Chemical Technology

NuMat Technologies and Sumitomo Chemical Announce Partnership to Develop Chemical Separation Technologies to Drive Industrial Carbon Neutrality

NuMat Technologies, Incorporated  today announced a partnership with Sumitomo Chemical Co., Ltd. to develop sustainable chemical separation technologies that can efficiently and dramatically reduce the carbon emissions and carbon footprint required to produce critical chemicals used in key sectors of the global economy.

Traditional chemical separation processes require substantial energy to operate, and significant capital investment. The drive for energy-efficient and cost-effective alternatives is of critical importance to achieve carbon emission reduction objectives outlined in the Paris Climate Agreement. Through this collaboration, both companies will apply their world-class expertise in advanced separation and precision-engineered materials to develop novel solutions that can displace incumbent technologies longer-term, while working towards near-term commercial targets.

NuMat is a platform chemistry design company, innovating at the intersection of high-performance computing, data engineering and chemistry to deliver transformational solutions to the chemicals, industrials, electronics and life-science sectors. A pioneer in the field of Programmable Chemistries, including Metal-Organic Frameworks, NuMat takes a precision-medicine approach to chemistry – tailor designing materials to solve big challenges at the smallest possible level.

"We're proud to partner with Sumitomo Chemical in unleashing the potential of Programmable Chemistries to address complex sustainability challenges in the chemicals industry," stated Ben Hernandez, Founder and Chief Executive Officer at NuMat Technologies. "Sumitomo Chemical and NuMat are joined by a shared mission to use chemistry in solving the problems that matter, and I’m excited at the innovation opportunities our collaboration can unlock."

Sumitomo Chemical, a leading Japanese chemical company, was founded with a mission to drive societal impact and solve environmental challenges through technology. They have been exploring new opportunities to achieve carbon neutrality by 2050.

"We are pleased to tackle the emission reduction challenges in the chemical industry with NuMat. This partnership is aligned with our carbon neutral strategy and intentions. We are looking forward to exploring the synergies from working with NuMat, allowing us to accelerate and enhance the discovery, development and delivery of innovative separation solutions that require less energy." said Junpei Tsuji, Associate Officer, General Manager of Research Planning and Coordination Department at Sumitomo Chemical.

About NuMat Technologies, Incorporated
NuMat is a chemistry design company, innovating at the intersection of high-performance computing, data engineering and chemistry to deliver transformational solutions to the chemicals, industrials, electronics and life-science sectors. A pioneer in field of Programmable Chemistries including Metal-Organic Frameworks ("MOFs), NuMat programs materials to uniquely interact with target molecules at the atomic level, and then integrates these materials into next-generation encapsulation, separation and catalytic solutions. NuMat provides a total solutions platform for product commercialization, pairing world-class material discovery software with application development and manufacturing expertise.

About Sumitomo Chemical Company Limited
Sumitomo Chemical, was founded in 1913 and is one of Japan's leading chemical companies with global sales of nearly $21 Billion. The company operates worldwide in such diverse business sectors as Petrochemicals & Plastics, Energy & Functional Materials, IT-related Chemicals, Health & Crop Sciences, and Pharmaceuticals. The Sumitomo Chemical Group will continue to create and provide solutions that can contribute to achieving a sustainable society by capitalizing on a wide array of technologies that it has cultivated as a diversified chemical company operating in its extensive areas of business.

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Chemical Management

Charter Next Generation Launches GreenArrow™ Cavitated Recycle-Ready PE Films For Confectionery Applications Using Void Technologies'

