Avery Dennison Becomes First Label Manufacturer to Enable Rigid Plastic Recycling Across Its Film Portfolio With Next Generation Ad Cleanflak Technology
As brands and converters seek solutions to increase the circularity of plastic packaging, Avery Dennison Label and Packaging Materials has removed a key obstacle to plastic recycling with the introduction of next generation AD CleanFlake technology. Already a leader in enabling recycling for PET plastics, this breakthrough innovation now extends the benefits of CleanFlake technology to our core film portfolio, combining with our HDPE recycling compatibility. With the next generation AD CleanFlake Portfolio, Avery Dennison becomes the first label manufacturer to enable rigid plastic recycling across its film portfolio, providing brands and converters solutions that support recycling processes without compromising performance to meet sustainability goals.
AD CleanFlake technology is recognized by the Association of Plastic Recyclers, European PET Bottle Platform and RecyClass, for enabling recycling by working with the rigid plastic recycling processes to either remove cleanly (PET) or stay with the package (HDPE), resulting in good quality flakes, the conservation of virgin resources, and less landfill waste. The AD CleanFlake Portfolio delivers these benefits for both PET and HDPE plastics, creating the potential to divert over 200 billion rigid plastic bottles and containers from landfills.
“This is an important step forward in using innovation to advance the circular packaging economy without compromising performance,” said Pascale Wautelet, Vice President Global R&D, Avery Dennison Label and Graphic Materials. “Brands are actively seeking solutions to help them advance their sustainability initiatives and our AD CleanFlake Portfolio significantly expands the applications for this groundbreaking technology.”
The AD CleanFlake technology goes beyond enabling recycling by delivering outstanding performance on adhesion, clarity, and conversion. For converters, the adhesive features excellent water whitening and bleeding resistance. Brands benefit from striking print quality that supports bold designs and contributes to shelf appeal.
AD CleanFlake will be available in Europe in September and North America by the end of the year. For more information on the AD CleanFlake Portfolio, visit label.averydennison.com/cleanflake.
Guardian Glass Focuses on Service Innovations at Glasstec 2022
Guardian Glass is set to showcase a clear customer service focus at glasstec 2022 (Hall 10, stand A38). Glasstec, the world’s leading event for the glass industry, opens its doors in Düsseldorf, Germany, 20-23 September.
Spearheading this will be the announcement of new online innovations to support Guardian’s reputation for customer service. Including a new Resource Hub that will offer both customers and the wider glass community a wealth of technical information. It will also feature a new Customer Service Portal to streamline communications and processes – allowing customers to easily check product availability, place an order and track deliveries via the portal – 24 hours a day. Along with the ability to contact Guardian at any time with requests and queries.
In addition, the hub will include a new online Training Center to help customers learn more about glass. This features a variety of interactive tools and resources – including video-based tutorials, accredited modules, live webinars and in-person sessions booked online.
Andrew Wilkins, Managing Director, Global Branding & Communications at Guardian Industries, comments: “Our new, 24/7, Customer Service Portal will offer customers a new and more convenient way of working. In addition to easy, transparent ordering, customers can raise requests, obtain a quote, order samples and track delivery at any time. By making our interactions smoother, we can make the most of the future together.”
A selection of Guardian’s innovative glass products from across the globe will also be on display. In Europe this includes SunGuard eXtraSelective SNX 70, with outstanding solar control and light transmission approaching 70%. For the Africa & Middle East region SunGuard SuperNeutral SN Carbon 50 T has been developed to answer growing demand for performance glass with a stylish, neutral grey appearance. Whilst in North America, new SunGuard SNR 50 combines crisp neutrality on the exterior with reduced 0.25 solar heat gain and 48% light transmission on the interior – to create bright, inviting spaces.
One section of the stand will also show how to view coated glass samples, in order to make more informed choices when specifying – an initiative that reinforces Guardian’s engagement to service levels.
