Home > Resources > Articles > We can solve the plastic waste crisis but we don’t have much time

We can solve the plastic waste crisis but we don’t have much time

JOHN RICHARDSON | May 27, 2021 | 107 views

IN 2015, a global agreement was reached that 8m tonnes a year of plastic waste entering the oceans was unacceptable, according to this September 2020 article in The Conversation. This was the amount of plastic that  was estimated to have ended up in the oceans in 2010.

“Several international platforms emerged to address the crisis, including Our Ocean, the UN Sustainable Development Goals and the G7 Ocean Plastic Charter, among others,” continued the article.

But in 2020, an estimated 24m-34m tonnes of plastic waste was forecast to enter our lakes, rivers and oceans. This could reach as much as 90m tonnes in 2030 if the current trajectory continued, said The Conversation.

This is the type of information out there, free to view on the internet and accessible via a very quick Google search, representing a major challenges for our industry. I cannot of course verify the numbers. But they are out there.

Also out there is a May 2019 article by the World Economic Forum (WEF), which provided a good summary of research into what experts believed was the scale of the waste problem in the developing world.

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Vantage Specialty Chemicals (Vantage) is a leading provider of natural based specialty chemicals focused on personal care, food, consumer, and industrial end markets.

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CHEMICAL TECHNOLOGY

How Leading Chemical Companies Protect Customer Data Online

Article | June 21, 2021

Cybersecurity concerns must be considered in order for the chemical sector to succeed with digital commerce; simply listing your products on an online store and crossing your fingers won't cut it. It is crucial to pick a spouse who is aware of these hazards and has a strong defense in place. It is evident that the sector has massive potential for online sales, but selling chemicals online is different from selling common consumer goods online. Who your consumers are and how you gather and maintain data about them raise severe security and privacy problems. Chemical company leaders have every right to be concerned about the privacy of their data, given that one cyber attack occurs every 11 seconds. However, they should still go online because there is too much business risk in not taking advantage of the digital opportunity. Deloitte estimates that the chemical sector alone sold over $27 billion worth of goods online in 2020. More than half (58%) of chemical purchasers reportedly stated that they would transfer providers if their demands, which include demands for a fantastic digital experience, were not delivered. The objective is to limit risk and create a secure digital sales environment rather than dismissing e-commerce due to cybersecurity issues. Setting up the appropriate IT infrastructure: Building for convenience and security is possible thanks to new IT technologies. Emphasis on confirming identification: Always be aware of who you are dealing with, regardless of whether they came through a digital or physical means. Offering simple (and safe) reorder alternatives to clients that have been verified. It's ideal for business owners in the chemical sector who want to test selling online but are concerned about data collecting, security, and privacy for my company and customers.

Read More
CHEMICAL TECHNOLOGY

Future-Proofing the Chemical Industry with Digitalization

Article | July 14, 2022

Over the next five to seven years, the chemical sector will place a greater emphasis on sustainability, and digitization will play a significant part in this. Reducing resource use, pollution, energy consumption, and waste are some of its main applications. Additionally, it will increase demand for a circular economy supported by IoT, AI, and other digital technologies. Some of the systems now in place or being used in the sector include autonomous solutions that enable lower energy usage, dispatching systems for effective logistics and strategies for sustainable power and fuel consumption. Chemical players making the switch to digital platforms have a chance to triumph if they move swiftly and update their operational models in accordance with a few common success characteristics. In fact, according to our study, making the correct decisions can increase total earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortization by 3 percent or more (EBITDA). The Next Step of Operational Excellence The same level of transformation is available with digital technology for optimal performance, together with success-enabling measures. The same level of corporate participation and realignment will also be necessary for the effective implementation of digital technology. Finance and telecoms were early leaders in adopting digital technology faster than the chemical sector, which has just recently started to move in more significant numbers toward digitalization. A circular economy in the sector is also being enabled by the use and evaluation of digital technology. The "Right to Fix" movement is being driven by governments and legislators in Europe and the US, and small and medium-sized businesses in the industry are expected to invest in technology that makes it easier to repair electronic items with the least amount of waste. On a side note, by enabling the re-use of resources and products throughout the supply chain, digitalization with lean manufacturing (LM) would enable businesses to improve operational excellence and create value, thereby supporting the circular economy goal. Conclusion Given its extensive safety and regulatory requirements, the chemical sector has evolved slowly. However, as the global economy changes, some skills will become obsolete and others essential. The interconnectedness of people, processes, and technology, as well as the requirement for real-time insight at the levels closest to the action, are among the basic principles of Industry 4.0. These values have existed for some time and are an extension of our teams' current operational excellence initiatives. Digital transformation is not a technology endpoint but rather the following stage in the process and business evolution as the chemicals industry advances continuously.