Charter Next Generation | January 30, 2024

Charter Next Generation (CNG), a leading provider of sustainable films, announced that it has expanded its GreenArrow portfolio with a new line of cavitated polyethylene (PE) films. Developed in collaboration with VOID Technologies (VOID), the new recycle-ready films meet the rapidly growing demand for flow wrap and confectionery applications. Using VOID's patented VO+™ PE Voiding Agent Masterbatch and Machine Direction Orientation (MDO) film processing, CNG has successfully developed high-performing PE film structures that are opaque yet compatible with existing PE recycling streams making more packaging suitable for recycling. Adoption of MDO PE film is a rapidly growing industry trend as it enables recyclable, high-performing flexible packaging. By using VO+ Masterbatch, CNG can now produce thin gauge voided MDO PE films that offer a combination of low density and high opacity not achievable with mineral additives such as TiO2 pigments or CaCO3 cavitation agents. This innovation creates a unique PE-based recycle-ready alternative to conventional PP-based substrates that often require biaxial orientation. "CNG continues to raise the bar and re-invent packaging with a sustainability-first mindset. Using VOID's patented VO+ technology enables us to achieve the high opacity, ease of processing, and recycle-ready performance we are targeting for these films. This in turn allows our customers to reduce their use of virgin materials and process their packaging in existing polyethylene film recycling streams," said Brent Greiner, Vice-President of Technology at Charter Next Generation. The VO+ PE Masterbatch is added to PE resin to create nano and micro-scale voids, reducing density and creating high levels of opacity via light scattering through the voided structure. VOID's latest VO+ PE Masterbatch product is compliant with direct food contact standards in North America and Europe and has passed key recycling standards. James Gibson, CEO of VOID Technologies, commented, "CNG is a highly innovative and forward-thinking company. We are delighted with this collaboration and to be part of launching this new generation of recycle-ready voided PE films. As we look to the future, we are excited to be working with CNG across a range of projects that directly address sustainability and recycling targets." About Charter Next Generation Charter Next Generation (CNG) is North America's leading producer of highly engineered solutions used in the food, consumer, healthcare, and industrial markets. Committed to a sustainability-first approach, CNG leverages material science to engineer materials that help companies meet and exceed their sustainability goals. Known for world-class manufacturing capabilities and an innovation-driven approach, CNG operates fifteen facilities and employs over 2,200 employees and is a proud partner of Ownership Works®—a nonprofit partnering with companies to enable shared ownership, granting employees a stake in the value they create. About VOID Technologies VOID is a materials science company accelerating the transition to more sustainable plastics and packaging. The company combines its VO+ cavitation technology and R&D labs to help plastic and packaging companies rapidly develop new innovative products with a reduced environmental footprint. VOID's extensively patented VO+ technology was first conceived as part of a research initiative at Kimberly-Clark. Soon after, in 2015, VOID was launched as an independent company. Today, VOID has R&D labs and a compound manufacturing facility based in Neenah, Wisconsin (USA) and has commercial teams in Canada, France, and the UK.

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Chemical Management

LyondellBasell & MSI Technology, LLC Collaborate on Innovative Consumer Packaging

LyondellBasell | February 02, 2024

LyondellBasell and MSI Technology, LLC announced they have entered into an agreement for MSI Technology to serve the LyondellBasell Polybutene-1 (PB-1) resin line into consumer packaging applications for North America. MSI Technology is also the sales representative for the LyondellBasell Plexar product line. The expansion of the relationship is a strategic fit relative to the markets MSI Technology serves today. MSI Technology will use its technical sales approach combined with its current specialty product portfolio to enhance offerings to customers in consumer packaging. LyondellBasell PB-1 resins are commonly used in consumer packaging applications for easy-open packaging and film modification for seal initiation temperature providing Broad seal-peel temperature range Consistent and reproducible peel performance Adjustable peel force to end-use requirements Similar initiation and propagation peel force "Whitening" with "Smooth & Clean" peel surface Good seal integrity Easy processability Usable in blown film, cast film, extrusion coating and sheet extrusion "At LyondellBasell, we're passionate about creating solutions for everyday sustainable living," said Palmer Giddings, vice president Polymers at LyondellBasell. "Collaborating with MSI Technology on innovative packaging solutions is a major step forward in achieving that goal." "We are thrilled to expand our collaboration with LyondellBasell," said Brian McCaghy, president of MSI Technology. "The PB-1 resins align perfectly with our mission to provide specialty polymers and solutions to the packaging industry." The PB-1 resin line is part of MSI Technology's product offerings. The company also provides clients with access to dedicated sales and technical service specialists who provide guidance on technical resin selection to meet customer requirements. About LyondellBasell We are LyondellBasell – a leader in the global chemical industry creating solutions for everyday sustainable living. Through advanced technology and focused investments, we are enabling a circular and low carbon economy. Across all we do, we aim to unlock value for our customers, investors and society. As one of the world's largest producers of polymers and a leader in polyolefin technologies, we develop, manufacture and market high-quality and innovative products for applications ranging from sustainable transportation and food safety to clean water and quality healthcare. About MSI Technology, LLC MSI Technology specializes in the sales, marketing, and development of specialty polymers. Our product lines include: Plexar tie-layer adhesives (manufactured by LyondellBasell), SPS peelable sealants, and SpeciPurge purging compound. MSI Technology and its sister company, Soarus LLC, are located in Arlington Heights, IL. Soarus markets Soarnol™), ethylene vinyl alcohol copolymer (EVOH), (manufactured by Mitsubishi Chemical Group) into North and Latin America. The two companies together provide sales and technical service for specialty polymers focused on the packaging market.

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