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The Largest Sorting Plant In Latin America, Supplied By Stadler, Begins Operation In Mexico City

The Largest Sorting Plant In Latin America, Supplied By Stadler, Begins Operation In Mexico City

The Azcapotzalco Transfer Station and Sorting Plant, the largest and most modern in Latin America, has opened its doors in Mexico City (CDMX). With this facility, the city government is the first in the country to move towards a correct treatment of urban waste based on a circular economy concept – one of the priority objectives of the current administration.

Stadler supplied the cutting-edge technology to achieve this milestone. Natalya Duarte, Sales Director for Mexico at Stadler, says: “We would like to thank Mexico City for allowing us to give our contribution and take part in the great challenge of reducing waste in Mexico City, one of the most populated megacities in the world, where more than 12,000 tons of waste are generated every day.” The city government thus lays the groundwork for fulfilling its environmental responsibility, recognising the importance of complying with international agreements and the need to apply circular economy principles.

The facility is run by Pro Ambiente, a subsidiary of Cemex, which has more than 25 years of experience in waste management and in operating plants for the selection and recovery of waste-derived fuels. “We are proud to participate in this new project, which is in line with our sustainability and emission reduction objectives. We are prepared to operate this plant under a model that guarantees, first and foremost, the safety of all our employees, operational continuity through maintenance and production programs with international standards, and sorting quality to ensure a greater use of the waste generated in Mexico City,” says José Guillermo Díaz, Cemex’s manager of technology and alternative fuels.

“Stadler’s innovative sorting technology makes sense both in terms of the efficiency achieved in the recovery process and the high degree of purity of the materials obtained. It professionalizes and industrializes this waste management process, providing working conditions for manual sorters that are comparable to those of any first-world plant. It is worth noting that automation does not displace human resources. It is possible to achieve a perfect balance between the two, which is key for the Mexican market. We clearly showed that it is so in this project in Mexico City, where the balance between technology and human resources improves the numbers from a public administration point of view and optimizes the operational cost of this type of recycling plant,” says Natalya Duarte.

Proud to have been selected to participate in this exciting step towards a sustainable future, Natalya Duarte says that this plant is special for several reasons: “The innovative sorting technology allows us to move from a more manual sorting process to an automatic process that ensures higher recovery efficiency and material purity. This results in recyclable materials of higher value. The recycling process is also professionalized and industrialized, striking the right balance between technology and manual quality control. In addition, the plant operates under criteria of efficiency and sustainability that are completely new in this country, and it sees technological innovation as a fundamental tool in the care of the environment.

For more details: www. stadler.de/

Solvay Launches New Ajedium Build Sheets Portfolio For Additive Manufacturing

Solvay Launches New Ajedium Build Sheets Portfolio For Additive Manufacturing

Solvay is introducing a new portfolio of additive manufacturing (AM) build sheets marketed under the umbrella of the company’s Ajedium brand products. Build sheets or plates are used in additive manufacturing processes as basic surfaces on which the extruded AM filament layers are built upon or 3D printed.

 

Solvay’s Ajedium Build Sheets are compatible with 3D printers for fused deposition modeling (FDM), including vacuum and non-vacuum technologies. They can be customized to any thickness and size to meet the specific dimensions of different 3D printers, and are also available with adhesive backing to protect the building surface and prevent defects during the printing process.

 

Solvay offers Ajedium Build Sheets in a range of options which can be produced from different high-performance polymers, such as Udel PSU, Radel PPSU, and KetaSpire PEEK. They deliver excellent stiffness and flatness, durability, thermal resistance and adhesion properties. The broad portfolio enables designers to select the build sheet that is most compatible with their printing material and printer temperature chamber, while providing them with the peace of mind that the sheet will neither warp nor crack during printing. Additionally, the surface can be treated to further enhance the adhesion of printed parts.

 

“Ajedium Build Sheets are a natural extension of our proven high-performance Ajedium solutions for critical applications in markets from Aerospace and Automotive to Energy, Electrical and Electronics, Healthcare and Industrial,” states Rodolfo Patricio, Aerospace & Defense Marketing Manager at Solvay. “At the same time, they complement our portfolio of Radel PPSU, KetaSpire PEEK, Solef PVDF filaments and new material solutions for additive manufacturing.”

