Day: 31 January 2024

EV Cars Batteries – But then, was Mr. Akio Toyoda (Chairman of Toyota) right who always repeats that the solution is not the electric car? 31-01-2024

EV Cars Batteries

Crude Oil Prices Trend 

Crude Oil Prices Trend by Polyestertime

Crude Oil Prices Trend by Polyestertime

Stefano Pigozzi joins the Board of Directors of Radici Partecipazioni SpA

This announcement outlines the appointment of Stefano Pigozzi to the Board of Directors of Radici Partecipazioni SpA, the parent company overseeing RadiciGroup’s business activities in the chemicals, engineering polymers, and advanced textile solutions sectors. The appointment is aimed at strengthening RadiciGroup’s presence in the European chemical market and supporting the company’s goals of innovation, growth, and sustainability.

Stefano Pigozzi joins the Board of Directors of Radici Partecipazioni SpA

Mr. Stefano Pigozzi- Radici Partecipazioni SpA

Stefano Pigozzi brings extensive experience in the chemical industry, having started his career in the finance division of BASF in the late 1980s. Throughout his more than 30-year career at BASF, he held various positions of increasing responsibility in marketing, sales, and strategic management.  EV Cars Batteries

His roles included president of the Monomers Division and head of the Group Global Purchasing Division at the Ludwigshafen headquarters. Pigozzi is recognized for his leadership capability, financial analysis skills, and contributions to positioning BASF as a global leader in the chemical industry.

The appointment is seen as a strategic move to enhance RadiciGroup’s capabilities and leadership in the market. Angelo Radici, the president of RadiciGroup, expressed confidence in Pigozzi’s international experience and deep understanding of the chemical industry, believing that his presence will bring significant added value to the pursuit of the company’s goals.  EV Cars Batteries

Stefano Pigozzi joins the Board of Directors of Radici Partecipazioni SpA

Mr. Angelo Radici Chairman of Radicigroup

Stefano Pigozzi, in his statement, expressed his honor in joining RadiciGroup and his excitement to contribute to the team during a time of both opportunity and challenge in the chemical industry. He emphasized his passion for chemistry and commitment to collaboration with the Board of Directors and the entire RadiciGroup team to achieve the company’s objectives in growth, innovation, and sustainability.  EV Cars Batteries

Stefano Pigozzi joins the Board of Directors of Radici Partecipazioni SpA

Radici-Chimica

Indorama Ventures, a global leader in Polyethylene Terephthalate (PET), Purified Terephthalic Acid (PTA), and Monoethylene Glycol (MEG) production, has temporarily halted PTA production in its Cilegon facility, Indonesia, for scheduled maintenance

This strategic initiative, running from mid-January to month-end, aims to ensure the long-term reliability and efficiency of the facility with an annual PTA production capacity of 500 thousand tons.

The decision aligns with the company’s proactive global production management strategy, responding to market dynamics. Indorama Ventures has already maintained reduced PTA production in Europe (Netherlands, Portugal, Spain) due to prevailing market conditions, emphasizing its adaptability.

Scheduled maintenance is a standard industry practice, allowing companies to address wear and tear, conduct upgrades, and ensure optimal equipment condition. The Cilegon closure enables thorough inspections, necessary repairs, and upgrades to enhance facility efficiency. EV Cars Batteries

Beyond practical necessity, the temporary shutdown reflects Indorama Ventures’ commitment to operational excellence and sustainability. Stakeholders, including employees and investors, closely monitor these developments. Indorama Ventures’ strategic approach emphasizes adaptability, demonstrating its commitment to optimizing production capabilities in line with global demand and ensuring the overall health of its operations.

EV Cars Batteries

But then, was Mr. Akio Toyoda (Chairman of Toyota) right who always repeats that the solution is not the electric car?

Stellantis Pro One, a pioneer in zero-emission solutions, is elevating its commitment to sustainable mobility by expanding its hydrogen fuel cell vehicle production in-house. This strategic move encompasses mid-size and large vans, contributing to Stellantis’ position as the dominant force in zero-emission commercial vehicles in Europe. The extensive Pro One commercial vehicle lineup now includes internal combustion engine, battery electric, hydrogen fuel cell, and range extender variants, showcasing the company’s dedication to diverse, eco-friendly solutions without compromising performance.