Further, Guardian will take the opportunity to demonstrate a commitment to address environmental challenges with a focus on Environmental Stewardship. This includes seminars on tangible ways to help the sector achieve sustainability goals, with key speakers from the industry, and beyond, helping to develop a clear consensus. This will include presentations on aspects such as Bird Friendly solutions, sustainable construction and LEED projects. The stand will also bring to life the importance of taking a holistic approach across the lifecycle of glass, via an interactive Environmental Stewardship Wall.
Whether it’s expanding knowledge, highlighting product innovation, or exploring the path to sustainability, Guardian Glass’ presence at glasstec 2022 will encourage us all to See What’s Possible.
For further information before and during the show, Guardian Glass at glasstec.
SONGWON Industrial Group Reports Strong Q2 Financial Results
Q2/2022 consolidated sales amounted to 342,735 Million KRW
Revenue in Q2/202 increased by 47.7% over Q2/2021
In Q2/2022, the gross profit margin was 1.1%-points higher than Q2/2021
Ulsan, South Korea SONGWON Industrial Group today released its financial results for the 2nd quarter. Building on the positive momentum of Q1/2022, the Group achieved consolidated sales of 342,735 Million KRW during Q2/2022 which when compared to Q2/2021, marked a 47.7% rise in revenue. The Group’s YTD June 2022 sales revenues (681,168 Million KRW) increased by 49.8% over the June YTD sales generated in 2021 (454,578 Million KRW). During the 6 months of 2022, the Group realized a gross profit margin increase of 5.2%-points to 25.5% compared to June YTD 2021.
In Million KRW
2022
Q2
2021
(restated)
∆%
2022
YTD June
2021
(restated)
∆%
Sales
342,735
232,091
47.7%
681,168
454,578
49.8%
Gross profit
74,567
48,139
54.9%
173,931
92,445
88.1%
Gross profit margin
21.8%
20.7%
25.5
20.3%
Operating profit
54,258
21,737
149.6%
111,453
39,080
185.2%
EBITDA
62,902
30,210
108.2%
128,682
56,341
128.4%
EBITDA margin
18.4%
13.0%
18.9%
12.4%
EBIT
54,643
22,048
147.8%
112,173
35,322
217.6%
EBIT margin
15.9%
9.5%
16.5%
7.8%
Profit for the period
38,670
14,973
158.3%
82,097
24,137
240.1%
After a positive start to the year and a strong 1st quarter, SONGWON Industrial Group recorded sound business performance across the Divisions in the 2nd quarter of 2022. Division Industrial Chemicals and Division Performance Chemicals observed high levels of demand Q2/2022 which resulted in another solid quarter with higher profitability and returns.
In line with expectations, global demand remained strong for Division Industrial Chemicals in Q2/2022 resulting in consolidated sales of 260,406 Million KRW (Q2/2021: 175,711 Million KRW) and for the first six months of the year, the Division achieved sales of 509,271 Million KRW (YTD June 2021: 339,698 Million KRW). When compared to Q2 and YTD June 2021, the result marks an increase in revenue of 48.2% and 49.9% respectively. The overall sound result was partly driven by increases in global forecasted volumes on the back of customers aiming to offset potential logistics delays and competitor-related supply issues and also positively impacted by favorable FX developments in all regions.
SONGWON’s key business Polymer Stabilizers recorded higher sales despite being negatively affected by lockdowns across Asia and the conflict between Russia and the Ukraine. Fuel and Lubricant Additives also performed strongly, benefiting from customers ordering ahead of normal patterns to counteract logistics delays. As expected, the 2nd quarter of the year was strong for Coatings due to the high demand in Europe, the US and Korea, ongoing industry recovery and the effectiveness of the implemented price increases.
Division Performance Chemicals also performed strongly in the 2nd quarter, registering a 46.0% growth in revenue (Q2/2022: 82,329 Million KRW) compared to Q2/2021 (56,380 Million KRW). YTD June 2022, the Division achieved a 171,897 Million KRW, marking a 49.6% increase in sales compared to YTD June 2021 (114,880 Million KRW). Throughout the 2nd quarter, Division Performance Chemicals also benefited from strong global demand and previously implemented price increases. Tin Intermediates sales were in line with maximum plant output and the price of tin metal rose early in the quarter but dropped back later in the quarter. During Q2/2022, high logistical costs continued to limit PVC sales outside Asia but price increases had a positive impact on profitability. Despite lower volumes, Solution Polyurethanes and Thermoplastic Polyurethanes reported an increase in revenue due to price increases. TPU sales in the wire and cable market increased on the back of the strong demand coming from EMEA, NEA and the US.