 

Solvay’s new Ajedium Build Sheets underscore the company’s strategy to position itself as the industry’s leading supplier of customized AM solutions for applications with high-performance specialty polymers. The strategy rests on three pillars: materials, process and design. For materials, Solvay enables a growing choice of AM-ready filaments and powder materials. In regards to AM process development, Solvay has been working on the Solvay printer evaluation program (S-PEP) and partnerships with leading equipment suppliers. For design, Solvay partnered with Digimat by e-Xstream, a simulation software database enabling customers to predict and optimize their parts in order ‘to print right the first time’ as well as organizing the Solvay AM Cup competition for talented design and engineering students.

 

For more details: www.solvay.com/en

Sars-Cov-2, Influenza A Inactivated By Zinc-Embedded Nylon Fabric

An international team of scientists and engineers from the University of Cambridge, the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, ResInnova Labs and Ascend Performance Materials has found that a nylon fabric embedded with zinc ions successfully inactivated 99% of the viruses that cause COVID-19 and the common flu.

 

Face masks, protective clothing and filters are used to slow the spread of viruses. But poor-quality masks can harbor active viruses from infected wearers, posing a transmission risk.

 

“A major challenge is absorption and inactivation,” said Vikram Gopal, Ph.D., co-senior author and chief technology officer at Ascend Performance Materials. “Respiratory viral illnesses, such as COVID-19, and the flu, are transmitted through droplets and aerosols. Polypropylene, the material in commonly used disposable masks, is a hydrophobic plastic and does not absorb moisture. Instead, the viruses can sit on the surface of the mask, posing a transmission risk when the mask is handled.”

 

Cotton also has problems, Dr. Gopal said. “Cotton effectively absorbs moisture, but it doesn’t inactivate the virus – again, posing a transmission risk,” he said.

 

In the paper published in ACS Applied Materials Interfaces, the researchers described how a fabric made of nylon 6, 6 embedded with active zinc ions absorbed virus-containing moisture droplets and effectively inactivated the particles. The fabric produced a 2-log, or 99%, reduction of virus particles in one hour.

 

The research team also was able to demonstrate that nylon with active zinc ions remains stable over time, keeping its virus-inactivating properties after 50 washes.

 

“The study shows how nylon textile fabric with zinc outperforms the widely used cotton and polypropylene materials at virus absorption and inactivation,” Dr. Gopal said.

 

The findings have significant implications for future development of PPE, Dr. Gopal said.

 

“Pathogen-free PPE does more than just cut down the risk of transmitting the virus,” Gopal said. “By making PPE washable and reusable, you reduce the need for single-use products, keeping hundreds of millions of masks out of landfills.”

 

For more details: www.pubs.acs.org/

Sabic Launches Recycled Automotive Grades Under TRUCIRCLE Portfolio Of Circular Solutions

Sabic Launches Recycled Automotive Grades Under TRUCIRCLE Portfolio Of Circular Solutions

Sabic, introduced the company’s first automotive grades containing mechanically recycled content within the company’s TRUCIRCLE portfolio of circular solutions and services. The new resins are Sabic T2E-3320EH PP compound, a high-flow, low-emission, talc-filled polypropylene (PP); XENOY T2NX2500UV resin, an unfilled, UV-stabilized blend of polycarbonate (PC) and polyethylene terephthalate (PET); and XENOY T2NX5230 resin, a mineral-filled PC/PET blend. All three materials contain up to 29 percent recycled content and offer excellent performance similar to that of the incumbent virgin resins, giving automotive customers new options that can help them address their sustainability goals.

“The new TRUCIRCLE materials support the automotive industry’s sustainability initiatives by providing an opportunity to extend the life of plastic waste and helping to increase value from post-consumer products,” said Abdullah Al-Otaibi, general manager, ETP & Market Solutions, Sabic. “These new products are the first of many Sabic resins to be introduced with mechanically recycled content for potential use in interior and exterior automotive applications. They also may complement other types of sustainable materials, such as certified renewable products from bio-based content, which we are also developing. It’s all part of Sabic’s strategy to accelerate towards a true circular economy.”

