Project Air: Unique Swedish green chemistry investment wins support from EU Innovation Fund

The European Union Innovation Fund has selected Project Air, a unique production facility for sustainable methanol in Stenungsund, Sweden, as one of 17 large-scale green tech projects to be granted more than EUR 1.8 billion. Project Air, which is a collaboration between Perstorp, Fortum and Uniper, has applied for EUR 97 million and the total investment is expected to amount to more than EUR 230 million.

Project Air is a gamechanger for the chemical industry, moving from fossil raw materials to recycled and bio-based feedstock, thereby enabling sustainable chemical products to a large variety of industries and end products. At full capacity, it will reduce global CO2 emissions with close to 500,000 tons from today’s levels, corresponding to 1 percent of current emissions in Sweden.

“The Innovation Fund’s decision shows that Project Air is an important future investment for the climate. This is a crucial decision for Perstorp, our customers and partners, as it creates increased availability of sustainable chemical products throughout our value chains. The chemical industry needs the carbons, but it must be non-fossil carbons and they must be put into circular flows so we get rid of CO2 in the atmosphere,” said Perstorp President and CEO Jan Secher. “I am proud to be the leader of a company that has the ability to drive such an industry leading transformation project.“

Project Air is based on innovative usage of existing technology in a large-scale industrial application. To produce sustainable methanol, the facility utilizes significant amounts of CO2 and other residue streams recovered from Perstorp’s ongoing operations, biogas from new dedicated plants together with hydrogen from a new large electrolysis plant. Further, existing wastewater treatment will be utilized as feed water for the electrolysis. All electrical energy for the combined project will be renewable based. The ambition is to start up large-scale production by 2026.

Project Air will be built at Perstorp’s existing facilities in Stenungsund, strengthening the regional chemicals industry cluster, Hållbar Kemi 2030. The sustainable methanol from Project Air will be used to produce chemical products which in turn are used in a variety of applications in several industries and businesses. It’s ultimately about making thousands of end-products more sustainable, from mobile screens, paints to fabrics in our clothes. As a result of the upstream positioning of the chemical industry in the value chain, the project has the potential to make many other production processes and industries more sustainable. Project Air recovers carbon atoms that would otherwise remain in the earth’s atmosphere.

Project Air is one of 17 projects awarded a total EUR 1.8 billion by the Innovation Fund. The consortium behind Project Air now enters the Grant Agreement Preparation process, which is to be completed during the fourth quarter. The project design and planning of the facility are being conducted in parallel.

BOREALIS APPOINTS SANDRA MUELLER AS GENERAL COUNSEL AND VICE PRESIDENT LEGAL AND COMPLIANCE

Borealis announces the appointment of Sandra Mueller as General Counsel and Vice President Legal and Compliance, effective 1 June 2022.

Sandra Mueller started her career with Borealis in 2014 and successfully led the Legal Mergers & Acquisitions team as well as the Corporate Legal team in several major growth initiatives of Borealis worldwide, since 2015 as Associate General Counsel.

Before joining Borealis, Sandra Mueller gained substantial experience in the area of mergers & acquisitions at various law firms in Vienna, Austria and London, UK. She holds a Master of Laws from the London School of Economics and Political Science.

“For several years now Sandra Mueller has contributed significantly to Borealis’ growth and transformation journey,” says Borealis CEO Thomas Gangl. “With her leadership, expertise and business insights she will continue to develop Borealis’ Legal and Compliance function and support the growth ambitions set by our Strategy 2030.”

Sandra Mueller succeeds Katja Tautscher, who moved to OMV earlier this year in the role of Senior Vice President Legal / General Counsel.

Perc Pineda, Ph.D., Returns to Plastics Industry Association as Chief Economist

The Plastics Industry Association (PLASTICS) is pleased to announce that Dr. Perc Pineda has returned to fulfill the role of Chief Economist, effective immediately.

A member of PLASTICS’ Senior team, Pineda will be an integral part of the association’s ability to continue generating original, scientific and data-driven research for, and on behalf of, the members of PLASTICS.

As PLASTICS’ primary expert on economics, statistics, and industry research, Pineda will provide regular updates on the impact of national and global economies to PLASTICS members and the public. Pineda will produce various publications, including PLASTICS’ highly lauded annual Size & Impact report, analyzing the contributions of the plastics industry to the U.S. economy. Pineda will also be PLASTICS’ voice in the public, thought leadership and conference arenas, addressing industry issues pertaining to the economy.

“We are excited to have Perc return to the PLASTICS team,” said Matt Seaholm, President and CEO of the Plastics Industry Association. “He brings a significant expertise that is unparalleled in our industry. Perc’s invaluable ability to identify economic trends and forecast the state of the marketplace is highly regarded and regularly anticipated by our members.”