Read More
CHEMICAL TECHNOLOGY

Key Trends in the Digital Transformation of the Chemical Industry

Article | August 2, 2022

The chemical business is intricate, with numerous sub-sectors dealing with various challenges. Thus, there are some differences in the sector's main areas of digitalization. For instance, while specialty chemicals with smaller batches but larger profit margins are concerned with improving quality, large factories are concentrated on accelerating throughput speed. To be able to react to quick and repeated changes in demand, supply, and working circumstances, however, every plant must optimize output, reduce waste, improve safety and sustainability, and become more nimble. Therefore, the Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT), artificial intelligence (AI), and cloud computing are expected to be the three most popular applications for digital transformation during the coming two years. Key Trends Production Optimization The first and most valuable use cases of digitalization in chemical plants center on production optimization through improved equipment performance, process automation, remote and predictive monitoring, and simplified maintenance. Chemical factories, which often provide basic chemicals for use as end products in other sectors, have a special responsibility to maintain consistently high product quality. However, doing so can be challenging given the significant variations in raw material supply and quality. In addition, as process engineers can change the mix on the fly in reaction to fluctuations in quality, feedstock, or ambient temperatures, better data and analytics enable finer and more frequent adjustments. Lowering Waste The main advantage of digitally transformed plants so far has been cost reduction. The price volatility of raw materials is a problem for the chemical production sector because customers naturally want constant low prices. Minimizing waste is critical since facilities must contend with rising energy costs. Analytics tools that monitor fluctuating raw material prices aid factories in negotiating the best deals with suppliers and preparing in advance for price spikes. The risk of oversupply is reduced since plants can prepare the proper quantities of various products thanks to more precise demand predictions. Sustainability, Compliance, and Safety The chemical industry is heavily regulated as a result of the quantity of hazardous chemicals and the number of end-use industries that rely on it. Businesses are adopting digital transformation to boost safety awareness, reduce emissions and dangerous flare incidents, and guarantee a transparent and accurate audit trail. Plants that quickly adopt digital solutions for remote monitoring, supply chain visibility, waste reduction, production optimization, raising their safety profile, and opening up new opportunities will profit from higher profits and increased revenue, whereas those that hesitate for too long risk failing in the long run.

Read More
CHEMICAL MANAGEMENT

The Future of Supply Chain Management for Chemical Companies

Article | July 8, 2022

Individual consumers expect tailored products and services. Color, size, quantity, payment method, and delivery channel options abound. The chemical sector is also now following this suit of action. The global chemicals supply chain has grown steadily for three decades. Chemical businesses are improving their supply chain capabilities to handle complexity and meet client demands. This includes implementing advanced data-driven and cloud-based technologies that enable faster, more flexible, and tailored customer interactions. Areas of innovation for chemical companies Living Segmentation Living segmentation can help chemical businesses better serve clients and satisfy their expectations. This entails adapting supply chain capabilities to each customer's needs. Asset-light Network An asset-light network involves developing an ecosystem of partners to add capabilities and value to your supply chain beyond standard co-manufacturing, co-packing, and third-party or last-mile logistics providers. In addition, it should include technology partners that help chemical businesses innovate and be adaptable. Data and Applied Intelligence Improving speed, agility, and efficiency in global supply chains demands comprehensive visibility and the correct information. Data provides visibility and insights. The key to providing excellent customer service is gathering the appropriate data and using it strategically to get important insight. The industry generates a ton of data, which is excellent news. In response to last year's supply chain delays, corporations are building supply chains with geographically spread shipping/supplier choices. Real-time visibility and enhanced analytics can be used to track delays by providing revised ETAs and analyzing downstream implications. Data-driven insights can alert organizations of a delay almost immediately and help them acquire raw materials from another supplier to reduce the domino impact downstream. Chemical businesses must rethink their supply chains to implement living segmentation, asset-light networks, data, and AI.