Sabic is launching these three grades to support various new automotive applications. Sabic T2E-3320EH PP compound features stiffness, low emissions and high heat resistance for non-visible heating/ventilation/air conditioning (HVAC) components within the instrument panel and interior and under-the-hood parts. An internal life cycle assessment (LCA) showed Sabic T2E-3320EH PP compound offers a reduced product carbon footprint of up to 24 percent compared to the corresponding virgin PP compound because it incorporates 25 percent recycled PP.

Sabic’s XENOY T2NX2500UV resin contains 21 percent recycled PET. It provides excellent heat and impact performance, dimensional stability and low shrinkage for painted exterior body panels, spoilers, fuel filler doors and trim. It is also UV stabilized for potential use in unpainted applications. SABIC’s LCA data indicates this grade lowers global warming potential (GWP) by 11 percent and cumulative energy demand (CED) by 12 percent vs. virgin material.

Sabic’s XENOY T2NX5230 resin contains 16 percent mineral reinforcement and 29 percent recycled PET. Similar to XENOY T2NX2500UV resin, it delivers properties that make it a potential solution for painted body panels, trim and other components. The product’s reinforcement delivers higher stiffness and a lower coefficient of linear thermal expansion (CLTE) compared to XENOY T2NX2500UV resin, making XENOY T2NX5230 resin a good candidate for roof spoilers and exterior trim. Both XENOY grades offer high flow for improved throughput.

For more details:  www.sabic.com

Sabic To Showcase At Cmpe 2021 Its Broad And Growing Portfolio Of Specialized Materials For 5g Applications

Sabic To Showcase At Cmpe 2021 Its Broad And Growing Portfolio Of Specialized Materials For 5g Applications

Sabic, will exhibit at CMPE 2021 in booth #8B61 its extensive portfolio of high-performance materials for 5G applications, including specialized LNP compounds and copolymers, ULTEM and NORYL resins, and oligomers. These advanced technologies can help customers solve 5G infrastructure, e-mobility and device challenges by helping to improve long-term reliability and radio frequency (RF) performance, reduce weight and create innovative new designs. Sabic will also highlight innovative material solutions that improve sustainability through the incorporation of bio-based, and mechanically recycled and chemically upcycled content. In addition, the company will feature the latest generation of its VISUALFX resins for enhancing the aesthetics and sustainability of 5G-enabled devices.

 

“Global success with 5G depends on meeting consumer demand for next-generation networking, from speed and reliability to sustainability,” said Martin Tam, Director, Fulfillment & Marketing, APAC, Specialties, Sabic. “To meet these expectations, operators and device makers are implementing new technologies and expanding coverage and capacity. Sabic’s world-renowned portfolio of materials enables us to evolve with the industry and collaborate on new applications that can deliver an exceptional experience, whether it involves a mobile phone, an IoT device or ADAS sensors.”

 

Sabic’s LNP compounds and copolymers can help engineers vastly improve the design and performance of active antenna units (AAUs) and identify potential system cost savings. These materials can deliver excellent weatherability, light weight, very low dielectric constant/dissipation factor (Dk/Df) and moisture absorption, and compatibility with surface mount technology (SMT).

 

NORYL resins offer significant benefits for 5G components exposed to high frequencies, temperatures and humidity, including GPS antennas, microwave antenna reflectors, cooling fans and mmWave radar covers. These resins, based on polyphenylene ether (PPE), offer a very low specific gravity, non-brominated/non-chlorinated flame retardance, excellent hydrolytic and dimensional stability, and exceptional dielectric performance.

 

ULTEM resins for demanding applications offer a unique combination of high heat resistance, dimension stability, infrared (IR) transparency, stable Dk and low Df over a wide temperature range, and metallization capability. Potentially suitable 5G applications for ULTEM resins include fiber optical connectors and lenses, board-to-board and various RF connectors, and RF filter components. ULTEM resins can help customers achieve long-term product reliability, weight reduction and system cost effectiveness benefits.

 

NORYL oligomers help formulators achieve high speed, low loss products that enable multi-layer printed circuit board designs with ultra-low insertion loss.

