SABIC INTRODUCES NEW SUPERFLOW ULTEM™ RESINS TO ENABLE MINIATURIZATION FOR BURN IN TEST SOCKETS (BITS) AND CONNECTORS POWERING ELECTRONIC DEVICES

SABIC, a global leader in the chemical industry, is introducing two new grades in its portfolio of Superflow ULTEM ™ resins that address the trend of electronic component miniaturization to enable smaller, lighter and more-sophisticated devices. Glass fiber-reinforced Superflow ULTEM SF2250EPR and SF2270 resins feature exceptional flow properties for molding burn-in test sockets (BiTS) used to stress-test integrated circuit (IC) chips. They can also potentially be used to mold thin-wall, high-precision, miniaturized connectors. Their signature flow properties help meet the challenges of complete mold filling and easy release in ever-smaller components.

Balancing flow with toughness, Superflow ULTEM SF2250EPR and SF2270 resins are excellent alternatives to incumbent materials such as glass fiber-reinforced liquid crystal polymers (LCPs) and polyethersulfone (PES) resins. They deliver greater weld line strength and mechanical performance than LCPs, and higher tensile strength and modulus, higher weld line strength and lower moisture absorption than PES resins.

“As electronic components such as IC chips and onboard connectors shrink in size and weight to support new generations of mobile and wearable devices, there is a need for novel materials offering optimized performance and consistent quality in miniaturized configurations,” said Tsutomu (Tom) Kinoshita, senior business manager, SABIC. “These requirements apply both to connectors and burn-in test sockets used to test the performance and reliability of IC chips for higher-speed and higher-density interconnections required by smart electronics. The expansion of our Superflow ULTEM resin portfolio addresses evolving industry trends and demonstrates SABIC’s continued investment in new technologies for the electronics industry.”

Sensata’s Success
Burn-in test socket manufacturers are seeking new material solutions that can support advanced designs for fine-pitch components that are used under extremely harsh conditions, including high temperatures, high pressures and multiple cycles of use. Superflow ULTEM SF2250EPR resin is an advanced material that can withstand high-heat burn-in tests up to 150°C, while offering higher strength and dimensional stability compared to incumbent materials. South Korea’s Sensata Technologies is one of the first BiTS makers to adopt SABIC’s Superflow ULTEM SF2250EPR resin.

Tommy Oh, design & engineering manager, Sensing Solutions, for Sensata Korea, said, “As the industry advances to finer pitches and miniaturization, existing material solutions present technical limitations in complex BiTS designs due to insufficient flowability and weak weld lines. SABIC’s new Superflow ULTEM SF2250EPR solution enables us to successfully develop and commercialize various BiTS devices with superior performance, especially those with lower pitches, such as 0.5 mm and even 0.4 mm. This material has demonstrated approximately 30 percent better ductility, plus much better flowability, compared to alternative PES solutions, especially in thinner-wall weld areas. With the new SABIC material, we anticipate major benefits for our BiTS applications in critical performance areas, including tensile and flexural strength.”

Super Benefits
Within the ULTEM resin family of polyetherimide (PEI) materials, the Superflow series provides the highest flow properties with up to five times longer flow length than standard glass fiber reinforced ULTEM resins. The high flow performance can reduce the number of gates resulting in less breakage and higher production yields. Other benefits include lower melt temperature settings that can save energy and minimize outgassing, and accelerated cycle times for higher productivity.

Superflow ULTEM resins can potentially replace high-flow, glass fiber-reinforced PES materials. Not only do the ULTEM grades offer similar flow behavior compared to PES – avoiding the need for tool modification – they can deliver up to 20 percent higher strength and modulus, up to 9 percent lower density and lower moisture absorption.

The new Superflow ULTEM grades are available globally.

THERMOLAST® H TPE for Mouthpiece Applications

KRAIBURG TPE’s new THERMOLAST® H TPE compounds are ideal for use in dental mouthpiece applications, also known as dental mouth guards. The TPE compounds feature good durability, flexibility, and with high purity
properties

TPE series designed to meet dental tooling needs
The TPE compounds are free from animal ingredients, PVC, silicone and latex. The HC/AP series possess good chemical resistance, tear strength and compression for dental tooling applications in frequent contact with
fluids and chemicals.
THERMOLAST® H also feature a wide range of hardness from 30-90 Shore A, with optimizable processability. The compound series is translucent and can be colored to create a variety of chromatic effects.