Read More
CHEMICAL TECHNOLOGY

Reimagining the Workforce with Anglo American

Article | June 21, 2021

Cybersecurity concerns must be considered in order for the chemical sector to succeed with digital commerce; simply listing your products on an online store and crossing your fingers won't cut it. It is crucial to pick a spouse who is aware of these hazards and has a strong defense in place. It is evident that the sector has massive potential for online sales, but selling chemicals online is different from selling common consumer goods online. Who your consumers are and how you gather and maintain data about them raise severe security and privacy problems. Chemical company leaders have every right to be concerned about the privacy of their data, given that one cyber attack occurs every 11 seconds. However, they should still go online because there is too much business risk in not taking advantage of the digital opportunity. Deloitte estimates that the chemical sector alone sold over $27 billion worth of goods online in 2020. More than half (58%) of chemical purchasers reportedly stated that they would transfer providers if their demands, which include demands for a fantastic digital experience, were not delivered. The objective is to limit risk and create a secure digital sales environment rather than dismissing e-commerce due to cybersecurity issues. Setting up the appropriate IT infrastructure: Building for convenience and security is possible thanks to new IT technologies. Emphasis on confirming identification: Always be aware of who you are dealing with, regardless of whether they came through a digital or physical means. Offering simple (and safe) reorder alternatives to clients that have been verified. It's ideal for business owners in the chemical sector who want to test selling online but are concerned about data collecting, security, and privacy for my company and customers.

Read More
CHEMICAL TECHNOLOGY

Future-Proofing the Chemical Industry with Digitalization

Article | July 14, 2022

Over the next five to seven years, the chemical sector will place a greater emphasis on sustainability, and digitization will play a significant part in this. Reducing resource use, pollution, energy consumption, and waste are some of its main applications. Additionally, it will increase demand for a circular economy supported by IoT, AI, and other digital technologies. Some of the systems now in place or being used in the sector include autonomous solutions that enable lower energy usage, dispatching systems for effective logistics and strategies for sustainable power and fuel consumption. Chemical players making the switch to digital platforms have a chance to triumph if they move swiftly and update their operational models in accordance with a few common success characteristics. In fact, according to our study, making the correct decisions can increase total earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortization by 3 percent or more (EBITDA). The Next Step of Operational Excellence The same level of transformation is available with digital technology for optimal performance, together with success-enabling measures. The same level of corporate participation and realignment will also be necessary for the effective implementation of digital technology. Finance and telecoms were early leaders in adopting digital technology faster than the chemical sector, which has just recently started to move in more significant numbers toward digitalization. A circular economy in the sector is also being enabled by the use and evaluation of digital technology. The "Right to Fix" movement is being driven by governments and legislators in Europe and the US, and small and medium-sized businesses in the industry are expected to invest in technology that makes it easier to repair electronic items with the least amount of waste. On a side note, by enabling the re-use of resources and products throughout the supply chain, digitalization with lean manufacturing (LM) would enable businesses to improve operational excellence and create value, thereby supporting the circular economy goal. Conclusion Given its extensive safety and regulatory requirements, the chemical sector has evolved slowly. However, as the global economy changes, some skills will become obsolete and others essential. The interconnectedness of people, processes, and technology, as well as the requirement for real-time insight at the levels closest to the action, are among the basic principles of Industry 4.0. These values have existed for some time and are an extension of our teams' current operational excellence initiatives. Digital transformation is not a technology endpoint but rather the following stage in the process and business evolution as the chemicals industry advances continuously.