Looking forward to the 2nd half of the year and the many uncertainties such as the geopolitical risks, the volatile macroeconomic environment, inflationary pressures, logistical issues, material shortages and the ongoing pandemic, it is not possible to accurately predict what the coming months will bring. SONGWON anticipates that the current high demand for raw materials will continue in the coming months as the global situation continues to push market prices upwards. Amid the current uncertainty, SONGWON will continue closely monitoring global developments and demand levels while following its penetration strategy in key target markets. Based on its strong YTD June results, SONGWON is confident that with its solid business foundation it can continue to reliably supply customers and navigate any emerging challenges.
Instant Adhesives Upgraded With New Raw Materials and Uncompromised Performance
In response to regulatory change requirements and industry demand for safer assembly solutions, henkel has exchanged certain raw materials in selected products in its loctite range of instant adhesives in line with these new regulatory classification requirements. Spearheaded by the introduction of the new ultra-performance cyanoacrylate adhesive, loctite 402, this initiative combines raw materials that comply with the latest regulatory requirements and the high quality and reliability synonymous with the loctite brand.
This has been achieved without compromising any of the key properties that have come to define the loctite instant adhesive range including fast fixture times, high bond strength, material versatility, and temperature resistance. And the result is a comprehensive range of instant adhesives and accelerators that will allow industry to take full advantage of the technology’s potential to simplify design, improve reliability and increase productivity while also enhancing occupational safety through a reduction of hazardous substances.
New and upgraded instant adhesives
Several instant adhesive ingredients have come under greater regulatory scrutiny in select regions of the world. Two of these are hydroquinone (hq) and 2.2’-methylenebis (4-methyl-6-tert-butylphenol) – also known as mmbp – whose primary role is to ensure the adhesive remains liquid in the bottle for the duration of its shelf life.
Although these were present in very small amounts in the original formulations, responding to regulatory change requirements and industry demand, henkel developed a novel stabiliser package which has allowed hq and mmbp to be removed from the formulas for the most widely used products in its loctite instant adhesive range.
Initially six instant adhesives have been formulated without hq and mmbp, with additional product upgrades planned in the near future. Collectively they allow for the rapid bonding of a wide variety of materials including metals, plastics, elastomers, wood, paper, leather, and fabric. All are suitable for manual application or automated and robotic dispensing for which henkel offers a comprehensive selection of equipment.
Top of the range is loctite 402, a new addition to henkel’s instant adhesive portfolio. This ultra-performance, fast-setting instant adhesive provides reliable performance up to 135°c. Next is the universal instant bonder loctite 401, a medium viscosity product that provides high shear strength on a wide range of materials. And then, loctite 406, a low viscosity formulation, ideal for small bond line gaps and close-fitting assemblies.
Loctite 454 is ideal for applications calling for a non-drip instant adhesive for use on porous or vertical surfaces, and for gap-filling on various materials the range includes loctite 3090 and loctite 3092, unique two-part instant adhesives. Completing henkel’s upgraded instant adhesive offering is loctite 495, a general-purpose adhesive for the fast bonding of a wide range of materials.
Upgraded accelerators
Complementing the upgraded loctite instant adhesives are upgraded accelerators used to achieve optimal performance in specific situations such as low humidity environments or when bonding to acidic substrates. They no longer contain certain actively added chemicals that have been subject to recent safety reclassification and, as with the adhesives, this has been achieved without compromising performance.
Now available in the loctite instant component bonding range are upgraded loctite sf7452 and loctite sf7455, accelerators that can be pre- or post-applied to increase cure speed of instant adhesives.
These across-the-range upgrades provide the assurance that customers can continue to benefit from the performance advantages of loctite adhesive technology improving workplace safety by complying with the recent safety reclassification through a reduction of hazardous substances.
