KRONOS and Covestro demonstrate pigmented ink solutions for more sustainable textile printing

KRONOS, a leading provider of titanium dioxide pigments, and Covestro, a global leading manufacturer of high-quality polymers, are collaborating to demonstrate how innovative new material solutions can support the uptake of digital inkjet printing on fabrics, advancing the textile industry’s sustainability transition, said the company.

Following testing by the two raw material suppliers and validation by industry partners, the collaboration successfully demonstrates that Covestro’s waterborne INSQIN® portfolio of Impranil® polyurethane binders and Imprafix® cross-linkers is compatible with the white pigment dispersion KRONOS 9900 Digital White. No significant sedimentation was observed, and all formulations showed good stability even after four weeks of testing at 50°C.

As such, the proven compatibility of the four Covestro binders Impranil® DL 1602, Impranil® DL 1618, Impranil® DL 1620, and Impranil® DL 1623 with KRONOS 9900 Digital White is an exciting development, opening the door to increased uptake of inkjet fabric printing. Together, these ingredients create a suitable formulation for a reliable printing process.

We remind, Covestro is expanding its production capacities for thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) Films in the Platilon® range, as well as the associated infrastructure and logistics. To this end, the company is investing a low double-digit million euro amount in its German center of excellence for the aforementioned films in Bomlitz, Lower Saxony.

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AkzoNobel invests in coatings technology to support beverage can industry transition, said the company.

The beverage can industry’s ongoing efforts to move to products free from materials of concern are being boosted by the launch of next generation coatings technology from AkzoNobel – while a new production plant is also being constructed in Spain.

The company’s Packaging Coatings business has just launched the first two products in its new AccelstyleTM range. Designed for the exterior of conventional two-piece aluminum beverage cans, both are free from bisphenols, styrene and PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances). They follow on from the May 2023 launch of AccelshieldTM 700 – the first BPx-NI* (free of intentionally added bisphenols) internal coating for beverage can ends – which complies with US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and EU regulations.

At the same time, AkzoNobel is investing €32 million in a new plant at its Vilafranca site, which will produce bisphenol-free coatings for the metal packaging industry in EMEA (Europe, Middle East and Africa). The facility will use advanced automation and has been designed according to high eco-efficiency standards, enabling the company to make a step-change in energy and material efficiency. It’s expected to be operational by mid-2025 and will create around 40 jobs.

We remind, AkzoNobel launches industry’s first architectural powder coating that can be cured at temperatures as low as 150°C while still being Qualicoat class one certified. Curing at temperatures 30°C lower than traditional powder coatings means that Interpon D1036 Low-E can help customers cut energy consumption by as much as 20%.

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BASF, a global leader in the supply of additives to the coatings industry, has announced the expansion of defoamer capacity at its Dilovasi plant in Turkey, said the company.

The new production line increases the company’s capacity on site, allowing a better response to rising demand for high-performance Foamaster® and Foamstar® products in South-East Europe, the Middle East and Africa. By increasing its production capacity significantly, BASF will improve its service to customers in the region and reduce lead times to ensure faster delivery.

The new production line also helps BASF to cut emissions related to transportation of the products by significantly reducing distances.

The Dilovasi plant in Turkey plays an important role in BASF’s additives business, serving as a key supply point for Dispex® AA products, including defoamers. The recent expansion of the polyacrylic-dispersing-agent line and the now enlarged defoamer capacity further strengthen the plant’s role in BASF’s additives business.

“The additional capacity in Dilovasi enables us to support the growth plans of our customers in the region and improve our service level,” explained Joachim Burger, Head of Sales Additives EMEA. Defoamers are essential in the production of paints, coatings and inks since they prevent not only foaming but also, as a result, defect formation. BASF’s Foamaster® and Foamstar® products are well-known for their high performance in defoaming applications.

We remind, BASF, a globally leading battery materials producer, and SK On, a globally leading electric vehicle battery cell manufacturer, have entered into an agreement to jointly evaluate collaboration opportunities in the global lithium-ion battery market focused on North America and Asia-Pacific. The collaboration brings together strong business and product development capabilities to develop industry-leading battery materials for lithium-ion batteries.

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The European Parliament voted on Wednesday in favour of a new law aimed at reducing packaging waste and boosting recycling across the EU, said Euoroplast.

The legislation was overseen by Belgian MEP Frederique Ries (MR/Renew) and passed with 426 votes in favour, 125 against, and 74 abstentions.

The deputies stipulated additional goals beyond the 15% waste reduction proposed by the Commission by 2040. They also introduced specific objectives to reduce plastic waste by 10% by 2030, 15% by 2035, and 20% by 2040.

In addition, MEPs proposed a ban on the sale of lightweight plastic bags (less than 15 micrometres), with exceptions made for hygiene reasons or to prevent food wastage. They also introduced measures to limit the use of single-use plastics such as miniature bottles in hotels and shrink wrap for luggage at airports.

However, the Parliament decided not to ban single servings of sauces and condiments, disposable containers for food and drink at restaurants, or plastic packaging for fruits and vegetables.

The initial proposal from the Commission requires all packaging to be recyclable by 2030. MEPs granted temporary exemptions for wax and wooden packaging, which reassured some industrial cheese producers.

The approved law will also prohibit the inclusion of chemical substances such as PFAS and bisphenol A in food-contact packaging. "The Parliament is sending a strong message for a complete revision of the European packaging and packaging waste market," said Frederique Ries in a press release.

We remind, the total volume of packaging waste in the EU increased from 66 million metric tons (MMt) in 2009 to 84 MMt in 2021, according to the parliament. Each EU citizen generated 188.7 kilograms of packaging waste in 2021, a figure that is expected to increase to 209 kilograms in 2030 without additional measures.

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Diamines and Chemicals Limited has received a letter dated November 02, 2023 from Gujarat Pollution Control Board (GPCB) for Proposed Expansion of Synthetic Organic Chemicals in existing manufacturing unit, said Indianchemicalnews.

Diamines and Chemicals Limited at Plot No. 13, PCC Area, P.O. Petrochemicals, Vadodara-391350. The company received Consolidated Consent & Authorization (CC&A) for setting up Proposed Expansion of Synthetic Organic Chemicals in existing manufacturing unit of M/s. Diamines and Chemicals Limited.

Considering CC&A as final permission to manufacture new products and will contribute to increase in total production capacity.

Shares of DIAMINES & CHEMICALS LTD. was last trading in BSE at Rs. 469.25 as compared to the previous close of Rs. 456.25. The total number of shares traded during the day was 5666 in over 596 trades.

We remind, Russia has lifted restrictions on gasoline exports, the energy ministry said on Friday, after scrapping most restrictions on exports of diesel last month, saying there was a surplus of supply while wholesale prices had declined. It said it could reimpose export bans if necessary, adding that stocks of gasoline had risen to around 2 million metric tons.

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