Prior to returning to PLASTICS, Pineda served as Senior Economist of the Credit Union National Association, where he tracked macroeconomic trends, conducted economic research, wrote articles for industry publications, and interfaced with the media. Pineda’s career experience also includes teaching Macroeconomics at St. Francis College in New York, and Microeconomics, Finance, and Economics of Regulations and the Law at City University of New York. Prior to his academic endeavors, Pineda served as an analyst for the International Monetary Fund. He holds both a Ph.D. and a Master of Philosophy degree in Economics from The New School (formerly The New School for Social Research), a master’s degree in Economics from American University, and a master’s degree in International Management from the University of Maryland.

“The plastics industry’s value-add—its contribution to the economy—is a major force within all manufacturing sectors,” said Pineda upon his return. “I welcome the opportunity to, once again, provide economic, industry and market intel to the hundreds of PLASTICS member companies throughout the supply chain and to the industry at large.”

Since 1937, PLASTICS, the only organization that supports the entire plastics supply chain, has been working to make its members and the industry more globally competitive while advancing recycling and sustainability. To learn more about PLASTICS educational initiatives, industry-leading insights and events, networking opportunities and policy advocacy, and the largest plastic trade show in the Americas, NPE: The Plastics Show, visit plasticsindustry.org or go to This Is PLASTICS.

Highlights and Innovations from Promix Solutions at K 2022

At the upcoming K trade fair, Promix Solutions will be presenting solutions for mixing, foaming and cooling of polymer melts, saving raw material costs, reducing the carbon footprint and increasing production capacity. For manufacturers of light foams, such as XPS, XPP, XPE, XPET, Promix will show how P1 cooling mix technology can be used to achieve better mechanical properties and lower foam densities. Promix displays clever solutions for efficient cooling or tempering of viscous media and for inline viscosity measurement. At K 2022, Promix Solutions can be found in Hall 9, booth E18.

From foam extrusion to Promix Microcell Technology
Promix Microcell Technology creates a microcellular foam structure in the polymer by adding environmentally friendly atmospheric gases (N 2 and CO 2 ). This reduces the product weight by 20 – 50 %, which leads to massive savings in raw materials. The saved plastic also results in fewer CO 2 emissions and your company makes an important contribution to more sustainable

For the mechanical properties of physically foamed components, a foam structure that is as fine-cell as possible is a decisive advantage. Especially in the case of films and sheets for the packaging
industry, a homogeneous, extremely fine-cell foam structure is essential, since the gas bubbles introduced are deformed again in the subsequent thermoforming process. If the cells are too large, the mechanical strength of the component is weakened and, in the worst case, defects occur.

During the Covid-pandemic, Promix conducted intensive research into the further development of physical foam extrusion and carried out various tests in its in-house technical center. With the new Promix Microcell Technology, an important milestone was reached with regard to cell size. It was possible to halve the previous cell size of 100 micron on average. The extremely fine-cell structure leads to very good mechanical values, which are comparable to those of non-foamed trays of the same thickness. Top Load tests have confirmed: With Promix Microcell Technology, weight savings of around 20% can be achieved without sacrificing mechanical properties.

In addition to its use in packaging films, Promix Microcell Technology is also suitable for sheets, foam core and corrugated pipes as well as profiles, cable sheathing, blow molding and blown films. Promix will exhibit relevant key components at the K and will provide information on possibilities within specific fields of application. In the meantime, more than 250 industrial references are in operation and various machine manufacturers are successfully integrating the technology into their plants.

Promix Microcell Technology can be used for almost all raw materials. For example, for PP, PE, PET, TPE, TPU, PA, hard & soft PVC and bioplastics. The technology is available both for newly planned extrusion lines and as a retrofit solution.

Highlights and Innovations from Promix Solutions at K 2022

At the upcoming K trade fair, Promix Solutions will be presenting solutions for mixing, foaming and cooling of polymer melts, saving raw material costs, reducing the carbon footprint and increasing production capacity. For manufacturers of light foams, such as XPS, XPP, XPE, XPET, Promix will show how P1 cooling mix technology can be used to achieve better mechanical properties and lower foam densities. Promix displays clever solutions for efficient cooling or tempering of viscous media and for inline viscosity measurement. At K 2022, Promix Solutions can be found in Hall 9, booth E18.

From foam extrusion to Promix Microcell Technology
Promix Microcell Technology creates a microcellular foam structure in the polymer by adding environmentally friendly atmospheric gases (N 2 and CO 2 ). This reduces the product weight by 20 – 50 %, which leads to massive savings in raw materials. The saved plastic also results in fewer CO 2 emissions and your company makes an important contribution to more sustainable

For the mechanical properties of physically foamed components, a foam structure that is as fine-cell as possible is a decisive advantage. Especially in the case of films and sheets for the packaging
industry, a homogeneous, extremely fine-cell foam structure is essential, since the gas bubbles introduced are deformed again in the subsequent thermoforming process. If the cells are too large, the mechanical strength of the component is weakened and, in the worst case, defects occur.