Clariant at K: Discover Additives for Plastics to Address E-mobility Challenges
Visit k 2022 hall 8a booth j11 for flame retardants and functionality-boosting additives to advance reusable, recyclable plastics that reduce weight, emissions & help maximize electric vehicle range
Explore halogen-free flame retardants for polyamide and thermoplastic components & thermoset-based lightweight battery housings
Discover clariant’s iscc plus certified biomass-based terra portfolio
We’re part of project revolution driving materials reuse, recycling & reduced co2 footprint
Contribute to e-mobility’s evolution. At k 2022, discover clariant’s additive solutions to support plastics in meeting key e-mobility challenges as the automotive industry seeks to safely extend battery range and charging performance, achieve significant materials reuse and recycling, and decrease carbon footprint (hall 8a booth j11).
“We’re working closely with the automotive value chain to validate our advanced additive technologies for plastics and to progress their focus on weight optimization, sustainable, recyclable materials, and co2 reduction alongside performance and safety needs. We’re looking forward to new collaborations with k 2022 visitors around our flame retardants and performance additives that will unlock e-mobility developments for this industry’s sustainable transformation across design and production,” comments nicola lelli, head of additives’ strategic marketing at clariant.
Support for sustainable e-mobility plastics includes new applications for clariant’s trusted halogen-free flame retardants in polyamide and thermoplastic material-based solutions, with iscc plus certified renewable raw materials-based options now also available to lower fossil carbon dependency and improve product co2 emissions. These belong to the “terra” family of certified products that offer like-for-like drop-in alternatives to manufacturers.
Faster charging using lower greenhouse gas-emitting flame retardants
The trend for charging at higher voltages to make charging faster is creating the need for battery and charging infrastructure materials offering higher tracking resistance and flame retardancy.
Manufacturers of high voltage connectors, busbars or battery housings can now use a new terra version of exolitop1400, clariant’s patent-protected, widely-used halogen-free flame retardant for polyamides, to help achieve industry goals towards faster charging and lower greenhouse gas-emitting materials. Exolit op terra enables polyamide materials to pass strict fire safety standards like underwriters’ laboratories (ul) 94 v0 in combination with the comparative tracking index (cti) of 600v according to iec 60112 / astmd 3638 standards.
The ecotain certified exolit op solutions produced at clariant’s iscc plus certified site in knapsack, germany are available as mass-balance certified products. Like their fossil carbon-based counterparts, the terra grades have little impact on recyclability of the material and therefore technically support proper automotive waste management with the added benefit of reduced co2 footprint. Clariant is currently constructing a new production facility in daya bay, china, to meet rapidly growing demand from e-mobility and the e&e component and equipment industries in china and asia.
Create lightweight battery housing with sustainable flame-retarded thermoset composites
Halogen-free exolit ap flame retardants are advancing the shift from metal to low density, high strength thermoset composites to achieve significantly lighter battery housings capable of meeting the stringent fire safety standards of electric vehicles. Batteries need special protection in the event of a vehicle fire or thermal run-away of the electrical cells.
Clariant offers three grades – exolit ap 462, ap 740 and ap 742 – that enable epoxy or unsaturated polyester-based composites to comply with flame retardant standards of ece r100 and gb 38031-2020.
Optimize plastics to maximize ev range and end-of-life vehicle recovery
Meet the team at k to discuss optimizing key vehicle plastic components such as pp rear bumpers, pp interiors such as instrument panels and door panels, and also various engineering plastic parts to extend electric vehicle range and support end-of-life vehicle recovery and sustainability goals.
In addition, clariant is excited to be part of the 3-year eu-funded revolution project, aimed at developing lightweight car parts and increasing circularity by facilitating the recycling of materials and use of recycled polymers. The additives’ team is helping to validate and develop solutions that push plastic materials beyond current performance and sustainability boundaries and help to meet minimum recycling targets for plastics components in vehicles as expected in the upcoming eu legislation. Solutions from clariant include additives for maintaining high quality polymer recyclate and for increasing recycled content in finished lightweight recyclable parts.
