Sustainable Plastics - May/June 2022 - 14

newsround
biodegradable non-fossil alternative to
single-use plastic that is suitable for hot
drink applications. This year will first feature
PROTĒAN technology in a coffee lid
for Sweden's MAX Burgers quick-service
restaurant chain. Other Dry Molded Fiber
applications such as hot cups lids and takeaway
items will follow and will be available
for PulPac licensees. PulPac's technology
has pioneered fiber forming, making it
possible to manufacture paper packaging
without wasting valuable water resources
or energy and significantly reducing CO2,
at unit economy that is very competitive.
Combined with HSMG's barrier chemistry
solutions, the technology looks set to replace
single-use disposable plastics in a
host of application in the short term.
Maip Group announces new
sustainable polymers for
European automotive market
Maip Group, a
leading international
plastics
formulator
and compound
producer, has
the announced
the introduction
by Maip
Compounding
of Cherbio, its
new product
Maip's new Cherbio materials
developed specifically for
automotive applications
family targeted at the automotive market.
The mass-balanced materials are produced
based on Eastman's proven molecular recycling
technologies. With molecular recycling,
hard-to-recycle waste is broken down
into its molecular building blocks and reassembled
to become first-quality material
without any compromise in performance.
With the technology's inherent efficiencies
and the renewable energy sources available
in France, where Eastman is building a facility
that is scheduled for mechanically completion
in 2025, materials can be produced
with greenhouse gas emissions up to 80%
less than traditional methods.
The new Cherbio, chemical recycling biobased,
family will offer a range of aesthetic
and functional products specifically formulated
with a wide range of colors and special
effects.
Lighter, sustainable
honeycomb technology with
natural fibres
Honeycomb sandwich producer EconCore
and flax fibre specialist Flaxco have collaborated
on the development and manufacture
of a sandwich panel marrying EconCore's
thermoplastic honeycomb technology with
Flaxco's flax fibre technology.
The polypropylene honeycomb cores
produced by EconCore offer a high-per14
May/June
2022
Lighter and more sustainable
with natural fibres
Photo: EconCore
formance-to-weight ratio along
with efficient energy absorption.
In order to generate high level
of stiffness, sandwich cores
require surface layers, like the
neatly woven flax fabric composite
skins that Flaxco have
the means to create. Once created,
the panels can be thermoformed
thanks to their thermoplastic
properties. This is
typically done by means of short
cycle compression moulding.
Flax fibres are 100% natural
fibres that produce lower CO2
levels than competitor materials,
including glass and carbon fibres, an
increasingly important element within the
automotive industry. Furthermore, research
and testing are already underway for the
material to find its place within the sports
industry.
With high levels of cost efficiency compared
to more conventional materials, the
new Flaxco composite is expected to be the
material of choice in a number of applications,
especially those requiring dimensional
stability. The new material aims to not
only be used in new markets and applications
but also replace non-sustainable materials
already in use.
Sustainability
Carbon neutrality in the
composite industry
Aeronix Technologies, which supplies vacuum
infusion processing materials, equipment
and technical support to the UK
composites industry, is launching a new
range of carbon-neutral consumable products.
The range of fabrics, films, meshes,
tubing and fittings are manufactured from
different types of plastics, opening up
more sustainable options for the disposal
of consumable products. This initiative
is an industry first for the UK composites
market to help reduce CO2 emissions.
The launch of an alternative choice of carAeronix
launches a new range of carbon-neutral
consumable products
bon-neutral consumables is the first stage
of a 'Sustainable Industry' program that
will be rolled out by Aeronix Technologies
over the next 12 months.
The new range of carbon-neutral composites
consumables for vacuum infusion,
vacuum-assisted resin transfer moulding
and prepreg laminating includes, among
others, vacuum bagging films, infusion
resin flow meshes, release films, peel plies
and plastic infusion tubing, spiral wrap
and associated fittings. Carbon neutrality
is achieved for the new environmentally
friendly consumables range by a combination
of improved sourcing and manufacture
with the lowest carbon footprint currently
possible and offsetting the balance
to be net zero. The calculated remaining
carbon footprint for the range is being offset
through earning 'carbon credits' per
tonne of CO2 from contributing to carbon
offset projects. An independent study
commissioned by Aeronix Technologies
investigated and calculated the carbon
emissions (in kg CO2/ 100 sq. m or kg of
material) for each of the peel plies, plastic
fabrics, textiles, vacuum bags, release
films and plastic fitting products used by
composites moulders. A +10% offset value
safety margin allowance for each product
type is being used by Aeronix Technologies
to ensure sufficient offsetting to be net zero.
Sustainable Plastics - May/June 2022

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