During the Covid-pandemic, Promix conducted intensive research into the further development of physical foam extrusion and carried out various tests in its in-house technical center. With the new Promix Microcell Technology, an important milestone was reached with regard to cell size. It was possible to halve the previous cell size of 100 micron on average. The extremely fine-cell structure leads to very good mechanical values, which are comparable to those of non-foamed trays of the same thickness. Top Load tests have confirmed: With Promix Microcell Technology, weight savings of around 20% can be achieved without sacrificing mechanical properties.

In addition to its use in packaging films, Promix Microcell Technology is also suitable for sheets, foam core and corrugated pipes as well as profiles, cable sheathing, blow molding and blown films. Promix will exhibit relevant key components at the K and will provide information on possibilities within specific fields of application. In the meantime, more than 250 industrial references are in operation and various machine manufacturers are successfully integrating the technology into their plants.

Promix Microcell Technology can be used for almost all raw materials. For example, for PP, PE, PET, TPE, TPU, PA, hard & soft PVC and bioplastics. The technology is available both for newly planned extrusion lines and as a retrofit solution

Alphagary, Orbia’s Polymer Solutions brand, introduces EVOPRENE ECO 1000 – TPE compounds built with sustainable ingredients.

Alphagary, a global leader in the design and manufacture of specialty polymer compounds and a division of Orbia’s Polymer Solutions business group, introduced today the first of a new series of SEBS-based thermoplastic elastomer (TPE) compounds, under the brand EVOPRENE, that are formulated with sustainable raw materials.

This new family of EVOPRENE compounds, the ECO 1000 series, underlines Alphagary’s commitment to sustainable development. The EVOPRENE ECO 1000 series is formulated with bio-based raw materials, reducing reliance on traditional fossil-based raw materials. These compounds are designed for both extrusion and molding general-purpose applications. Having a natural base, these materials can be easily colored.

Extensive lab testing was conducted on EVOPRENE ECO 1000. Comparing a compound with twenty-five (25) percent bio-based raw materials against a compound formulated with traditional fossil-based raw materials, Alphagary found consistent mechanical properties (such as specific gravity, durometer, and tensile strength), good heat resistance, and consistent flow characteristics and surface finish compared with traditionally formulated compounds.

Said John Jaddou, Alphagary’s Global Business Development Director, “As part of Orbia’s mission to Advance Life Around the World, Alphagary is expanding our portfolio of sustainable materials as well as investing in new technologies that allow our customers to achieve their own sustainability initiatives. Additionally, we are exploring methods that will allow us to quantify the reduction in greenhouse gas emissions from formulation through manufacture of these compounds”. John went on to say, “Our approach is holistic – it goes beyond formulating with bio-based raw material and recycled content. We are carefully listening to our customers’ own business goals and reimagining ways we can work together to advance common sustainability ambitions. Programs that partner with customers to prevent waste to landfill, using alternate materials that have lower carbon footprint, and choosing ingredients that are less harmful to the environment are all ways we are demonstrating our commitment to sustainable development.”

At Orbia, sustainability is deeply embedded in our businesses, is a core component of our growth strategy, and drives our culture. Our purpose-led focus on addressing the world’s most pressing challenges drives our business agenda and our strategic approach to sustainability. In living these values, Alphagary’s sustainability goals include actions at its manufacturing facilities. Said Rick Correia, Alphagary’s Global Operations Director, “The approach we take in our operations is as important as the innovative products we offer. Our investments to contract green energy, upgrade equipment efficiencies, and capture precious resources such as heat back into our facilities all help to reduce our carbon footprint and demonstrate our unwavering commitment to protect our environment.”

High-performance Additives for Polyamides and Recycled Polyolefins

Brüggemann (www.brueggemann.com) is presenting performance-enhancing additive innovations at K 2022. These range from electrically neutral heat stabilizers for polyamides in electrical and electronic applications, forexample for e-mobility, to high-performance stabilizers for exposure to moderate to very high temperatures and additives for stabilizing recycled polyolefins. A further focus is on efficiency-boosting flow enhancers which enable shorter cycle times and low wall thicknesses for components made of polyamides and polyesters (PBT).