 

Sabic’s new VISUALFX resins, launched last week, deliver stylish colors and effects that are inherent in the material, avoiding the environmental impact, time and costs of secondary painting. Grouped into six themes, the VISUALFX materials capture the desired look and feel of today’s hottest design trends, from retro to futuristic, and from edgy to gentle. These resins are ideal for differentiating mobile and IoT device housings. To increase sustainability, the collection includes a new polycarbonate (PC)/siloxane copolymer with 80 percent post-consumer recycled (PCR) content. Sabic offers extensive services through the company’s global COLORXPRESS centers, including precision color matching and expert guidance on custom colors.

 

In addition to the PC/siloxane copolymer with PCR content, Sabic will exhibit other sustainable materials that can contribute to net-zero carbon goals. One notable example is LNP ELCRIN iQ compounded resins, which contain up to 60 percent recycled content (by weight). The supply chain for LNP ELCRIN iQ resins has been audited for responsible sourcing including social, environmental, health and safety requirements.

 

“Being a leader in the 5G space means keeping pace with the global implementation of this technology – which varies widely across geographies,” said Jenny Wang, Director, Formulation and Application, APAC, Specialties, Sabic. “We strive to anticipate our customers’ needs by matching product development to the latest industry, regulatory and consumer requirements. Sabic understands the implications of megatrends like urbanization and circularity for our customers’ products, and we are rapidly developing targeted materials to address them. Our proactive approach, combined with broad and deep resources, can help the 5G ecosystem meet multiple challenges and achieve its full potential.”

 

For more details: www.sabic.com

Trexel and Bockatech Partner to Increase Benefits and Scope of Foamed Packaging Applications

Trexel and Bockatech Partner to Increase Benefits and Scope of Foamed Packaging Applications

Trexel has long been a pioneer in physical foaming technologies using their MuCell technology. MuCell has been in commercial production for 20 years enabling lighter and more dimensionally stable injection molded parts. The company has recently been focusing on packaging, developing the P-Series, a MuCell system designed specifically for fast-cycle packaging applications. The benefits include thinner wall molding from reduced material viscosity and substantially reduced injection pressure and clamp tonnage, unique design freedoms with the elimination of flow restrictions during cavity filling and the ability to pack end-of-fill features through foaming, and the ability to produce opaque packaging that can be recycled in the clear recycling stream.

Trexel has teamed up with Bockatech (UK) to further develop technologies that complement Bockatech EcoCore. Products made with EcoCore use a combination of innovations in materials, processes, mold design as well as component design and are lightweight, insulated, strong, and durable.

Together, Trexel and Bockatech are working to create more sustainable recyclable and reusable packaging for to-go food service, food retail, and other FMCG as well as industrial applications.

EcoCore significantly reduces the cycle time required, to a level similar to that of traditional unfoamed thin-wall injection molded plastic components. This reduction, in combination with a cut in material brought about by the use foam, makes the process beneficial in terms of both cost and performance for many packaging applications. These applications include reusable, those that benefit from a thermal barrier and containers that require extra strength. Typical applications include to-go coffee and cold drink cups, noodle pots and industrial pails.

​EcoCore containers are made by injecting a gas-laden melt (typically polypropylene) into a mold quickly at high pressure. The mold is opened almost immediately after filling. Expansion is controlled by skins, formed on the inner and outer faces of the container walls by cooling, that has molten and foaming resin in the center. Typically using EcoCore results in a weight saving of around 30% compared to traditional injection molded containers.

EcoCore was originally developed using chemical foaming agents, Bockatech is now working with MuCell as they are continuing to push the boundaries of what foam light-weighting can achieve as well as applying it to other packaging forms. “The collaboration between Bockatech and Trexel was started to enable us to get a better understanding of the actual benefits of using gas foaming agents, in place of chemical foaming agents (CFAs), for packaging,” said Chris Bocking, Founder, and Chief Strategy Officer at Bockatech. “EcoCore moldings, made with MuCell, feature different cell structures to those made with CFAs. These results in containers that take advantage of specific expansions designed for MuCell N2 and we’re looking forward to sharing more about the excellent results from the collaboration later this year.” Currently, Bockatech is using Trexel’s MuCell in the development of innovative and more sustainable retail food packaging for one of the best-known US food brands as well as caps for a leading FMCG brand in Europe.

For more details: www.trexel.com.