For more information on clariant’s featured sustainable additives for e-mobility plastics and new developments for wider automotive application visit the team at k 2022 at booth j11 hall 8a.
Sabic, Through Its Joint Venture Company, Sabic SK Nexlene Company (SSNC), Expands Capacity of Korea Nexlene Plant for Advanced Polyolefin Material Solutions
Capacity expansion at joint venture plant in ulsan to go on-stream in q2 of 2024 to leverage its nexlene technology for the production of advanced polyolefin materials including cohere pop, supeer mlldpe, and fortify poe
Growing demand for nexlene based polyolefin solutions expected e.G. In differentiated high-end market segments of photovoltaics, new mobility, footwear and advanced packaging solutions
Expansion supports sabic’s 2025 growth agenda to increase operational efficiency, create synergies and strengthen product offerings in its petrochemicals business
A global leader in the chemicals industry, has announced that its sabic sk nexlene company (ssnc) joint venture with sk geo centric (formerly sk global chemicals) in south korea will expand the capacity of their plant in ulsan for production of advanced material solutions using nexlene technology. The plant, operated by korea nexlene company (knc), supports the production of sabic’s broad portfolio of cohere metallocene polyolefin plastomers (pop), supeer metallocene linear low density polyethylenes (mlldpe) and fortify polyolefin elastomers (poe).
The capacity expansion will become operational in the second quarter of 2024 to meet a growing demand for nexlene based polyolefin solutions in several differentiated high-end market segments. Target applications include encapsulant film for use in photovoltaics, enabling energy transition, as well as innovations in new mobility, lighter weight & resilient footwear applications and enhanced packaging solutions to reduce food wastage.
Sami al-osaimi, vice president of pe & sales, sabic, and board chairman for ssnc said, “we have identified a strong trend towards customized and high-performance polyolefins, especially metallocene polyethylene materials, in several important new technology markets.” he added, “our cohere pop, supeer mlldpe and fortify poe polymers are ideally positioned to meet the needs of our global customers for enhanced toughness, flexibility, elasticity, heat-sealing properties, and optical properties, amongst others. The knc plant capacity increase will provide the operational efficiency to boost the growth of these nexlene based materials. At the same time, it will give us a significant competitive edge to strengthen the market penetration of our brands.”
The innovative nexlene technology combines a bimodal solution process with a proprietary metallocene catalyst to yield state-of-the-art ethylene copolymers with tailored molecular weight distribution and modality.
INEOS Styrolution Receives Recyclass Certification for Its Recycled Abs Grades
The certification is valid for mechanically recycled Terluran ECO MR [1] and Novodur ECO MR grades
The certification confirms the post-consumer origin of the used waste
Applications based on Terluran ECO MR and Novodur ECO MR will be shown at the K fair 2022
INEOS Styrolution, the global leader in styrenics, has today announced that its sustainable mechanically recycled ECO grades have received RecyClass certification. The Recycled Plastics Traceability certification, which is valid for Terluran ECO MR as well as Novodur ECO MR grades, confirms the post-consumer origin of the waste used in the production of the respective products.
The newly-obtained RecyClass certification now “guarantees the origins and traceability of recycled material and uses the percentage-based recycled content calculation approach that is verified throughout the entire value chain. This is ensured via the Chain of Custody ISO 22095 as well as the Recycled Plastics EN 15353:2006 standards, on which the certification is based. The transparency of the scheme is additionally warranted via the system of the third-party certification audits.” [2]
The certification confirms the post-consumer origin of the waste used in the Terluran ECO MR and Novodur ECO MR materials and
facilitates traceability of recycled materials along the value chain,
promotes transparent use of recycled plastic in new products, and
reinforces reliable and verifiable claims on recycled plastic.
Terluran ECO MR
INEOS Styrolution’s portfolio of sustainable §ECO” materials includes Terluran ECO GP-22 MR50 and MR70, two commercially available ABS [3] grades incorporating 50% and 70% recycled content, respectively. Both grades offer performance on the same level as virgin material, thereby avoiding the need for downcycling and instead offering a drop-in solution for existing ABS applications.
