Today's News
HEXPOL TPE extends hardness range of Mediprene A2 series of thermoplastic elastomers
Mediprene A2 TPEs bond to thermoplastics such as ABS, PC, PETG and SMMA in overmolding and coextrusion processing. This allows for the integration of features such as seals and grips in medical devices without the need to use adhesives or surface treatments.
AkzoNobel installs 3,551 solar panels at plant site in Poland
A major solar energy plant – AkzoNobel’s largest in Europe – has been installed at its Pilawa site in Poland, further powering the company’s efforts to transition all its production locations to renewable electricity.
Covering nearly three hectares (around the size of four football pitches), there are 3,551 solar panels, with an installed capacity of 1.9 MWp. They’ll provide nearly a quarter of the decorative paints facility’s electricity needs.
Kuraray acquires ISCC PLUS Certification
Kuraray Co., Ltd. announced that as of October 2024, six vinyl acetate-related products at four Group companies across four production bases in Europe and the United States have been certified under ISCC PLUS*1, an internationally recognized certification program for sustainable products. This marks the establishment of a certified supply chain in Europe and the United States starting with vinyl acetate monomer (VAM) produced at the U.S. La Porte Plant.
Celanese earned three awards at SPE
Celanese Corporation earned three category-winning awards at the 53rd annual Society of Plastics Engineers (SPE) Automotive Innovation Awards Competition and Gala in Livonia, Michigan.
Hytrel® TPC-ET, Zytel® PA66, and Celanex® PBT proved worthy of this year’s awards theme, “Power of Plastics,” and were featured in the following category-winning advanced mobility application
Bekaert selected for EU Innovation Fund grant to strengthen the green hydrogen value chain in Europe
Bekaert has been selected for funding of up to €23.6 million from the EU Innovation Fund 2023 for its project “GRAND PIANO”, securing clean tech manufacturing in Europe. The grant selection will facilitate essential product and process innovation for electrolysis stacks, the heart of green hydrogen production systems.
Hankook Tire showcased full range, from off-road to electric, at SEMA 2024
Hankook Tire & Technology (Hankook Tire) returned to the annual SEMA Show, the premier annual trade show for aftermarket automotive manufacturers taking place in Nevada, U.S., to demonstrate its comprehensive range of offerings.
Hankook’s flagship products in the U.S. – Dynapro, for SUV and off-road vehicles, and iON, its full line of tires specifically designed for electric vehicles (EVs) – are again at center stage to show the diversity of the leading tiremaker’s portfolio. In addition, Hankook’s brand-new Weatherflex all-weather family will be on display for the first time, and the Laufenn brand, which offers both performance and value, will underscore the variety of options available for consumers.
Featured Articles
Post IEC Daily
This follow-up to the 2024 International Elastomer Conference and Expo, held last month in Pittsburgh, PA, and published for the Rubber Division, ACS by Lippincott & Peto, Inc., includes photographs and summaries of IEC events, including the Rubber Division, ACS Service Award recipients, 2024 scholarship winners, the Experience Elastomers Student Outreach Program, nomination information for the Rubber Division, ACS 2026 Science & Technology Awards, 2024 exhibitors, and details on the Rubber Division, ACS Spring Technical Meeting.
Industry Spotlight
Samson Machinery
Samson Machinery Inc., one of the leading manufacturers of designing and manufacturing various tire building machines. Since 1975, Samson works in this filed for over 46 years. Samson provides full range of Tire Building machines, Band Building machines, and related parts for tire industry.
Mixing
Utilization of AI driven solutions for rubber compound formulation: A practical approach
The integration of artificial intelligence (AI) into various industrial sectors has spurred remarkable progress in the field of manufacturing process development. This concept has been extended to polymer compound formulations, where AI techniques have been used to optimize rubber formulations as well. Furthermore, it is conceivable that mixtures of other polymers, such as TPEs, thermoplastic materials or polyurethane compounds, could be similarly treated. Advantages of employing AI driven tools include reduced development time, enhanced efficiency and increased accuracy.
Chemicals and Materials
Prism Worldwide Raises $40 Million in Series A and A1 Funding Co-Led By Columbia Pacific Advisors And Former Costco CEO Jim Sinegal
Kirkland, WA – Prism Worldwide, a leader in innovative material solutions that is dedicated to advancing end-of-life tire recycling technology,
Extrusion
Enhancing extruded automotive door seals
Friction induced noise in automotive door seals is mitigated with highly durable water-based coatings having a low coefficient of friction.
Silicone & Medical
Rewritable, recyclable smart skin monitors biological signals on demand
Penn State researchers developed an adhesive sensing device that seamlessly attaches to human skin to detect and monitor the wearer’s health. The writable sensors can be removed with tape, allowing new sensors to be patterned onto the device.
Oil, Gas & Energy
Advanced perfluoroelastomers: The preferred sealing solution for oil and gas
The technology for sealing has considerably advanced since it was first developed in the late 1800s. It is crucial to
Testing & Instruments
Smithers invests in simulated on-vehicle acceleration testing machine in Suzhou laboratory
Smithers has announced that it has invested in a state-of-the-art simulated on-vehicle acceleration testing (SOVAT) machine. This new testing capability was recently launched at the Smithers Suzhou, China laboratory with full machine demonstrations and tire testing training for attendees.
The SOVAT machine is the result of working with vehicle and tire manufacturers to understand their tire testing pain points. On-vehicle tire testing can be time-consuming and inconsistent, driving the need for faster, more repeatable methods for treadwear, chip and chunk, road hazard endurance, and break-in testing. With the SOVAT machine, clients now have an indoor, repeatable option to conduct this testing, providing results in a fraction of the time.
Molding
Freudenberg Sealing Technologies advances the development of in-wheel motors with patented seal design
For Freudenberg Sealing Technologies the advantages of in-wheel motors (IWM) extend beyond the passenger car segment. The company offers a patented sealing geometry to support original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) and manufacturers of electric motors ranging from electric cars to commercial vehicles right at the development stage.
In-wheel motors for electric vehicles offer numerous benefits: Components such as transmissions, brakes, and suspensions can either move much closer to the point of power transmission or be completely eliminated. The decisive advantages of vehicles equipped with IWM include wheel-specific torque control, enhanced comfort and more design space within the vehicle. This results in a better driving experience, greater range and more flexibility for developers.
In-wheel motors are also interesting for buses due to their lower center of gravity, tighter turning radius and higher load capacity. They can also offer added value as a combined trailer drive for e-trucks or as a generator for refrigerated trailers with independent power supply.
Thermoplastic Elastomers & Urethanes
Unique features of plasticizer-free soft TPU made with bio-based polyol from 3-methyl-1,5-pentanediol and sebacic acid
by Shun Okura, Kunio Mayahara and Hoan Tran, Kuraray Thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) is a multiblock copolymer that consists of a
Latex and Natural Rubber
Condoms in sub-Saharan Africa: Quality requires responsible manufacturing with required independent testing
Unleached latex products (such as Choice brand condoms tested in this study that are manufactured in China and distributed by the Republic of South Africa to prevent the spread of AIDS and other sexually transmitted infections) pose a significant risk of sensitization with life threatening Type I latex allergy and to residual sensitizing chemicals.
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