Plastics Machinery Shipments Slowed in the Second Quarter

Plastics Machinery Shipments Slowed in the Second Quarter

The Plastics Industry Association (Plastics) announced today shipments of primary plastics machinery (injection molding and extrusion) in North America decreased for the second consecutive quarter according to the statistics compiled and reported by Plastics’ Committee on Equipment Statistics (CES).

The preliminary estimate of shipment value from reporting companies totaled $320.9 million in Second Quarter 2021. It decreased by 4.2% following the 11.1% decrease in First Quarter 2021. Compared to Second Quarter 2020, however, plastics machinery shipments rose by 21.2%. The value of shipments of single-screw extruders increased significantly by 33.1% from the First Quarter 2021, but twin-screw extruders and injection molding shipments fell by 24.9% and 4.9%, respectively. Compared to Second Quarter 2020, shipments of injection molding, single- and twin-screw extruders were 19.5%, 37.8%, and 32.3% higher, respectively.

“While new orders of plastics equipment have been increasing, ongoing supply chain issues–-shortage of parts and components––are causing longer order-to-delivery timelines. This explains the decrease in shipments in the second quarter. For the third consecutive quarter, plastics equipment shipments were higher from a year earlier. This means that the underlying trend in plastics equipment demand remains upward sloping – still in sync with the robust economic recovery,” said Perc Pineda, PhD, Chief Economist of Plastics.

Plastic’s CES also conducts a quarterly survey of plastics machinery suppliers that asks about present market conditions and expectations for the future. In the Second Quarter 2021 survey, 92.7% of respondents expect market conditions to either improve or hold steady in the coming quarter – marginally lower than the 93.5% of respondents who expressed the same view in First Quarter 2021’s survey. As for the next 12 months, 78.7% expect market conditions to be steady-to-better. This is lower than the 93.0% of respondents in the previous quarter’s survey who were expecting growth in the next 12 months.

The volume of merchandise trade is expected to increase this year as global economic conditions improve. The World Trade Organization expects to see an 8.4% increase in global merchandise trade this year.

“Until the supply chain issues are resolved, and production lead times return to normal, expect to see fluctuations in quarterly shipments of plastics machinery. Nevertheless, the outlook for plastics machinery in the second half of the year is positive,” said Pineda.

For more details: www.plasticsindustry.org

Plastics 2021 Size & Impact Report Indicates Continued Growth

Plastics 2021 Size & Impact Report Indicates Continued Growth

The Plastics Industry Association (Plastics) released its much-anticipated 2021 Size & Impact Report at a webinar attended by Association members, non-members within the industry, and members of the media. The 2021 report indicates that the U.S. plastics industry remains one of the largest sectors of the American economy and continues on a strong growth path.

 

“The COVID-19 pandemic has been a difficult test for the plastics industry, but it has proven our durability and resilience as the data continues to demonstrate our positive impact on America’s economy,” said Tony Radoszewski, President  & CEO of the Plastics Industry Association (PLASTICS). “We’re the 8th largest industry in the country and accounted for almost one million jobs and hundreds of billions of dollars in shipments last year.”

 

This year’s report indicates that the U.S. plastics industry accounted for $394.7 billion in shipments in 2020 and 945,300 jobs. When suppliers to the U.S. plastics industry are included, the total shipments figure balloons to $541.5 billion and 1.55 million jobs. According to the most recent data, the plastics industry is the eighth largest industry in America.

 

“The COVID-19 pandemic disrupted a thriving U.S. economy affecting many industries including plastics,” said Perc Pineda, PhD, Chief Economist of Plastics. “This resulted in an estimated 0.9% decrease in the real value of shipments in plastics manufacturing. The marginal downtick in shipments reflects the capacity and commitment of the plastics industry to meet the demands of the manufacturing and consumer sectors, particularly in a stressful macroeconomic environment.”

 

The annual report features exclusive, new data on U.S. plastics manufacturing, plastics industry employment, and the outlook for plastics domestically. This year’s report showed the plastics industry’s continued, multi-decade track record of strength when compared to the overall U.S. manufacturing sector. Since 1997, the U.S. plastics industry has outpaced all of U.S. manufacturing in terms of growth in real shipments, real value added, productivity growth, and employment.