Read More
CHEMICAL TECHNOLOGY

The Digital Transformation of the Chemical Industry: The Key Trends

Article | August 2, 2022

The chemical business is intricate, with numerous sub-sectors dealing with various challenges. Thus, there are some differences in the sector's main areas of digitalization. For instance, while specialty chemicals with smaller batches but larger profit margins are concerned with improving quality, large factories are concentrated on accelerating throughput speed. To be able to react to quick and repeated changes in demand, supply, and working circumstances, however, every plant must optimize output, reduce waste, improve safety and sustainability, and become more nimble. Therefore, the Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT), artificial intelligence (AI), and cloud computing are expected to be the three most popular applications for digital transformation during the coming two years. Key Trends Production Optimization The first and most valuable use cases of digitalization in chemical plants center on production optimization through improved equipment performance, process automation, remote and predictive monitoring, and simplified maintenance. Chemical factories, which often provide basic chemicals for use as end products in other sectors, have a special responsibility to maintain consistently high product quality. However, doing so can be challenging given the significant variations in raw material supply and quality. In addition, as process engineers can change the mix on the fly in reaction to fluctuations in quality, feedstock, or ambient temperatures, better data and analytics enable finer and more frequent adjustments. Lowering Waste The main advantage of digitally transformed plants so far has been cost reduction. The price volatility of raw materials is a problem for the chemical production sector because customers naturally want constant low prices. Minimizing waste is critical since facilities must contend with rising energy costs. Analytics tools that monitor fluctuating raw material prices aid factories in negotiating the best deals with suppliers and preparing in advance for price spikes. The risk of oversupply is reduced since plants can prepare the proper quantities of various products thanks to more precise demand predictions. Sustainability, Compliance, and Safety The chemical industry is heavily regulated as a result of the quantity of hazardous chemicals and the number of end-use industries that rely on it. Businesses are adopting digital transformation to boost safety awareness, reduce emissions and dangerous flare incidents, and guarantee a transparent and accurate audit trail. Plants that quickly adopt digital solutions for remote monitoring, supply chain visibility, waste reduction, production optimization, raising their safety profile, and opening up new opportunities will profit from higher profits and increased revenue, whereas those that hesitate for too long risk failing in the long run.

Read More
CHEMICAL MANAGEMENT

The Future of Supply Chain Management for Chemical Companies

Article | July 8, 2022

Individual consumers expect tailored products and services. Color, size, quantity, payment method, and delivery channel options abound. The chemical sector is also now following this suit of action. The global chemicals supply chain has grown steadily for three decades. Chemical businesses are improving their supply chain capabilities to handle complexity and meet client demands. This includes implementing advanced data-driven and cloud-based technologies that enable faster, more flexible, and tailored customer interactions. Areas of innovation for chemical companies Living Segmentation Living segmentation can help chemical businesses better serve clients and satisfy their expectations. This entails adapting supply chain capabilities to each customer's needs. Asset-light Network An asset-light network involves developing an ecosystem of partners to add capabilities and value to your supply chain beyond standard co-manufacturing, co-packing, and third-party or last-mile logistics providers. In addition, it should include technology partners that help chemical businesses innovate and be adaptable. Data and Applied Intelligence Improving speed, agility, and efficiency in global supply chains demands comprehensive visibility and the correct information. Data provides visibility and insights. The key to providing excellent customer service is gathering the appropriate data and using it strategically to get important insight. The industry generates a ton of data, which is excellent news. In response to last year's supply chain delays, corporations are building supply chains with geographically spread shipping/supplier choices. Real-time visibility and enhanced analytics can be used to track delays by providing revised ETAs and analyzing downstream implications. Data-driven insights can alert organizations of a delay almost immediately and help them acquire raw materials from another supplier to reduce the domino impact downstream. Chemical businesses must rethink their supply chains to implement living segmentation, asset-light networks, data, and AI.

Read More
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Vantage Specialty Chemicals

Vantage Specialty Chemicals (Vantage) is a leading provider of natural based specialty chemicals focused on personal care, food, consumer, and industrial end markets.

