pecialty Silicone Products (SSP) is announcing a new EMI/RFI silicone, SSP502-55LT, that meets ASTM E595 low outgassing test requirements and withstands temperatures as low as -70°C. Applications for this shielding elastomer include the high-vacuum, low-temperature environment of outer space, where released gases from EMI gaskets can condense upon and cloud sensitive optics.

The Digital Solutions Center in Bari celebrates one year of activity with the announcement of further growth in the Apulia region, where from 2025 the number of employees will rise to 80 compared with THE 50 originally expected. Today, Pirelli’s digital center, born of the cooperation and commitment of the public sector, private industry and the academic world already counts 30 employees mainly from the Apulia region. To build the Digital Solutions Center, Pirelli has so far invested about 4.5 million euro of the 9 million euro originally earmarked through 2024, part of which will be financed by the Apulia region based on projects already completed.

Dr. Hyekyoung Choi and Min Ju Yun’s research team from the Energy Conversion Materials Research Center, Korea Electrotechnology Research Institute (KERI), has developed a technology that can increase the flexibility and efficiency of a thermoelectric generator to the world’s highest level by using “mechanical metamaterials” that do not exist in nature. The research results were published in Advanced Energy Materials.

Specialty Silicone Products (SSP) announced that Bobbie Jo Bailey has joined their team as Quality Control (QC) Lab Leader. She’s currently learning about SSP’s manufacturing processes and laboratory test equipment as she connects with colleagues and masters her new role.

Before joining SSP, Bobbie Jo worked for Saint-Gobain Performance Plastics in Granville, New York for 20 years. There, she worked in Manufacturing, spent six years in QC, and then worked in Quality Assurance/Document Control for five years.

HEXPOL has acquired 100% of the shares in the American TPE Compounder Star Thermoplastic Alloys and Rubbers, Inc. (“Star Thermoplastics”) from Thomas A. Dieschbourg. Through the acquisition, HEXPOL establishes presence on the growing American TPE market. Thomas A. Dieschbourg founded the company in 1993 and has developed the company into a technically advanced TPE company. Thomas A. Dieschbourg will remain as the President of the company.

According to Future Market Insights (FMI) and a recent market analysis, the worldwide zinc carbonate industry is expected to grow at a 3.8% CAGR between 2022 and 2032. ZnCO3, or zinc carbonate, is an inorganic chemical. It is also referred to as zinc spar, calamine, or smithsonite. White, crystalline, insoluble zinc carbonate is a powder or solid. It is utilized in many different products, including fertilizers, cosmetics, and medications. It comes in several grades, such as technical grade and pharma & food grade, depending on how it will be used.