 

The 2021 Size & Impact Report includes state-level data and insights that demonstrate the industry’s geographic footprint. State highlights include Texas being home to the largest number of plastics employees with 70,500. The plastics industry is incredibly important for employment across the industrial Midwest. In Indiana, jobs in plastics account for 15.6 of every 1,000 non-farm jobs. Wisconsin is a close second in this regard, with 14.9 of every 1,000 non-farm jobs being in plastics, followed by Michigan and Ohio.

 

According to the report, the outlook for the plastics industry for the remainder of 2021 and into 2022 will be linked to the global economic recovery. The global economic slowdown related to the coronavirus pandemic underscored the importance of a well-functioning global supply chain. The plastics industry could continue to face labor and supply chain-related headwinds ahead.

 

For more details: www.plasticsindustry.org/

Egypt Presents Attractive Business Opportunities For The Global Plastics Industry

Egypt Presents Attractive Business Opportunities For The Global Plastics Industry

The global plastics market volume stood at USD 586 billion in 2019 and is expected to register a compound annual growth rate of 5% by 2025, from which the MENA region market is estimated to reach over USD 80 billion by 2025, with Egypt holding a 17% share of MENA region’s plastic market.

 

Egypt has the largest polymer market in Africa, accounting for over 20% of demand in 2017.

Its polymer consumption is estimated at 2 million tonnes with per capita consumption of 21.8 kg/head.

 

Egypt depends on imports to meet the demand for plastics, such as polystyrene, polyvinyl chloride and polypropylene, however, the Egyptian government is now focusing majorly on increasing the domestic production of plastics, inviting foreign investments to expand domestic production by easing industrial policy measures. The increasing demand for plastics consumption and the emergence of new raw material sources have encouraged foreign investors making Egypt a major investment hub for the plastics industry.

 

Egypt’s international plastics exhibition, PLASTEX, now in its 18th edition, is an essential exhibition for established industry affiliates, as well as new firms targeting the Middle East and North Africa’s ever-growing exhibition markets.

 

Held under the patronage of the Ministry of Trade & Industry and supported by the Chamber of Chemical Industries, the Division of Plastics Industries and the Chemical & Fertilizers Exports Council, PLASTEX is taking place from 9 – 12 January 2022 in Cairo, Egypt, is the leading exhibition in the Middle East and North African region. The Show is a meeting point for plastics raw materials, machinery and equipment, recycling solutions and industry 4.0 technology providers to connect with leading manufacturers and distributors.

 

 

For more details: www.plastex-online.com

 

Lanxess Expands Capacity For Light-Color Sulfur Carriers

Lanxess Expands Capacity For Light-Color Sulfur Carriers

Production capacity of extreme pressure additives for the lubricants industry to be expanded by 2023

Lanxess is investing a double-digit million amount at its Mannheim site

Lanxess is expanding its production capacity for light-color sulfur carriers at its Mannheim site by several kilo tons. The specialty chemicals company is investing a double-digit million amount to expand the facilities in response to growing demand. The additional volumes are expected to be available beginning in 2023.

 

“The market for sulfur-containing additives in the industrial lubricants sector is changing,” says Martin Saewe, Head of Lanxess’s Lubricant Additives Business (LAB). “We have the right products in our portfolio to support our customers along new paths and grow with them. We intend to use the additional capacity to strengthen our leading market position in extreme pressure additives and exploit global growth potential.”

 

Lanxess sells its light-color sulfur carriers under the brand name Additin EP. These colorless and odorless extreme pressure additives are mainly used in metalworking lubricants. They reduce wear on metal surfaces and prevent cold welding even under extreme conditions such as high pressure.

 

 The Additin EP products are primarily based on locally sourced renewable raw materials like rapeseed oil and its ester derivatives. Because of their beneficial eco-toxicological profile, light-color sulfur carriers are increasingly replacing other chemical substances such as medium-chain chlorinated paraffins, which have been classified in a list as Substances of Very High Concern (SVHCs) by the European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) due to their environmental persistence and high bioaccumulation potential.

 

 Lanxess’s Lubricant Additives Business has a long track record of providing technical expertise to customers who are looking to replace substances like chlorinated paraffins in their formulations with high-performing, environmentally friendly sulfur carriers.

 

 

 For more details:  www. inside.lanxess.com