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Chromatic Announces Breakthrough Smooth-Mode Technology for Ultra-Smooth 3D-Printed Rubber Parts

Chromatic 3D Materials | September 22, 2022

Chromatic 3D Materials, a 3D-printing technology provider, has developed breakthrough Smooth-Mode technology for 3D printing of durable rubber parts with ultra-smooth surfaces at commercial volumes. Now, industrial manufacturers can 3D print smooth, high-quality polyurethane parts, such as seals, gaskets, grommets, bladders and other elastomeric products, with no post processing or surface finishing. "Sealing requires a smooth surface, but 3D-printed parts have always had layer lines or roughness. We have developed a way to easily and cost-effectively 3D print products that are ultra-smooth without additional steps. It's a breakthrough for 3D printing those professional applications that must be airtight and watertight," Dr. Cora Leibig, Chromatic CEO and founder Parts printed with Smooth-Mode technology have superior aesthetics as well as finer dimensional accuracy. For example, products can be printed with precise uniform thickness at submillimeter scale. Thus, the new technology is suitable for manufacturing rubber bladders and other elastomeric products that expand and contract. Chromatic's team of additive manufacturing experts first achieved ultra-smooth prints by fine-tuning the viscosity and surface tension of the company's printable thermoset polyurethane materials. "We developed a way to go beyond simply applying our reaction technology to FDM printing. Smooth-Mode uses chemistry to create an ultra-bonded and smooth part. We believe this printing technique delivers the world's smoothest printing along the Z, or height, axis," explained Dr. Bart Engendahl, Chromatic's managing director in Germany. Industrial manufacturers can take advantage of Smooth-Mode with Chromatic's RX-AM™ materials and technology platform. A 3-in-1 platform, RX-AM™ includes materials, software and hardware for deposition printing with reactive chemistry. RX-AM™, or Reactive Extrusion Additive Manufacturing, uses printable polyurethanes with Shore A hardness ranging from 50 to 90 as well as custom grades with varying colors, hardnesses and special properties. The platform is designed for printing commercial volumes. About Chromatic 3D Materials Chromatic 3D Materials is a 3D-printing technology company focused on more flexible, cost-effective and sustainable manufacturing of industrial-strength elastomeric products. Its portfolio includes printable polyurethanes and other thermoset elastomers for applications in transportation, industrial seals and gaskets, textiles, medical devices and defense. Chromatic's RX-AM™ materials and technology platform is based on Reactive Extrusion Additive Manufacturing, a type of deposition 3D printing that uses chemical reactions. Founded in 2016 by CEO Dr. Cora Leibig, Chromatic now has facilities in the US and Germany.

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CHEMICAL TECHNOLOGY

Lithium Americas Enters Strategic Collaboration Agreement with Green Technology Metals

Lithium Americas | September 21, 2022

Lithium Americas Corp. is pleased to announce it has entered a Strategic Collaboration Agreement with Green Technology Metals Ltd. to advance a common goal of developing an integrated lithium chemical supply chain in North America. “The collaboration between the groups has already commenced alongside Primero Group, making the combination of hard rock lithium development and processing one of world-renowned experience that will continue the growth of both businesses. Both GT1 and Lithium Americas have the shared objective of building the pre-eminent vertically integrated lithium business in North America. With the recent passing of the IRA, and the substantial domestic battery minerals sourcing requirements this imposes on car manufacturers seeking to attract consumer tax credits for their vehicles, the value of this end goal has increased further again.” GT1’s Director, Cameron Henry In North America, Lithium Americas is focused on developing its 100%-owned Thacker Pass project in Humboldt County, Nevada. The Company has received all federal and state permits necessary to begin construction and awaits a ruling on an appeal filed against the Bureau of Land Management on the issuance of the Record of Decision. The Company is actively preparing to commence construction, including planning early-works construction for late 2022, finalizing the selection of an engineering, procurement and construction management firm, hiring lead construction and project management roles, advancing financing and offtake discussions, and progressing the U.S. Department of Energy Advanced Technology Vehicles Manufacturing loan program. ABOUT GREEN TECHNOLOGY METALS GT1 is a North American focused lithium exploration and development business. GT1’s Ontario Lithium Projects comprise high-grade, hard rock spodumene assets (Seymour, Root and Wisa) and lithium exploration claims (Allison and Solstice) located on highly prospective Archean Greenstone tenure in north-west Ontario, Canada. GT1’s strategy is to build a vertically integrated lithium business in Ontario. ABOUT LITHIUM AMERICAS Lithium Americas is focused on advancing lithium projects in Argentina and the United States to production. In Argentina, Caucharí-Olaroz is advancing towards first production and Pastos Grandes represents regional growth. In the United States, Thacker Pass has received its Record of Decision and is advancing towards construction. The Company trades on both the Toronto Stock Exchange and on the New York Stock Exchange, under the ticker symbol “LAC”.