In this way, the Terluran ECO MR grades are a significant step forward towards a circular economy, and a valuable tool to help customers achieve their sustainability targets.
Louie Mackee, Commercial Product Manager for Sustainable Products, says: “We are delighted to have completed the RecyClass certification for our mechanically recycled ABS grades, guaranteeing the post-consumer origin of the waste used to produce them. We recognise this as an important step towards increasing customer confidence when using materials containing recycled content, and our portfolio of sustainable ABS products is now stronger than ever. We invite customers to see a selection of applications made from our mechanically recycled Terluran ECO materials at INEOS Styrolution’s booth at the K show in Düsseldorf in October.”
Novodur ECO MR and Novodur ECO High Heat MR
Novodur specialty ABS solutions come in various colours. Consequently, also the Novodur ECO MR products are available in black and in various colours. A product for self-colouring is available as well. Mechanically recycled Novodur material is available with a 30% to 70% post-consumer mechanically recycled content. The individual grades come with a significant product carbon footprint (PCF) of up to 57%.
Nils Wittenberg, Technical Product Manager Novodur EMEA, says: “RecyClass certification is a significant step for our mechanical recycling solution. The properties for our Novodur ECO MR speak for themselves. The materials are plug-in solutions. And now, the origin of the post-consumer waste is certified as well.”
Explore the Durability & Carbon-footprint Reduction Benefits of Geotextile Fibres & Woven Fabrics at Eurogeo7
Visit stand MS15, Hall M for fibre solutions and woven geotextiles
Achieve material savings and a longer service life with polyolefin fibres from Beaulieu Fibres International produced with 100% green electricity
Talk to Beaulieu Technical Textiles’ geotextile experts for case studies proving performance & sustainability benefits, backed by Environmental Product Declarations
Beaulieu International Group invites EuroGeo7 attendees to Stand MS15 Hall M to discover geotextile solutions promoting greater sustainability for future civil engineering projects.
Join our specialists from Beaulieu Fibres International (BFI) and Beaulieu Technical Textiles (BTT) as they highlight support for high-performance geosynthetics through high tenacity fibres for lightweight, nonwoven geotextiles, and a range of high durability woven geotextile solutions with an environmentally beneficial impact.
“We are delighted to sponsor EuroGeo7 and to be finally on-site, following a two-year postponement of the event. EuroGeo7 is bringing the geotextile community together to further promote and develop geosynthetics in a fast changing global economy striving for growth while reducing its carbon footprint along the supply chain, ” comment from Jefrem Jennard, Sales Director Fibres, and Roy Kerckhove, Sales Director Technical Textiles. “Geotextiles provide highly versatile, durable and natural resource-saving alternatives in large infrastructure works, and offer durable protection in erosion control and waste/water management projects. We are continuously developing our fibres and finished engineering textiles with proven sustainability-enhancing benefits to progress product development and customer sustainability goals on fossil carbon reduction, while taking concrete steps to reduce our own environmental footprint.”
For manufacturers of nonwoven geotextiles, BFI’s high-tenacity HT8 staple fibres enable customers to achieve nonwovens with high mechanical performance at reduced fibre weight. The HT8 high tenacity fibres are designed in a way that customers can meet the industry durability standards for a longer service lifetime, supporting more sustainable design and resource reduction over time.
BTT’s woven geotextiles are amongst the most sustainable in the industry and provide a wide range of functions, including separation, filtration, reinforcement and erosion control.
They follow the comprehensive European standard EN 15804+A2 and are accompanied by third-party verified Environmental Product Declarations (EPD) to communicate the sustainability of each product to customers transparently. BTT’s woven textiles can reduce CO2-emissions in infrastructure projects by a factor of 10 compared to more conventional methods such as gravel and help to minimize use of natural resources.
Sustainability improvement is key to the long-term strategy of Beaulieu International Group, and it is committed to supporting the geotextile industry by targeting and accelerating change and communicating the sustainable performance of its products. The UN Sustainable Development Goals are integrated into its business and are the foundations of the new Route 2030 Sustainability Roadmap.
