul Organics is looking at diversifying its products portfolio and focusing on new categories of business.

“Vipul Organics is very happy to welcome Mr. Purohit on board. He is a recognized expert in distribution and has opened up new avenues and channels in all the companies that he has been associated with. Our sales and marketing team will not just benefit from his cross functional leadership but also from his strong communication and interpersonal skills”, says Mihir V Shah, Executive Director, Vipul Organics. Mr. Purohit will be responsible for opening up new geographies and bringing in clients from new areas of focus.

Mr. Milin Purohit is an industry veteran and has over 36 years if experience. He has around 2 decades of experience in Chemicals and related businesses like epoxies, adhesives, sealants, construction chemicals and around 15 years in FMCG segment.

Mr. Purohit is an experienced leader and has proven track record of building result oriented teams and businesses in companies such as Pidilite Ltd., Atul Limited, Hunstman Advanced Material, Pioneer Adhesives, Supreme Industries, etc. In addition, he has worked with Luxor Writing Instruments, Polar International and Godrej Soaps. He has a Masters in Business Administration from NMIMS. Mr. Purohit will be designated AVP – Sales & Marketing at Vipul Organics.

About Vipul Organics Limited:

Vipul Organics Limited is a BSE Listed (VIPULORG / 530627) leading Specialty Chemicals company in the Pigments and Dyes segment. Today, it is amongst the foremost manufacturers of Pigments, Dyestuff, Lake Colours and Pigment Intermediaries / Fast Salts in the country. It has 6 manufacturing facilities spread across Maharashtra and has global footprint in over 50 countries. Vipul Organics ended the financial year 2020-21 with revenues of Rs.120 Crore, marking a robust 28% + growth over the previous financial year.

For more information, please visit: www.vipulorganics.com

Airnov to showcase its range of healthcare packaging solutions to Indian market at Innopack Pharma Confex

Petra Löwer (Germany)

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May 27, 2022

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Airnov to showcase its range of healthcare packaging solutions to Indian market at Innopack Pharma Confex

Large range of industry-leading and sustainable solutions are available to pharmaceutical packaging producers
Airnov’s laser-marked canisters, rimless packets, washers, EQius™ and vials will be exhibited at key industry event
Innopack Pharma Confex to be held in Mumbai on June 9-10, 2022
Airnov Healthcare Packaging, a global leader in controlled atmosphere packaging, will be presenting a large portfolio of solutions available to customers in India at the upcoming Innopack Pharma Confex, scheduled to take place in Mumbai on June 9-10.

Now in its 11th edition, the event is India’s largest gathering of pharmaceutical packaging stakeholders, with this year’s theme being ‘Innovation and Sustainability paving the Way Forward’.

Airnov has been at the forefront of sustainable healthcare packaging innovation for many years.

At the event, the company will be showcasing a wide range of products, many of which offering sustainability gains to packaging producers.

These include sustainable rimless packets which are welded together using uncoated Tyvek® and offer greater moisture absorbing capacity, while at the same time cutting raw materials usage by 25%. Meanwhile, Airnov’s laser-marked desiccant canisters reduce risk of contamination while eliminating the need for print and paper labels.

“Most of our product developments and innovations are geared towards sustainability activities, and we are excited to be demonstrating some of those innovations at the upcoming Innopack event in Mumbai,” comments Shrikar Trikannad, Airnov’s Head of Sales for India.

Also being showcased at Innopack are a range of desiccant washers and EQius™ Equilibrium RH Stabilizers, the latter being sorbent products which maintain a specific moisture level in pharmaceutical packaging.

Visitors to Innopack will additionally be able to explore Airnov’s latest innovation in its vial range of products in the form of HAT®-IN, designed to protect diagnostic and nutraceutical products. The vial, which is easily integrated into automated filling lines, utilizes and integrates the company’s advanced desiccant polymer (ADP) technology to provide a high moisture barrier, as well as excellent moisture adsorption.

“We are also excited to showcase our Aroma-Can® canisters,” added Nicolas Martinez, Product Manager at Airnov. “These employ aroma technology to add an aromatic sensory experience, either to mask unwanted odors or enhance a product’s natural aroma”

Our team will be on hand at Innopack and ready to answer any questions about this and all of our solutions.

Trinohex® Ultra LIB electrolyte additive now available in EU

Petra Löwer (Germany)

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May 25, 2022

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Trinohex® Ultra LIB electrolyte additive now available in EU

Ascend Performance Materials’ Trinohex® Ultra is now REACH-registered and available across the European Union.

“The demand for safe, reliable and longer-lasting batteries will only increase as we continue to shift toward e-mobility and renewable energy,” said Dave McNeece, sustainable specialties senior business manager at Ascend. “In many ways, Europe is at the forefront of adopting these technologies and we can now support lithium-ion battery innovation and production with Trinohex Ultra.”

In third-party testing, Trinohex Ultra has demonstrated superior cathode protection across cathode and electrolyte chemistries. This protection leads to a 30% reduction in harmful gas generation and longer-lasting performance, especially in extreme conditions.

“Trinohex Ultra solves many of the challenges with lithium-ion batteries,” said Mr.McNeece. “Improved safety accelerates adoption and longer-lasting performance reduces harmful waste as the industry explores effective recycling options. Also, its effectiveness across chemistries potentially reduces the reliance on constrained resources.”

Trinohex Ultra is manufactured on world-scale assets and readily available globally.