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CHEMICAL TECHNOLOGY

Novoloop Partners with On to Introduce World’s First Chemically Upcycled TPU Outsole in Cloudprime

Novoloop | September 23, 2022

Novoloop, an emerging leader in plastic circularity, announced its partnership with the Swiss sports brand On last night at an Elemental Excelerator event, as part of Climate Week in New York City. Novoloop’s thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) – the world’s first chemically upcycled TPU – is featured as the outsole for On’s newest carbon capture consortium shoe, Cloudprime. The achievement is the result of a two year-long joint development, in which both companies invested in creating a TPU made from an unconventional carbon feedstock originating from plastic waste. Having passed rigorous laboratory and athlete wear testing, Novoloop and On will begin scale-up planning to incorporate the chemically upcycled TPU into future products for mass production. “Saving the planet is a team sport,” says Caspar Coppetti, Co-Founder and Executive Co-Chairman of On. “We are excited to see what can happen in the future as we unlock the potential of alternative carbon sources with further research and in collaboration with the best partners, such as Novoloop.” On is committed to move away from petroleum-based materials in its products by accelerating the development of materials that are upcycled, bio-based or derived by carbon capture. Novoloop was founded by Miranda Wang and Jeanny Yao in 2015 with a mission to change the course of plastics for good. The company’s chemically upcycled TPU is created by breaking down post-consumer waste polyethylene – such as plastic bags, bubble wrap, and shampoo bottles – through the company’s patented Accelerated Thermal Oxidative Decomposition (ATOD™) technology. This chemical deconstruction turns trash that is difficult – or even impossible – to mechanically recycle into molecular building blocks which are re-synthesized, or upcycled, into TPU. The chemically upcycled TPU contains 35% post-consumer content and performs comparably to virgin TPU derived from fossil fuels. As a high-performance thermoplastic, it is recyclable and can be manufactured with less waste than thermoset materials, such as synthetic rubber. Moreover, lifecycle assessments show that the production of Novoloop’s TPU emits significantly less carbon than that of fossil fuel-derived TPU. On's interest in Novoloop's technology centered on the promise of sustainability, and the sports brand soon learned that performance would not be a compromise. On put Novoloop’s TPU through a dozen rigorous tests to prove its potential as a high performance outsole. In abrasion testing, Novoloop’s TPU outperformed synthetic rubber, losing only 25 cubic millimeters in DIN abrasion. The TPU also exhibited at least 10% better wet grip than synthetic rubber – a difference felt by athletes in on-foot testing. “Our team is working hard to scale up our breakthrough process so that more footwear customers can realize the benefits of this innovative TPU. We are grateful to be part of creating Cloudprime. Working with On has been an exceptional experience, and we look forward to what we will achieve together in the future.” Novoloop CEO Miranda Wang About Novoloop Novoloop is an emerging leader in plastic circularity, transforming post-consumer plastic waste into performance materials. Headquartered in Menlo Park, California, the venture-backed startup has raised $25M and is building and scaling new technologies to reinvent the chemical value chain. With a vision to end the plastic catastrophe, Novoloop is transforming waste into applications for footwear, sporting goods, and automotive industries. About On On was born in the Swiss Alps with one goal: to revolutionize the sensation of running by empowering all to run on clouds. Twelve years after market launch, On delivers industry-disrupting innovation in premium footwear, apparel, and accessories for high-performance running, outdoor, and all-day activities. Fueled by customer recommendation, On’s award-winning CloudTec® innovation, purposeful design, and groundbreaking strides in sportswear’s circular economy have attracted a fast-growing global fan base inspiring humans to explore, discover and dream on.