BFI and BTT have conducted lifecycle assessments to calculate their activities’ carbon footprint and solutions and have received external recognition for their ongoing sustainability efforts. For example, in 2022, BFI was awarded a Silver EcoVadis sustainability rating, and BFI and BTT are proud recipients of the Voka Charter for Sustainable Entrepreneurship 2022.
Sabic Expands Its Ultem Resin Optical Material Portfolio to Help Advance the Adoption of Single-mode Fiber Optics
Sabic, a global leader in the chemical industry, has expanded its optical materials portfolio with the launch of ultem 3310td resin, which is well suited for optical transceiver collimator lenses used in single-mode fiber optic systems. This new polyetherimide (pei) resin delivers a significantly lower coefficient of thermal expansion (cte) than that of standard ultem grades. A low cte is essential to optimize the dimensional stability of the collimator lenses and ensure alignment with single-mode fibers. Furthermore, the new grade provides near-infrared (ir) transmission without degrading signal quality. As a potential replacement for glass, ultem 3310td resin offers the efficiency of high-volume micro-molding, avoids the need for costly secondary operations, expands design freedom and lowers part weight.
“Sabic is helping to facilitate further adoption of single-mode fiber optics, an emerging datacenter infrastructure technology for high-speed transmission of large data volumes over long distances,” said scott fisher, business director, ultem resins and additives, sabic. “our new lower-cte ultem 3310td resin, a great candidate for single-mode optical transceiver lenses, provides better design and production capability, and potential cost savings, compared to traditional aspherical glass lenses. This new material builds on decades of customer success using incumbent ultem resins for multi-mode fiber optic components. As the industry embraces new advancements such as increasing use of single-mode fiber optics, sabic continues to innovate with targeted, high-performance products.”
Addressing challenges with single-mode fiber optics
As datacenters handle larger data volumes that generate more heat, temperature fluctuations can cause expansion and shrinkage in optical lenses. Dimensionally stable lens materials are needed to avoid misalignment with the fiber, which can lead to signal loss or distortion. This challenge is more critical with single-mode fiber than multi-mode fiber, due to the difference in core diameter (8-9 μm vs. 50-62.5 μm, respectively). Collimation in the smaller light bundles of single-mode fiber is highly sensitive to misalignment, with less tolerance for heat-induced dimensional changes.
New ultem 3310td resin has a cte of ~38 ppm/c, a reduction of 30 percent compared to the cte of ultem 1010 resin, which is widely used in multi-mode optical transceiver lenses. The new material’s cte, while not as low as that of glass, expands the implementation opportunities for thermoplastics in single-mode fiber optics. Furthermore, ultem 3310td resin offers several advantages over glass, including the ability to be micro-molded into a wide variety of shapes without the time-consuming secondary grinding and polishing required for aspherical glass lenses. As a thermoplastic, the new resin helps enable complex part designs, like free-form optics and multi-channel lens arrays, which may be difficult to achieve with glass. It also helps to achieve easy integration of mechanical and optical components such as alignment fixtures.
For customers that use ultem 1010 resin for multi-mode fiber optic lenses, choosing ultem 3310td resin instead of glass for single-mode optics provides continuity in processing and simplifies the supply chain. The two grades complement each other, offering a complete solution for single-mode and multi-mode applications.
“Until now, the industry has been forced to use glass for single-mode optical lenses because the cte of conventional thermoplastics was too high,” said david wang, senior product manager, sabic. “we formulated ultem 3310td resin with a low cte to address the increased dimensional stability requirements of single mode fiber, while maintaining near ir transmission above 85 percent. To assist customers around the world in transitioning to ultem resin, sabic’s technology centers in europe and japan provide micro-molding capabilities, including state-of-the-art equipment to test optical properties, metrology and aging.”
In addition to optical transceiver lenses, ultem 3310td resin can potentially be used in other telecommunications applications such as optical modems and optical cables. Furthermore, it can be considered for components in other industries that call for a low cte and good ir transmission, such as lidar sensors (automotive), drones (electronics) and robots (industrial).
Ultem 3310td resin is globally available. This new product is also listed in the zemax opticstudio database.