Toward customizable timber, grown in a lab

Petra Löwer (Germany)

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May 25, 2022

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Toward customizable timber, grown in a lab

Each year, the world loses about 10 million hectares of forest — an area about the size of Iceland — because of deforestation. At that rate, some scientists predict the world’s forests could disappear in 100 to 200 years.

In an effort to provide an environmentally friendly and low-waste alternative, researchers at MIT have pioneered a tunable technique to generate wood-like plant material in a lab, which could enable someone to “grow” a wooden product like a table without needing to cut down trees, process lumber, etc.

These researchers have now demonstrated that, by adjusting certain chemicals used during the growth process, they can precisely control the physical and mechanical properties of the resulting plant material, such as its stiffness and density.

They also show that, using 3D bioprinting techniques, they can grow plant material in shapes, sizes, and forms that are not found in nature and that can’t be easily produced using traditional agricultural methods.

“The idea is that you can grow these plant materials in exactly the shape that you need, so you don’t need to do any subtractive manufacturing after the fact, which reduces the amount of energy and waste. There is a lot of potential to expand this and grow three-dimensional structures,” says lead author Ashley Beckwith, a recent PhD graduate.

Though still in its early days, this research demonstrates that lab-grown plant materials can be tuned to have specific characteristics, which could someday enable researchers to grow wood products with the exact features needed for a particular application, like high strength to support the walls of a house or certain thermal properties to more efficiently heat a room, explains senior author Luis Fernando Velásquez-García, a principal scientist in MIT’s Microsystems Technology Laboratories.

To begin the process of growing plant material in the lab, the researchers first isolate cells from the leaves of young Zinnia elegans plants. The cells are cultured in liquid medium for two days, then transferred to a gel-based medium, which contains nutrients and two different hormones.

Adjusting the hormone levels at this stage in the process enables researchers to tune the physical and mechanical properties of the plant cells that grow in that nutrient-rich broth.

“In the human body, you have hormones that determine how your cells develop and how certain traits emerge. In the same way, by changing the hormone concentrations in the nutrient broth, the plant cells respond differently. Just by manipulating these tiny chemical quantities, we can elicit pretty dramatic changes in terms of the physical outcomes,” Beckwith says.

In a way, these growing plant cells behave almost like stem cells — researchers can give them cues to tell them what to become, Velásquez-García adds.

They use a 3D printer to extrude the cell culture gel solution into a specific structure in a petri dish, and let it incubate in the dark for three months. Even with this incubation period, the researchers’ process is about two orders of magnitude faster than the time it takes for a tree to grow to maturity, Velásquez-García says.

Following incubation, the resulting cell-based material is dehydrated, and then the researchers evaluate its properties.

They found that lower hormone levels yielded plant materials with more rounded, open cells that have lower density, while higher hormone levels led to the growth of plant materials with smaller, denser cell structures. Higher hormone levels also yielded plant material that was stiffer; the researchers were able to grow plant material with a storage modulus (stiffness) similar to that of some natural woods.

Another goal of this work is to study what is known as lignification in these lab-grown plant materials. Lignin is a polymer that is deposited in the cell walls of plants which makes them rigid and woody. They found that higher hormone levels in the growth medium causes more lignification, which would lead to plant material with more wood-like properties.

The researchers also demonstrated that, using a 3D bioprinting process, the plant material can be grown in a custom shape and size. Rather than using a mold, the process involves the use of a customizable computer-aided design file that is fed to a 3D bioprinter, which deposits the cell gel culture into a specific shape. For instance, they were able to grow plant material in the shape of a tiny evergreen tree.

Research of this kind is relatively new, Borenstein says.

“This work demonstrates the power that a technology at the interface between engineering and biology can bring to bear on an environmental challenge, leveraging advances originally developed for health care applications,” he adds.

The researchers also show that the cell cultures can survive and continue to grow for months after printing, and that using a thicker gel to produce thicker plant material structures does not impact the survival rate of the lab-grown cells.

“I think the real opportunity here is to be optimal with what you use and how you use it. If you want to create an object that is going to serve some purpose, there are mechanical expectations to consider. This process is really amenable to customization,” Velásquez-García says.

Now that they have demonstrated the effective tunability of this technique, the researchers want to continue experimenting so they can better understand and control cellular development. They also want to explore how other chemical and genetic factors can direct the growth of the cells.

They hope to evaluate how their method could be transferred to a new species. Zinnia plants don’t produce wood, but if this method were used to make a commercially important tree species, like pine, the process would need to be tailored to that species, Velásquez-García says.

Ultimately, he is hopeful this work can help to motivate other groups to dive into this area of research to help reduce deforestation.

“Trees and forests are an amazing tool for helping us manage climate change, so being as strategic as we can with these resources will be a societal necessity going forward,” Beckwith adds.

https://web.mit.edu/

Airnov to showcase its range of healthcare packaging solutions to Indian market at Innopack Pharma Confex

Petra Löwer (Germany)

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May 25, 2022

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Airnov to showcase its range of healthcare packaging solutions to Indian market at Innopack Pharma Confex

Large range of industry-leading and sustainable solutions are available to pharmaceutical packaging producers
Airnov’s laser-marked canisters, rimless packets, washers, EQius™ and vials will be exhibited at key industry event
Innopack Pharma Confex to be held in Mumbai on June 9-10, 2022

Airnov Healthcare Packaging, a global leader in controlled atmosphere packaging, will be presenting a large portfolio of solutions available to customers in India at the upcoming Innopack Pharma Confex, scheduled to take place in Mumbai on June 9-10.