The hydrogen fuel cell vans, manufactured in Hordain (France) and Gliwice (Poland), offer an impressive range of 400 km (mid-size) and 500 km (large), with quick refueling times of 4-5 minutes. EV Cars Batteries

Stellantis Pro One, with over 40% market share in battery electric vehicles (BEVs) in Enlarged Europe, solidifies its leadership in commercial vehicles globally. As part of the Dare Forward 2030 strategic plan, zero-emissions vehicles are a cornerstone, aligning with Stellantis’ vision to become a carbon net-zero corporation by 2038.

Jean-Michel Billig, Stellantis Chief Technology Officer, emphasizes the company’s commitment to cutting-edge hydrogen technology and its availability to demanding customers. The expansion of fuel cell technology to mid-size and large vans demonstrates Stellantis’ dedication to maintaining its lead in the zero-emission commercial vehicle segment. EV Cars Batteries

Stellantis Pro One’s robust manufacturing footprint, advanced electrified propulsion technologies, and partnerships with hydrogen technology leaders position it as a key player in shaping the future of sustainable commercial transportation. With a suite of connected services and innovative autonomous solutions, Stellantis Pro One plays a pivotal role in achieving Dare Forward 2030 objectives, contributing to a greener and more efficient future for commercial vehicles.

EV Cars Batteries

Renault’s highly anticipated electric vehicle division, Ampere, has hit the brakes on its stock market debut, citing unfavorable market conditions

Originally set for the first half of 2024, the IPO has been delayed again, as revealed in a company statement emphasizing the decision’s alignment with the best interests of Groupe Renault, its shareholders, and Ampere. Despite CEO Luca De Meo’s assurance just in November of Ampere’s readiness to capitalize on the European electric vehicle market’s growth, current circumstances have prompted a rethink.

Hopes at Boulogne-Billancourt pinned the new electric project’s valuation at around 8 billion euros, with a projected 10 billion euro turnover by 2025. However, UBS analysts estimate Ampere’s value to be no more than 4 billion euros.

Renault’s case mirrors a broader trend in the global electric vehicle market, which has experienced a turbulent start to the year. EV Cars Batteries

Eurogroup Laminations, a leading electric motor components manufacturer, witnessed a sharp decline in shares following its February 2023 debut on Piazza Affari.

Tesla, BYD, and Lucid Motors have also faced setbacks, with Tesla’s financial results dropping by 23% in January and growth forecasts impacting investor confidence.

The sector’s potential paralysis without state incentives looms large, underscoring the challenges facing electric vehicle manufacturers on the international stage.

EV Cars Batteries

Paques builds PHA extraction demo plant in Northern Netherlands

Paques Biomaterials is going to build a demo plant for PHA extraction at GETEC PARK.EMMEN, in the Northern Netherlands. It is an important step towards the commercial production of fully biodegradable biopolymers. The plant is scheduled to be operational by 2023. EV Cars Batteries

Paques Biomaterials has successfully developed a process to produce a fully biodegradable biopolymer from organic waste streams: polyhydroxyalkanoate (PHA). With PHA, Paques Biomaterials offers an alternative for the use of conventional (non-biodegradable oil-based) plastics that are used in, among other things, paints, clothing, cosmetics and in agriculture. In this way Paques Biomaterials offers a fully circular solution for the future.

The next step in the development and scaling up is to perform the extraction process on a demonstration scale to validate the full scale design. Paques Biomaterials will realize a demo plant for this in 2023, in anticipation of the construction of the commercial extraction factory. EV Cars Batteries

The final investment decision for this is expected in 2024.

More…

Paques builds PHA extraction demo plant in Northern Netherlands

Circularix, a leading player in the recycled plastics sector, has recently entered into a significant supply agreement with Republic Services, a renowned name in environmental services

The collaboration aims to propel the circularity of recycled Polyethylene Terephthalate (PET), marking a crucial stride in fostering sustainability and curbing the environmental impact of plastics, particularly in consumer packaging.

Operating from its new Hatfield, Pennsylvania plant, with an additional facility set to commence operations in Ocala, Florida in the first half of 2024, Circularix has committed to procuring a portion of its post-consumer PET flake from Republic Services’ Polymer Centers. This collaboration aligns with the timing of increased commitments from beverage brands and Consumer Packaged Goods (CPG) companies to boost the utilization of recycled materials. EV Cars Batteries

Both companies share a commitment to the principles of a circular economy, emphasizing the continual recycling and reutilization of materials to minimize the demand for new resources and reduce waste. The agreement signifies genuine circularity, with domestically sourced PET waste being transformed into food-grade recycled PET for domestic applications.

