Polyamide Sustainability – Türkiye is developing biodegradable agricultural films made from algae as a sustainable alternative to plastic, which is commonly used in farming but contributes to pollution and microplastic contamination in soil and water 15-10-2024
Polyamide Sustainability
Neveon, an Austrian foam producer within the Greiner group, has announced plans to close three sites in Germany due to challenging international market conditions
These closures will affect two production plants in Ebersbach and Burkhardtsdorf, along with an administrative office in Wiesbaden, impacting a total of 240 employees. The German locations in Dörfles-Esbach and Nürtingen will remain unaffected.
The company cited the global economic downturn and crises in key sectors like furniture, automotive, construction, and heating, which rendered the affected sites uncompetitive despite prior restructuring efforts. The closures are scheduled to be completed by mid-2026, with timelines subject to ongoing discussions with unions. Polyamide Sustainability
Despite the shutdowns, Neveon will continue to supply foam products to its customers from its other facilities. Neveon, founded by Greiner three years ago to focus on flexible and composite polyurethane foam production, operates across 55 locations.
In 2023, the company reported a turnover of 641 million euros and employed 2,800 people. Polyamide Sustainability
Earlier in the year, Neveon sold its automotive foam operations to the French Trèves Group, reflecting its strategic adjustments in response to market conditions.
Domo Chemicals Raises Polyamide Sustainability Profile at Fakuma
Mobility, fashion, packaging, and food and water safety are on the chemical company’s agenda at the upcoming plastics trade show in Germany.
Domo Chemicals is set to showcase a range of sustainable innovations at Fakuma 2024 (hall B4, booth 4216) this Oct. 15 to 19 in Friedrichshafen, Germany, spanning lightweighting in automotive to transforming discarded fishing nets into watches and eyewear. Sustainable polyamide (PA) solutions are supplied from ISCC+ certified plants in Germany, Poland, and Italy, and now also from its newest plant in Haiyan, China. This enables the company to offer environmentally friendly versions of its Domamid and Technyl PA 6 and 66 products through the mass balance method. Polyamide Sustainability
Lightweight solutions for mobility
The automotive industry is increasingly focusing on lightweighting to reduce emissions. In collaboration with Tier I parts maker Brano, Domo has developed a lightweight polyamide brake pedal for a heavy-duty truck, reducing the weight of the part by approximately 27% and the overall cost of the final component by some 60%. This innovation demonstrates the potential of Domo’s materials to replace metal in critical components.
Another exciting reveal at Fakuma is Technyl Lite, a groundbreaking PA-based unidirectional (UD) composite tape. Polyamide Sustainability
EuRIC calls for robust recycled plastics targets for the auto industry
The recycling advocacy group promotes high-level legislation for recycling plastics from end-of-life vehicles to support the EU’s plastics recycling industry
In order to ensure automotive circularity and to preserve the EU plastics recycling industry, EuRIC has called on legislators to maintain “a high level of ambition, and bring forward recycled content targets for plastics in vehicles”.
The ongoing discussions on the End-of-Life Vehicles Regulation (ELVR), must address the fact that currently an average of 80 percent of ELV plastics are either landfilled or incinerated, says the association. Polyamide Sustainability
EuRIC believes that mandatory recycled content targets are essential to bridge vehicles’ design with their end-of-life processing, stimulate demand for circular and low-carbon materials, and prevent material losses that jeopardize Europe’s “green and clean industrial transition”.
Plastic recyclers are struggling to remain viable due to low demand and prices, according to the association. Setting ambitious targets for recycled plastics in vehicles will boost demand and re-incentivize investments in the EU plastic recycling sector, it says, and “Recycled content targets of 25 percent, of which 25 percent are closed-loop, provide the best-cost-benefit balance, avoid excessive costs and supply shortages, and offer certainty for manufacturing planning.” Polyamide Sustainability
RadiciGroup at Fakuma 2024: speeding up sustainability solutions
Complementing its RENYCLE range of engineering polyamides made from recycled nylon, at Fakuma 2024 (Friedrichshafen, Germany, 15-19 October 2024 – Hall A1 Stand 1106), RadiciGroup launches BIONSIDE, a line of bio-based products comprising innovative engineering polymers obtained from renewable source raw materials. The new BIONSIDE offering of bio-based grades is part of the Radilon® family of products and includes both the products being sold under the Radilon® D (PA610) brand and the ones currently undergoing testing (PA56 – PA510 – PA1012). Polyamide Sustainability
The choice of bio-sourced materials represents a strong commitment to reducing fossil fuel dependency, as well as product environmental impact and CO₂ emissions. Thanks to their chemical conformation, the polyamides made from renewable source materials feature high technical characteristics, which make them suitable for many applications.
In line with the Group sustainability strategy, RadiciGroup High Performance Polymers wants to make available genuinely innovative proposals that meet stringent technical requirements yet safeguard the environment and people, so as to meet the demand of its customers, who, in turn, are attentive to reducing the environmental impact of the value chain. Polyamide Sustainability
Türkiye is developing biodegradable agricultural films made from algae as a sustainable alternative to plastic, which is commonly used in farming but contributes to pollution and microplastic contamination in soil and water
Traditional plastic films, used for mulching and slow-release fertilizers, are widespread in agriculture, with 12.5 million tons consumed globally in 2019, according to the World Economic Forum.
Over time, these plastics degrade into harmful microplastics, threatening both environmental and human health. Poor management and collection of plastic waste in agriculture further exacerbate this issue. As awareness grows, the demand for eco-friendly alternatives is increasing. Polyamide Sustainability
Palgae, a Turkish company co-founded by biotechnologist Eylul Er, has developed a biodegradable film from algae to address this problem. In an interview with Anadolu Agency, Er emphasized the high levels of microplastic pollution in Türkiye’s agricultural lands, with 12,500 particles per square meter, largely from plastic films.
“Farmers use petroleum-based plastic films to protect crops, balance soil moisture, and shield plants from pests,” said Er.
“However, once these films degrade, they cannot be reused, becoming non-recyclable waste and contaminating the soil with microplastics.” Polyamide Sustainability
Biodegradable algae-based films offer a promising solution, reducing plastic waste and protecting ecosystems, paving the way for a more sustainable approach to agriculture.
Aetherflux’s Revolutionary Space Solar Energy Project
Aetherflux, an ambitious startup founded by Baiju Bhatt (co-founder of Robinhood), is set to transform the space solar industry. Announced on October 9, the project has attracted significant attention in the renewable energy and space sectors.
The company’s innovative approach involves using a modular system of satellites in low Earth orbit to collect solar energy and transmit it to Earth via infrared lasers. This method differs from earlier space solar concepts, which relied on large arrays in geostationary orbit and energy transmission via microwaves.
Bhatt believes this modular approach allows for gradual development rather than the “all or nothing” strategy of past projects. Polyamide Sustainability
Aetherflux aims to launch its first demonstration satellite by early 2026. This “kilowatt-class” satellite will transmit power to a 10-meter area on the ground. The company plans to expand the satellite constellation over time, focusing initially on military applications, such as providing power to remote forward bases.
Self-funded by Bhatt with $10 million, Aetherflux operates with fewer than 10 employees and is pursuing a “crawl, walk, run” approach to technological development. Despite skepticism expressed in a recent NASA report regarding the economic viability of space-based solar power, space solar advocates remain optimistic, especially given advances in reducing launch costs.
A new study backed by organizations like the National Space Society promises a more favorable outlook on the future of space solar power. Polyamide Sustainability
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