Read More

CHEMICAL MANAGEMENT

Chromatic Announces Breakthrough Smooth-Mode Technology for Ultra-Smooth 3D-Printed Rubber Parts

Chromatic 3D Materials | September 22, 2022

Chromatic 3D Materials, a 3D-printing technology provider, has developed breakthrough Smooth-Mode technology for 3D printing of durable rubber parts with ultra-smooth surfaces at commercial volumes. Now, industrial manufacturers can 3D print smooth, high-quality polyurethane parts, such as seals, gaskets, grommets, bladders and other elastomeric products, with no post processing or surface finishing. "Sealing requires a smooth surface, but 3D-printed parts have always had layer lines or roughness. We have developed a way to easily and cost-effectively 3D print products that are ultra-smooth without additional steps. It's a breakthrough for 3D printing those professional applications that must be airtight and watertight," Dr. Cora Leibig, Chromatic CEO and founder Parts printed with Smooth-Mode technology have superior aesthetics as well as finer dimensional accuracy. For example, products can be printed with precise uniform thickness at submillimeter scale. Thus, the new technology is suitable for manufacturing rubber bladders and other elastomeric products that expand and contract. Chromatic's team of additive manufacturing experts first achieved ultra-smooth prints by fine-tuning the viscosity and surface tension of the company's printable thermoset polyurethane materials. "We developed a way to go beyond simply applying our reaction technology to FDM printing. Smooth-Mode uses chemistry to create an ultra-bonded and smooth part. We believe this printing technique delivers the world's smoothest printing along the Z, or height, axis," explained Dr. Bart Engendahl, Chromatic's managing director in Germany. Industrial manufacturers can take advantage of Smooth-Mode with Chromatic's RX-AM™ materials and technology platform. A 3-in-1 platform, RX-AM™ includes materials, software and hardware for deposition printing with reactive chemistry. RX-AM™, or Reactive Extrusion Additive Manufacturing, uses printable polyurethanes with Shore A hardness ranging from 50 to 90 as well as custom grades with varying colors, hardnesses and special properties. The platform is designed for printing commercial volumes. About Chromatic 3D Materials Chromatic 3D Materials is a 3D-printing technology company focused on more flexible, cost-effective and sustainable manufacturing of industrial-strength elastomeric products. Its portfolio includes printable polyurethanes and other thermoset elastomers for applications in transportation, industrial seals and gaskets, textiles, medical devices and defense. Chromatic's RX-AM™ materials and technology platform is based on Reactive Extrusion Additive Manufacturing, a type of deposition 3D printing that uses chemical reactions. Founded in 2016 by CEO Dr. Cora Leibig, Chromatic now has facilities in the US and Germany.

Read More

CHEMICAL TECHNOLOGY

Lithium Americas Enters Strategic Collaboration Agreement with Green Technology Metals

Lithium Americas | September 21, 2022

Lithium Americas Corp. is pleased to announce it has entered a Strategic Collaboration Agreement with Green Technology Metals Ltd. to advance a common goal of developing an integrated lithium chemical supply chain in North America. “The collaboration between the groups has already commenced alongside Primero Group, making the combination of hard rock lithium development and processing one of world-renowned experience that will continue the growth of both businesses. Both GT1 and Lithium Americas have the shared objective of building the pre-eminent vertically integrated lithium business in North America. With the recent passing of the IRA, and the substantial domestic battery minerals sourcing requirements this imposes on car manufacturers seeking to attract consumer tax credits for their vehicles, the value of this end goal has increased further again.” GT1’s Director, Cameron Henry In North America, Lithium Americas is focused on developing its 100%-owned Thacker Pass project in Humboldt County, Nevada. The Company has received all federal and state permits necessary to begin construction and awaits a ruling on an appeal filed against the Bureau of Land Management on the issuance of the Record of Decision. The Company is actively preparing to commence construction, including planning early-works construction for late 2022, finalizing the selection of an engineering, procurement and construction management firm, hiring lead construction and project management roles, advancing financing and offtake discussions, and progressing the U.S. Department of Energy Advanced Technology Vehicles Manufacturing loan program. ABOUT GREEN TECHNOLOGY METALS GT1 is a North American focused lithium exploration and development business. GT1’s Ontario Lithium Projects comprise high-grade, hard rock spodumene assets (Seymour, Root and Wisa) and lithium exploration claims (Allison and Solstice) located on highly prospective Archean Greenstone tenure in north-west Ontario, Canada. GT1’s strategy is to build a vertically integrated lithium business in Ontario. ABOUT LITHIUM AMERICAS Lithium Americas is focused on advancing lithium projects in Argentina and the United States to production. In Argentina, Caucharí-Olaroz is advancing towards first production and Pastos Grandes represents regional growth. In the United States, Thacker Pass has received its Record of Decision and is advancing towards construction. The Company trades on both the Toronto Stock Exchange and on the New York Stock Exchange, under the ticker symbol “LAC”.