Safety as a priority for dental appliances
The THERMOLAST® H materials have been tested in accordance with ISO 10993-5 and GB/T 16886.5 (cytotoxicity). They meet internationally recognized safety and quality standards, such as the China GB 4806 –
2016; the US FDA CFR 21; Regulation (EU) No 10/2011; and REACH and RoHS.

UniteChem expands its portfolio of high-performance light stabilizers

Dusseldorf, Germany, November 3, 2021 – UniteChem Group, the world’s leading supplier of light stabilizers for plastics in a broad range of high-end industrial applications, has recently started full-scale production of advanced high-performance light stabilizers UniteChem LS2020 and LS119 in its newly commissioned production facilities.

“UniteChem Group began producing industry-standard light stabilizers such as UniteChem LS944 in 1997 and has been continuously expanding its polymer additives portfolio ever since”, says Junyi Lin, CEO of UniteChem Group. “Today, we are proud to be among the world’s largest- capacity suppliers of light stabilizers and other plastic additives, offering over 40’000 tons of finished products. Our full backward integration with a production capacity of over 80’000 tons of intermediates provides extensive production flexibility, high reliability, and maximum quality control. Current production, located in two state-of-the-art production facilities in Jiangsu province, is now in process of being complimented with two new major production facilities in Jiangsu and Sichuan provinces, with completion in 2022/23.”

UniteChem LS2020 is a modern HALS (hindered amine light stabilizer) offering excellent anti- aging properties in applications such as cross-linked polyethylene, olefin copolymers and other polymer materials. UniteChem LS119 is especially suited for use in polyethylene greenhouse film applications, polypropylene fibers, TPO automotive parts as well as other polymers such as EVA, EPDM, PA, PET and PMMA. With these product additions, UniteChem Group further enhances its commitment to offer customers the most up-to-date and value-added product
portfolio.

Junyi Lin added: “The production of UniteChem LS2020 and LS119 is currently being methodically ramped up, with target capacities of 1’000 tons and 2’000 tons annually to meet global demand.”

As part of its commitment to invest in future solutions for its customers, UniteChem Group regularly allocates five percent of its total revenue to R&D, operating five independent laboratories – including its recently opened modern Shanghai R&D Center. Current efforts focus on expanding the group’s portfolio with high-demand UV Absorbers, NOR-HALS light stabilizers as well as other key polymer additives.

UniteChem Group, the world’s leading supplier of light stabilizers for plastics in a broad range of high-end industrial applications, has recently started full-scale production of advanced high- performance light stabilizers UniteChem LS2020 and LS119 in its newly commissioned production facilities. (Photos: UniteChem)

About UniteChem
UniteChem Group, with global headquarters in Suqian City, Jiangsu (China), is the world’s #1 supplier of high-performance light stabilizers for plastics in a wide range of demanding industrial applications. As one of China’s largest specialty chemicals companies, the Group has diversified activities in R&D, application development, production, sales, trading and machine manufacturing. It specializes in the production of light stabilizers, UV absorbers and other related products.

With a workforce of about 1,650 employees worldwide, UniteChem generates a turnover of approximately EUR 300 million and supports its growing customer base through several production plants in China and a strong network of sales, service and warehousing facilities throughout Asia, the Middle East, Europe and the Americas. Its operations are fully certified to ISO 9001, ISO 14001, ISO 45001 and OSHAS 18001. In 2020, the Group also succeeded in passing a strict Together for Sustainability (TfS) audit, a de facto global standard for environmental,
social and governance performance of chemical supply chains based on the UN’s Global Compact and Responsible Care® principles.

Learn more at www.unitechem.eu.

THE NEW PIONEERING INTELLIGENT BRAKING SYSTEM FROM BREMBO

The new benchmark of efficient

Mercedes-Benz is setting new standards for electric range and efficiency with the VISION EQXX. The prototype demonstrates just how efficient, sustainable and luxurious electromobility can be. This champion of efficiency has a range of more than 1,000 kilometers on a single battery charge, which equates to consumption of less than 10 kWh of energy per 100 kilometers.