Electrically Neutral Heat Stabilizers for Polyamides
BRUGGOLEN TP-H2062 and TP-H2217 are opening up a new class of metal- and halogen-free heat stabilizers for reinforced and unreinforced polyamides in E/E
applications. They do not corrode metallic components such as overmolded sensors and have no impact on the polymer’s electrical properties. They also enable continuous service temperatures of 170°C with peaks of 200°C, so meeting more stringent automotive industry requirements and surpassing the limits of conventional systems, such as phenol- and copper-based stabilizers. Both BRUGGOLEN additives are available as easy-to-process masterbatches. BRUGGOLEN TP-H2217 is particularly suitable for heat-stabilizing halogen-free flame retardant polyamides. Brüggemann has thus made it possible for compounders to produce polyamide materials specifically tailored for e-mobility which have a V-0 classification to UL94, electrical neutrality and long-lasting heat resistance at 180°C.

“Best in Class” at 190°C
BRUGGOLEN TP-H1804 is a new heat stabilizer for aliphatic polyamides used at service temperatures of 160°C to 190°C. It distinctly outperforms copper salt- based stabilizers in terms of mechanical property retention of the materials to which it is added. BRUGGOLEN TP-H1804 thus complements BRUGGOLEN ® TP-H1805, which was presented at K 2019 and stabilizes reinforced aliphatic polyamides for continuous service at 200°C for PA6 and at 230°C for PA6.6.

Efficiency-boosting Flow Enhancers
BRUGGOLEN TP-P2201 is a new addition to Brüggemann’s range of flow enhancers which will be presented at K 2022 and is specifically tailored for applications in e-mobility
and flame retardant polyamides. BRUGGOLEN ® TP-P1810 is particularly suitable for processing partially aromatic polyamides, while BRUGGOLEN ® P1507 is optimized for
aliphatic polyamides and TP-P1924 for PBT. All these additives help to save energy production while simultaneously enabling very high fiber contents for injection molded parts with long flow paths and/or low wall thicknesses.

Polyolefin Recycling
Brüggemann had already presented its wide range of additives for the mechanical recycling of polyamides at K 2019. These include long-term heat stabilizers, process
stabilizers, flow promoters, reactive chain modifiers, nucleating agents and other processing auxiliaries. Products for recycling polyolefins will now also be presented at
K 2022. Specially developed technology repairs defects in the molecular chains which arise during the processing and use of polyolefins and degrade quality. The result is recycled polymers with improved mechanical properties which do not require the addition of virgin material.

Using BRUGGOLEN TP-R2090, it is possible to recycle polypropylene from post- industrial and post-consumer waste. TP-R8895 is specifically suited to recycling polypropylene from battery cases. Both additives result in recycled materials of a quality which cannot be achieved by conventional re-stabilization, even at high rates of addition.

For recycling polyethylene, Brüggemann has developed BRUGGOLEN ® TP-R2162 which again includes the new repair technology and is particularly suitable for recycled LLDPE
for use in film extrusion. All the stated additives are supplied in the form of compact, dust-free blends.

Solvay Develops Industry-First Specialized UV-C Stabilizers for the Protection of Polyolefin Surfaces

Proprietary technology designed to protect UV-C disinfected surfaces against degradation and discoloration

Solvay, a global market leader in specialty materials, has announced the development of an innovative new portfolio of UV-C stabilizers. They are designed for use in demanding hygiene applications, where polyolefin surfaces are treated with ultra-violet (UV) light of the UV-C spectrum (200-280 nm) to fight against COVID and hospital-acquired infections. The new proprietary stabilization technology represents an important milestone for the polyolefin industry, as it is the first to address the risk of polyolefin degradation, discoloration and micro-crack formation, which is caused by frequent exposure to UV-C irradiation.

“Healthcare and other markets, such as aerospace and shared mobility, are increasingly using UV-C light to disinfect high-contact surfaces in an effort to combat pathogens, including coronaviruses,” says Sophie Poelmans, Global Marketing Manager for Polymer Additives at Solvay Materials. “Our new UV-C stabilization technology helps end users achieve effective UV-C disinfection levels on surfaces made from polyolefins without compromising the performance of the material.”

UV-C radiation can deactivate microorganisms and has been scientifically proven to be effective against coronaviruses. However, the proven germicidal action of UV-C also exposes the treated surfaces to much higher ultraviolet energy than that covered by traditional UV-A and UV-B stabilizers, resulting in the potential for faster material degradation. Solvay, a member of the International Ultraviolet Association (IUVA), has leveraged its extensive expertise in polymer additives to develop a technology that is purpose-engineered to enable the use of UV-C light as an anti-microbial disinfectant on polyolefin surfaces, while safely protecting them against UV-C induced degradation.

Solvay’s new UV-C stabilization technology is targeted at a wide range of polyolefin applications, including medical equipment in operation and patient rooms, aircraft and shared vehicle interiors, and sporting venues. You can find out more on the Solvay website or by visiting Solvay at the K 2022 in Düsseldorf, from October 19-16 in Hall 6, Booth C61.