Discovery also paves way for robots and wearable devices that mimic natural motion
UCLA materials scientists and colleagues at the nonprofit scientific research institute SRI International have developed a new material and manufacturing process for creating artificial muscles that are stronger and more flexible than their biological counterparts.
“Creating an artificial muscle to enable work and detect force and touch has been one of the grand challenges of science and engineering,” said Qibing Pei, a professor of materials science and engineering at the UCLA Samueli School of Engineering and the corresponding author of a study recently published in Science. In order for a soft material to be considered for use as an artificial muscle, it must be able to output mechanical energy and remain viable under high-strain conditions – meaning it does not easily lose its form and strength after repeated work cycles.
While many materials have been considered contenders for making artificial muscles, dielectric elastomers (DE) – lightweight materials with high elastic energy density — have been of special interest because of their optimal flexibility and toughness. Dielectric elastomers are electroactive polymers, which are natural or synthetic substances composed of large molecules that can change in size or shape when stimulated by an electric field. They can be used as actuators, enabling machines to operate by transforming electric energy into mechanical work. Most dielectric elastomers are made of either acrylic or silicone, but both materials have drawbacks. While traditional acrylic DEs can achieve high actuation strain, they require pre-stretching and lack flexibility.
A 4×5-inch film made of 10 layers of processable, high-performance dielectric elastomers (PHDE) stacked together with 20 actuators.
Silicones are easier to make, but they cannot withstand high strain. Utilizing commercially available chemicals and employing an ultraviolet (UV) light curing process, the UCLA-led research team created an improved acrylic-based material that is more pliable, tunable and simpler to scale without losing its strength and endurance.
While the acrylic acid enables more hydrogen bonds to form, thereby making the material more movable, the researchers also adjusted the crosslinking between polymer chains, enabling the elastomers to be softer and more flexible. The resulting thin, processable, high-performance dielectric elastomer film, or PHDE, is then sandwiched between two electrodes to convert electrical energy into motion as an actuator.
Each PHDE film is as thin and light as a piece of human hair, about 35 micrometers in thickness, and when multiple layers are stacked together, they become a miniature electric motor that can act like muscle tissue and produce enough energy to power motion for small robots or sensors. The researchers have made stacks of PHDE films varying from four to 50 layers. “This flexible, versatile and efficient actuator could open the gates for artificial muscles in new generations of robots, or in sensors and wearable tech that can more accurately mimic or even improve humanlike motion and capabilities,” Pei said.
Artificial muscles fitted with PHDE actuators can generate more megapascals of force than biological muscles and they also demonstrate three to 10 times more flexibility than natural muscles. Multilayered soft films are usually manufactured via a “wet” process that involves depositing and curing liquid resin. But that process can result in uneven layers, which make for a poor- performing actuator. For this reason, up to now, many actuators have only been successful with single-layer DE films.
The UCLA research involves a “dry” process by which the films are layered using a blade and then UV-cured to harden, making the layers uniform. This increases the actuator’s energy output so that the device can support more complex movements. The simplified process, along with the flexible and durable nature of the PHDE, allows for the manufacture of new soft actuators capable of bending to jump, like spider legs, or winding up and spinning. The researchers also demonstrated the PHDE actuator’s ability to toss a pea-sized ball 20 times heavier than the PHDE films. The actuator can also expand and contract like a diaphragm when a voltage is switched on and off, giving a glimpse of how artificial muscles could be used in the future.
The advance could lead to soft robots with improved mobility and endurance, and new wearable and haptic technologies with a sense of touch. The manufacturing process could also be applied to other soft thin-film materials for applications including microfluidic technologies, tissue engineering or microfabrication. Other authors of the study from the UCLA Materials Science and Engineering Department are Ye Shi, Erin Askounis, Roshan Plamthottam, Zihang Peng, Kareem Youssef and Junhong Pu —all current or former members of Pei’s Soft Materials Research Lab at ULCA. Shi, Askounis and Plamthottam are co-lead authors of the study. The authors from SRI International are Tom Libby and Ron Pelrine. The research was supported by the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA). The team, through the UCLA Technology Development Group, has filed for an international patent on the technology.