Leon Farahnik, CEO of Circularix, expressed enthusiasm for the collaboration, highlighting their dedication to sustainable practices and the joint effort with Republic Services to enhance domestic recycling capabilities. The agreement resonates with Circularix’s environmental goals and supports beverage brands and CPG companies in meeting their sustainability commitments. EV Cars Batteries

Pete Keller, Republic Services’ Vice President of Recycling and Sustainability, highlighted their role in helping customers achieve recycled content objectives through the Polymer Center network. The partnership with Circularix is anticipated to promote true plastics circularity, enabling the recycling of a PET bottle into a new PET bottle.

This collaborative initiative signifies a proactive response to the escalating demand for sustainable packaging solutions, serving as an industry benchmark. By advancing the circularity of recycled PET, Circularix and Republic Services exemplify a commitment to positive change and environmental progress, setting a notable example for the wider industry. EV Cars Batteries

Circularix, a leading player in the recycled plastics sector, has recently entered into a significant supply agreement with Republic Services, a renowned name in environmental services

Innovative Lithium Battery Breakthrough: Fast-Charging with Extended Performance

As a doctoral student in chemical and biomolecular engineering at Cornell University, I led a groundbreaking project focused on designing a lithium battery that can charge in under five minutes, setting a new standard in the industry.

Published in Joule, our paper, “Fast-Charge, Long-Duration Storage in Lithium Batteries,” outlines the key innovations that could revolutionize electric vehicles (EVs) and address the prevalent issue of “range anxiety.” EV Cars Batteries

Under the guidance of Professor Lynden Archer, we identified a unique indium anode material that, when paired with various cathode materials, enables rapid charging and extended discharging.

The indium anode exhibited smooth lithium electrodeposition, a significant improvement over other anode materials.

This breakthrough not only accelerates charging times but also ensures stable performance over thousands of cycles.

Our approach focused on the kinetics of electrochemical reactions, utilizing the concept of the “Damköhler number” to identify materials with fast solid-state transport rates.

Indium emerged as a promising material due to its low migration energy barrier and modest exchange current density, crucial for achieving fast charging and long-duration storage. EV Cars Batteries

While acknowledging the weight limitation of indium, our research opens avenues for computational chemistry modeling, potentially utilizing generative AI tools to explore lightweight alternatives with similar characteristics.

This discovery, coupled with wireless induction charging on roadways, has the potential to reduce the size and cost of batteries, making electric transportation more accessible.

Collaborating with esteemed professors and fellow researchers, our work received support from the U.S. Department of Energy Basic Energy Sciences Program and utilized the Cornell Center for Materials Research, funded by the National Science Foundation’s Materials Research Science and Engineering Center program.

Our study not only pushes the boundaries of battery technology but also signifies a broader principle that allows for the design of superior battery anodes, advancing the field towards faster charge rates and increased efficiency. EV Cars Batteries

Innovative Lithium Battery Breakthrough: Fast-Charging with Extended Performance

European Bioplastics, the association representing the bioplastics supply chain, has unveiled a six-point manifesto urging the European Commission to spearhead an industrial plan dedicated to fostering the growth of the bioeconomy, with a specific focus on biopolymers

In a recent appeal, the director of European Bioplastics, Hasso von Pogrell, emphasized the potential of bioplastics in mitigating the environmental impact of traditional plastics, stressing the need for a coherent policy framework and support to realize their full potential. EV Cars Batteries

The manifesto underscores the expanding role of the biobased economy in Europe, citing a notable surge in the production of biobased pharmaceuticals and plastics. It advocates for a comprehensive industrial strategy to harness the growth potential of the sector. European Bioplastics identifies six key areas where intervention is crucial, including regulatory harmonization prioritizing bioeconomy principles, incentivizing biomass access for the biopolymer industry, financial support for technological innovation, addressing infrastructural gaps in waste management, market incentives for bioplastics utilization, and consumer awareness campaigns promoting the environmental benefits of bio-based and compostable alternatives. EV Cars Batteries

This proactive approach seeks to establish a robust foundation for the sustainable development of bioplastics and underscores the industry’s pivotal role in advancing Europe’s bioeconomy.

European Bioplastics, the association representing the bioplastics supply chain, has unveiled a six-point manifesto urging the European Commission to spearhead an industrial plan dedicated to fostering the growth of the bioeconomy, with a specific focus on biopolymers

Sustainable material – CEAT Ltd, the tire manufacturer, is strategically positioning itself to capitalize on the surge in passenger vehicle (PV) sales in India, anticipating a subsequent rise in demand for replacement tires 30-01-2024

EV Cars Batteries