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Scientists at the Department of Energy’s Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL) have designed a closed-loop path for synthesizing an exceptionally tough carbon-fiber-reinforced polymer (CFRP), and later recovering all of its starting materials.  CFRP is useful for reducing weight and increasing fuel efficiency of automobiles, airplanes, and spacecraft. However, conventional CFRPs are difficult to recycle. Most have been single-use materials, so their carbon footprint is significant. By contrast, ORNL’s closed-loop technology,…

Contract design and manufacturing organization (CDMO) Freudenberg Medical is set to expand its technological footprint in a big way. Company officials have broken ground on a $25 million facility that’s expected to begin operation in Costa Rica in early 2025.  The 100,000-square-foot building, which will be built over three years during two construction phases, reportedly will be dedicated to the assembly of high-volume minimally invasive catheters for electrophysiology, vascular, and…

SEE, formerly Sealed Air, has developed a bio-based, industrially compostable meat tray to replace expanded polystyrene (EPS) and polyethylene terephthalate (PET) trays on existing overwrappers with no changes to the equipment. The food-contact-grade tray was introduced at the recent International Product and Processing Expo, held January 30 to February 1, 2024, in Atlanta. The new Cryovac compostable overwrap tray is made from a resin that’s USDA-certified as having 54% bio-based…

Automakers are raising the bar for voltage systems in new energy vehicles (NEVs) from 400 to 800 V. According to Joule’s Law, the efficiency of an electric motor increases with a high-voltage system, thus improving driving range and reducing the cost of the battery. Under a high voltage, the motor and battery operate at a significantly higher temperature that requires better thermal management. This means plastics need to possess high…

Aviation analytics concern Cirium has published its 2023 Fleet Forecast, through the Cirium Ascend Consultancy, revealing that annual passenger aircraft deliveries are set to exceed a value of $100 billion in 2024. Airbus and Boeing will continue to dominate the commercial aircraft manufacturing space, with a combined delivery projection of 89% of all aircraft through to 2042. Cirium Ascend Consultancy Head Rob Morris said: “With global traffic almost back to…

Engineered materials and sustainable solutions provider Domo Chemicals has made a landmark breakthrough with its Technyl polyamides (PAs), drastically reducing coolant conductivity in hydrogen fuel-cell stacks. This innovation, supported by comprehensive testing, establishes Technyl as the premier choice for enhancing fuel-cell stack performance and durability. Historically, polyamides were not considered optimal for cooling circuits in hydrogen fuel-cell technology owing to concerns about ion leaching and increased coolant conductivity. However, Domo’s…

France’s Materi’act is setting up a joint venture in Dallas, TX, with PCR Recycling to accelerate the development and delivery of recycled compounds for sustainable automotive parts with up to 85% CO2 reduction by 2030. Materi’act is part of the Forvia group, France’s first- and the world’s seventh-largest automotive technology supplier. Tier I Faurecia is a sister company. Wojtek Zarzycki (left), CEO of PCR Recycling, and Materi’act President Rémi Daudin.…

Trinseo’s stock tumbled to an all-time low Tuesday after it reported a larger than expected fourth quarter adjusted loss and predicted another loss in the current quarter. The plastics manufacturer reported a net loss of $265 million, or $7.53 per share in the fourth quarter, compared to a net loss of $364 million, or $10.42 per share, in the previous year’s fourth quarter. Its current fourth quarter adjusted loss jumped…

Materials specialist and pioneer of fluorinated ethylene propylene (FEP) Peelable Heat-Shrink Tubing (PHST), Junkosha unveiled its latest catheter-based innovation at Medical Design and Manufacturing (MD&M) West in Anaheim, CA, last week. The 1.8:1 shrink ratio translucent PHST solution offers catheter manufacturers enhanced versatility to complete intricate bonding and welding applications, resulting in improved overall efficiencies, said Junkosha.  Junkosha’s newest PHST product is suited for the manufacture of interventional medical devices…

Kordsa, a global player in the tire, construction reinforcement, and composite technologies markets, has invested in BPREG, a company developing industrial biocomposites using organic fibers. This investment aims to extend Kordsa’s pioneering role in advanced materials for the biocomposite market, offering environmentally friendly alternatives to its customers. Domestic and international opportunities Kordsa’s investment in BPREG will not only contribute to the company’s growth but also open up opportunities to share…