Read More

CHEMICAL TECHNOLOGY

Novoloop Partners with On to Introduce World’s First Chemically Upcycled TPU Outsole in Cloudprime

Novoloop | September 23, 2022

Novoloop, an emerging leader in plastic circularity, announced its partnership with the Swiss sports brand On last night at an Elemental Excelerator event, as part of Climate Week in New York City. Novoloop’s thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) – the world’s first chemically upcycled TPU – is featured as the outsole for On’s newest carbon capture consortium shoe, Cloudprime. The achievement is the result of a two year-long joint development, in which both companies invested in creating a TPU made from an unconventional carbon feedstock originating from plastic waste. Having passed rigorous laboratory and athlete wear testing, Novoloop and On will begin scale-up planning to incorporate the chemically upcycled TPU into future products for mass production. “Saving the planet is a team sport,” says Caspar Coppetti, Co-Founder and Executive Co-Chairman of On. “We are excited to see what can happen in the future as we unlock the potential of alternative carbon sources with further research and in collaboration with the best partners, such as Novoloop.” On is committed to move away from petroleum-based materials in its products by accelerating the development of materials that are upcycled, bio-based or derived by carbon capture. Novoloop was founded by Miranda Wang and Jeanny Yao in 2015 with a mission to change the course of plastics for good. The company’s chemically upcycled TPU is created by breaking down post-consumer waste polyethylene – such as plastic bags, bubble wrap, and shampoo bottles – through the company’s patented Accelerated Thermal Oxidative Decomposition (ATOD™) technology. This chemical deconstruction turns trash that is difficult – or even impossible – to mechanically recycle into molecular building blocks which are re-synthesized, or upcycled, into TPU. The chemically upcycled TPU contains 35% post-consumer content and performs comparably to virgin TPU derived from fossil fuels. As a high-performance thermoplastic, it is recyclable and can be manufactured with less waste than thermoset materials, such as synthetic rubber. Moreover, lifecycle assessments show that the production of Novoloop’s TPU emits significantly less carbon than that of fossil fuel-derived TPU. On's interest in Novoloop's technology centered on the promise of sustainability, and the sports brand soon learned that performance would not be a compromise. On put Novoloop’s TPU through a dozen rigorous tests to prove its potential as a high performance outsole. In abrasion testing, Novoloop’s TPU outperformed synthetic rubber, losing only 25 cubic millimeters in DIN abrasion. The TPU also exhibited at least 10% better wet grip than synthetic rubber – a difference felt by athletes in on-foot testing. “Our team is working hard to scale up our breakthrough process so that more footwear customers can realize the benefits of this innovative TPU. We are grateful to be part of creating Cloudprime. Working with On has been an exceptional experience, and we look forward to what we will achieve together in the future.” Novoloop CEO Miranda Wang About Novoloop Novoloop is an emerging leader in plastic circularity, transforming post-consumer plastic waste into performance materials. Headquartered in Menlo Park, California, the venture-backed startup has raised $25M and is building and scaling new technologies to reinvent the chemical value chain. With a vision to end the plastic catastrophe, Novoloop is transforming waste into applications for footwear, sporting goods, and automotive industries. About On On was born in the Swiss Alps with one goal: to revolutionize the sensation of running by empowering all to run on clouds. Twelve years after market launch, On delivers industry-disrupting innovation in premium footwear, apparel, and accessories for high-performance running, outdoor, and all-day activities. Fueled by customer recommendation, On’s award-winning CloudTec® innovation, purposeful design, and groundbreaking strides in sportswear’s circular economy have attracted a fast-growing global fan base inspiring humans to explore, discover and dream on.

Read More

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