Polyplastics targets PLASTRON long cellulose fiber reinforced resin for automotive applications

MOSCOW (MRC) -- Polyplastics Group has announced that its newly developed long cellulose fiber reinforced polypropylene (PP) resin, PLASTRON LFT, is being targeted for automotive applications such as door module carriers, center consoles, and armrest cores, said the company.

PLASTRON LFT offers lower density and reduced greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions than short glass-reinforced resins while delivering the same mechanical properties.

Cellulose is a non-edible biomass raw material derived from organic resources other than fossil resources, and has the following characteristics: negative carbon influence (absorbs carbon dioxide in the air when manufactured) and is sustainable (raw material that can be procured sustainably unlike resources such as natural minerals).

Newly developed PLASTRON LFT long cellulose fiber-reinforced resin incorporates regenerated cellulose fibers made using the Solvent Method which produces hardly any waste. Polyplastics uses a Solvent Method cellulose fiber that emits less greenhouse gas when manufactured compared to typical glass fiber. Since it has nearly 10% lower density than glass fiber reinforced PP resin, its greenhouse gas emissions are also even lower when compared in equal volumes.

By nature, cellulose is extraordinarily difficult to dissolve in solvents. A significant majority of typical regenerated cellulose is manufactured using a complex process which involves modification of the cellulose followed by dissolving in solvent and spinning and finally restoring the original cellulose form. This process results in significant emissions of greenhouse gases including carbon dioxide.

In comparison, the solvent method involves a closed process that recovers virtually 100% of the solvent. It generates minimal waste and produces materials that are even more eco-friendly. The company has earned multiple patents throughout the world for resins reinforced with long-regenerated cellulose fiber, including solvent method cellulose fiber.

We remind, Polyplastics Group has announced the launch of a new electrically conductive grade of DURANEX® polybutylene terephthalate (PBT) for millimeter wave radar applications for the automotive industry. DURANEX® PBT 201EB provides the benefit of electromagnetic wave shielding as an added effect of electrical conductivity. As a result, the material contributes to reduced assembly work and cuts cost.

Polyplastics Co., Ltd. is a global leader in the development and production of engineering thermoplastics. The company’s product portfolio includes POM, PBT, PPS, LCP, PET, COC, and LFT. The company has the largest global market share of POM, LCP, and COC. With more than 50 years of experience, the company is backed by a strong global network of R&D, production, and sales resources capable of creating advanced solutions for an ever-changing global marketplace.

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MOSCOW (MRC) -- Aramco, one of the world’s leading integrated energy and chemicals companies, and Linde Engineering, a global leader in the production and processing of gases, announced that they have signed an agreement to jointly develop a new ammonia cracking technology, said Hydrocarbonprocessing.

The collaboration between the two companies will combine Linde Engineering and Aramco’s experience and capabilities in industrial research and development, lower-carbon hydrogen, and ammonia cracking technology.

A potential differentiator of this new technology is the ammonia cracking catalyst, jointly developed by Aramco and the King Abdullah University of Science and Technology, which will be evaluated against other catalysts.

Through this agreement, Aramco and Linde Engineering plan to build a demonstration plant in northern Germany to showcase this new ammonia cracking technology. Linde Engineering intends to offer this ammonia cracking technology to current and new customers, creating new commercial opportunities within the global lower-carbon energy supply chain. The emerging lower-carbon ammonia business may prove to be key in bridging the gap between a country’s domestic renewable energy production capacity and total energy demand.

Ahmad Al-Khowaiter, Senior Vice President and Chief Technology Officer at Aramco, said, “This agreement is part of our ongoing technology and business development efforts to establish a commercially viable lower-carbon hydrogen supply chain. We believe the advanced ammonia cracking technology we are co-developing with Linde Engineering will play a key role in realizing our objectives."

John van der Velden, Senior Vice President Global Sales & Technology at Linde Engineering, said, “Effective ammonia cracking technology supports the world’s urgent need for decarbonization. By completing the missing link in the export chain, cleaner energy can be shipped from regions with high renewable and clean energy potential to those with more limited resources. We look forward to working closely with Aramco to develop and commercialize this important technology, creating new business opportunities for Linde Engineering and Aramco."

We remind, Aramco on Sunday reported a record net income of USD161.1 billion for 2022 — the largest annual profit ever achieved by an oil and gas company. Aramco said net income increased 46.5 percent over the year, from USD110 billion in 2021. Free cash flow also reached a record USD148.5 billion in 2022, compared with USD107.5 billion in 2021.

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MOSCOW (MRC) -- NOVA Chemicals Corporation announced the establishment of NOVA Circular Solutions, a new line of business focusing on lower-emission, recycled solutions that will help reshape a better, more sustainable world. NOVA Circular Solutions will be home to the SYNDIGOTM brand, the company’s newest portfolio of recycled polyethylene (rPE), said the company.