This is due in part to the exterior design and aerodynamics, which achieve a benchmark drag coefficient of 0.17. The irresistible bodywork takes the revolution further: the VISION EQXX demonstrates precisely what will make an electric vehicle a Mercedes-Benz in the future, with lightweight design, battery innovations and new materials.

The fine art of aerodynamics has a long and illustrious tradition at Mercedes-Benz. Automotive enthusiasts will recall the C 111 from the 1970s. Today, it is the luxury class pioneer, the EQS, that holds the world record for the most aerodynamic production vehicle.

The VISION EQXX is now establishing the next milestone – with a drag coefficient of just 0.17. This record value is of particular importance for electric driving and, above all, for the range. This is because two-thirds of the electric energy is needed just to counter the air resistance.

Click here

Indorama Ventures opens new IOD business and R&D center in Mumbai to serve customers in India and Asia-Pacific

Indorama Ventures Public Company Limited (IVL), a global sustainable chemical company, opened its new 10,000-square-foot office and technology center at Marwah Centre in the prime area of Mumbai, India. The new facility is part of the company’s high-growth Integrated Oxides & Derivatives (IOD) business segment, serving global customers in India and the Asia-Pacific.

Alastair Port, Chief Operating Officer of IOD business at Indorama Ventures, said, “IVL is committed to growing our IOD business sustainably in India and Asia-Pacific and this new business and technology center in Mumbai is a key driver.

Having support functions as well as an R&D center under one roof in the heart of Mumbai is convenient for customers to collaborate with us to create better solutions.”

The new R&D center is the company’s hub for the Indian Subcontinent and South East Asia to develop products supporting downstream markets, such as home, personal and industrial care and cleaning, agrochemicals, energy, lubricants, mining, and coatings.  The center will also work closely with IVL’s global R&D team to exchange information and accelerate product development cycles.

Samir Rawal, Regional Business Director of IOD – ISC, China, ASEAN, said, “The new state of the art Innovation Center and office facility reflects our commitment to a fast-growing Indian Subcontinent and wider APAC market . This will provide a strong platform for our rapid growth in years to come.”

The new facility provides a higher quality environment for employees with convenient transport options and modern facilities. The business’s commercial and technical functions, including supply chain, finance, sales, and R&D are integrated at the new facility. The integration enables closer collaboration across functions and faster improvements to address changing customer needs.

Click here 

Keep food fresh with this bacteria-killing packaging

A team of scientists from NTU Singapore and Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, US, has developed a ‘smart’ food packaging material that is biodegradable, sustainable and kills microbes that are harmful to humans. It could also extend the shelf-life of fresh fruit by two to three days.

The natural food packaging is made from a type of corn protein called zein, starch and other naturally derived biopolymers, infused with a cocktail of natural antimicrobial compounds (see video). These include oil from thyme, a common herb used in cooking, and citric acid, which is commonly found in citrus fruits.

In lab experiments, when exposed to an increase in humidity or enzymes from harmful bacteria, the fibres in the packaging have been shown to release the natural antimicrobial compounds, killing common dangerous bacteria that contaminate food, such as E. coli and Listeria, as well as fungi.

The packaging is designed to release the necessary miniscule amounts of antimicrobial compounds only in response to the presence of additional humidity or bacteria. This ensures that the packaging can endure several exposures, and last for months.

As the compounds combat any bacteria that grow on the surface of the packaging as well as on the food product itself, it has the potential to be used for a large variety of products, including ready-to-eat foods, raw meat, fruits, and vegetables.

In an experiment, strawberries that were wrapped in the packaging stayed fresh for seven days before developing mould, compared to counterparts that were kept in mainstream fruit plastic boxes, which only stayed fresh for four days.

The invention is the result of the collaboration by scientists from the NTU-Harvard T. H. Chan School of Public Health Initiative for Sustainable Nanotechnology (NTU-Harvard SusNano), which brings together NTU and Harvard Chan School researchers to work on cutting edge applications in agriculture and food, with an emphasis on developing non-toxic and environmentally safe nanomaterials.

The development of this advanced food packaging material is part of the University’s efforts to promote sustainable food tech solutions, that is aligned with the NTU 2025 strategic plan, which aims to develop sustainable solutions to address some of humanity’s pressing grand challenges.

https://www.ntu.edu.sg/