NOVA Circular Solutions is led by a team of experts in plastics development, recycling technology, additive science, packaging design, and regulatory compliance. It is headed by Alan Schrob, recycling director, who has nearly 30 years of experience in plastics, manufacturing, health, safety, and the environment.

“Plastic products play a critical role in our daily lives, and industry and consumers are placing higher value on products that contribute to the circular economy. They want products that can be recycled, reused, and reimagined,” said John Thayer, NOVA Chemicals senior vice president of sales and marketing. “Today’s announcement underscores NOVA’s commitment to be a leader in sustainable polyethylene production. We are investing time, resources, and world-class technical knowledge into this new line of business and the SYNDIGO brand.”

SYNDIGO rPE is designed to support recycled content and decarbonization goals of converters and brands while setting new industry standards for driving the transition towards a circular economy for plastics. There is a growing demand for recycled products and the SYNDIGO resins are poised to meet those needs in North America.

We remind, NOVA Chemicals, a leading supplier of polyethylene (PE) for food packaging, delivered a commercialized FDA-compliant high-density recycled PE (rPE) resin to market. The new grade is its first mechanically recycled food-contact resin and is part of the Company’s recently announced SYNDIGO rPE portfolio.

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MOSCOW (MRC) -- Worley, a global project delivery and asset services provider, has been selected by Cerilon, a Canadian-based energy and resource development company, to provide engineering services for the FEL 2 stage of Cerilon’s gas-to-liquids (GTL) facility in North Dakota, U.S., said Hydrocarbonprocessing.

This GTL facility will convert natural gas to produce up to 24,000 bpd of low carbon emissions, synthetic energy products, including ultra-low sulfur diesel, naphtha and lubricant base oils. With new mandates expected in the U.S. on transportation fuels, the production of these liquids will help meet high demand and assist with the country’s low carbon objectives.

The GTL facility will also include carbon capture and sequestration (CCS), to further enhance the project’s sustainability. The overall plan for the project is to adopt a design one, build many approach. This modularization methodology is one that Worley has considerable experience in, with customers leveraging this approach to enable a quick response time to market.

Worley’s global expertise and capacity to provide full EPC services were key drivers in Cerilon’s decision to select the company as its engineering partner. Rhys Mersereau, SVP of Operations, Worley, stated, “This energy transition project directly aligns with our purpose of delivering a more sustainable world. With escalating future energy demand and concerns for energy security at the forefront of our mind, the production of these low carbon energies will be crucial as we navigate towards net zero."

Cerilon’s strategy is to replicate this major GTL facility in other sites across North America, with speed – achieved through modularization – and sustainability as the main drivers. Ron Opperman, CEO of Cerilon GTL, notes, “Cerilon GTL intends to adopt a design one – build many approach and the Worley team has the GTL experience and global reach that we were looking for in an engineering partner. Their capability to provide full engineering, procurement, and construction services and to support other important elements of our project design such as CCS makes them the right fit for our team."

We remind, an agreement has been reached with CAM Industrial Solutions LLC (CAM Industrial), whereby Worley will sell its maintenance and turnaround business in North America, which is part of Worley's Americas Field Services, for a cash consideration of USD 125 million (approximately AUD180 million), said the company. Worley's construction and fabrication business in North America is not included in the sale. The sale also includes Worley's power operations and maintenance business. The transaction is subject to regulatory approval and customary closure conditions and is expected to close in the second half of FY2023.

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MOSCOW (MRC) -- Evonik's Coating Additives business line is expanding its TEGO® Flow series with an efficient polyacrylate-based leveling agent. TEGO® Flow 380 is suitable for solventborne coatings, especially clear coats, said the company.

It is characterized by excellent anti-popping properties and good compatibility. The main applications are automotive and general industrial coatings.

TEGO Flow 380 consists of 100 percent active matter content and is based on a unique polymer technology. “The key here is controlled incompatibility,” explained Maximilian Morin, head of the Industrial & Transportation Coatings market segment.

Some degree of incompatibility with the paint is important for leveling performance, but too much can cause surface defects such as decrease in gloss or haze. “With TEGO Flow 380, we have balanced the incompatibility well, resulting in an excellent performance,” said Morin. In addition, the new leveling agent supports recoatability, which is especially important for automotive refinish applications.

Because of its low viscosity, TEGO® Flow 380 is particularly easy to incorporate into the formulation. “It can be used directly; dilution is not necessary,” said Michael Wang, Applied Research & Technology - Industrial & Transportation Coatings.

In addition, the new product is particularly sustainable: for one thing, it shows excellent performance even at low dosages. For another, the leveling agent emits little VOC (Volatile Organic Compounds), which makes it attractive for high-solids formulations due to its very low viscosity impact.

We remind, Evonik is expanding its capacity to produce MetAMINO (DL-methionine) on Jurong Island, Singapore, by 40,000 metric tons to around 340,000 metric tons per year. The high double-digit million euro investment in this further technological development is to reach target capacity by the third quarter of 2024. The planned process optimization measures will improve the carbon footprint of MetAMINO® produced in Singapore by six percent.

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