Man-made yarns – Ecodesign: EU one step closer to making sustainable products the norm 08-12-2023

Man-made yarns

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Crude Oil Prices Trend by Polyestertime

Fulgar, a Milan-based center of excellence in the production of man-made yarns, stands at the forefront of environmental responsibility with its revolutionary product, Amni Soul Eco

This innovative bio-degradable polyamide yarn, launched in 2014 in collaboration with the Rhodia-Solvay Group, has undergone further refinement, affirming its ability to rapidly decompose in marine environments without compromising on performance.

In response to the pressing challenges of environmental sustainability, Fulgar emphasizes the need for unprecedented action by governments, companies, and consumers alike. Microplastics, a burgeoning threat measuring less than five millimeters, result from the degradation of plastics and pose a serious risk to marine fauna and biodiversity. Fulgar takes a pioneering stance by producing biodegradable materials, such as Amni Soul Eco, which decompose twenty times faster in marine environments compared to conventional synthetic yarns.  Man-made yarns

Fulgar’s commitment to sustainability extends beyond the product itself. Amni Soul Eco is designed with a focus on reducing environmental impact during production, incorporating water recycling and greenhouse gas reduction treatments. The yarn’s bio-degradable component ensures rapid decomposition in both marine and soil environments, as confirmed by tests adhering to ASTM D5511 and ASTM D6691 standards.

This high-performance yarn has gained recognition from prestigious brands like Herno, Colmar, and Save the Duck, solidifying its reliability and versatility in the fashion industry. Amni Soul Eco not only meets the demands of eco-conscious consumers but also redefines standards without compromising style and performance. Man-made yarns

Fulgar’s proactive approach to sustainability aligns with the evolving market for ecological yarns, providing client companies with viable solutions to achieve their own sustainability objectives.

Amni Soul Eco’s technical specifications include compliance with Oeko-TEX STD 100 CLASS I Appendix 6 certification, ensuring data transparency in line with the Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) model. This model identifies and implements improvements that make both the product and production processes more sustainable. Fulgar invites the textile industry to seize this unique opportunity for real environmental impact reduction.

Linde has recently disclosed a significant augmentation in the production capacity of liquid hydrogen at its facility situated in McIntosh, Alabama

This enhancement enables the McIntosh facility to generate a noteworthy 30 tons per day of liquid hydrogen, primarily catering to the local merchant market.

The augmented capacity is in direct response to the escalating demand for hydrogen across various sectors, such as manufacturing and electronics, both from Linde’s existing customer base and potential new clients.

Moreover, the facility will play a crucial role in supplying hydrogen to Linde’s customers engaged in space launch activities and mobility solutions.  Man-made yarns

This expansion aligns seamlessly with Linde’s pre-existing hydrogen operations in the southeastern United States, contributing to an increased network density within the region.

The company has invested a substantial sum of approximately $90 million in this venture, signifying its commitment to meeting the burgeoning hydrogen needs in the market.

Todd Lawson, Vice President East Region at Linde, emphasized the company’s decade-long commitment to fortifying its hydrogen production and supply network in the U.S., solidifying Linde’s position as the largest supplier of liquid hydrogen in the country.

Lawson expressed pride in the successful and timely initiation of this project, attributing it to Linde’s technological prowess and operational expertise.  Man-made yarns

As the demand for liquid hydrogen continues its upward trajectory, Linde is poised to leverage its accumulated knowledge and cutting-edge technology to meet these evolving market requirements. This strategic move not only bolsters Linde’s market presence but also underscores its dedication to fostering sustainable solutions and innovation in the hydrogen sector.

Ecodesign: EU one step closer to making sustainable products the norm

In a noteworthy development, Trinseo, a major player in the polystyrene market, is implementing a significant reduction in the prices of polystyrene across Europe for the month of December

The company, known for its diverse range of polystyrene grades, is strategically revising its pricing strategy by lowering costs for all grades of polystyrene intended for general use (GPPS) and crystal applications (HIPS). This price adjustment spans across popular brands such as Styron, Styron A-Tech, and C-Tech.  Man-made yarns

Trinseo has communicated that the reduction in prices amounts to a substantial 90 euros per ton. This move is indicative of the company’s commitment to maintaining competitive pricing and adapting to market dynamics. Notably, this marks the second consecutive reduction in prices, following a previous cut of 125 euros per ton announced in November. The successive nature of these adjustments underscores the company’s responsiveness to market trends and its proactive approach in managing pricing structures.

The impact of this price drop extends across the entire spectrum of polystyrene grades, emphasizing Trinseo’s broad commitment to providing cost-effective solutions for various applications.

The affected grades include those catering to general use (GPPS) as well as crystal grades (HIPS). The price cut applies uniformly to products marketed under well-known brands such as Styron, Styron A-Tech, and C-Tech, further emphasizing the comprehensive nature of this strategic pricing move.  Man-made yarns

Trinseo’s decision to implement these price reductions aligns with the company’s objective of enhancing competitiveness, fostering market accessibility, and maintaining a dynamic response to evolving economic conditions. The consecutive reductions in November and December showcase Trinseo’s agility in navigating market fluctuations and its dedication to delivering value to its customers in the polystyrene segment.

Synthos signs a Memorandum of Understanding with Kumho Tire to jointly develop sustainable tire raw materials

Kumho Tire chooses Synthos as one of its key partners for sustainable development and seals the partnership during a ceremony in South Korea.

Synthos, a leading global producer of synthetic rubber, has announced the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Kumho Tire, a leading South Korean tire manufacturer, for the joint development of sustainable tire raw materials.

Under the MOU, the two companies will conduct a joint research and development project for Neodymium-Butadiene rubber using Bio-Butadiene and expand the use of environmentally friendly synthetic rubber in tire manufacturing.

Dr. Malte Wohlfahrt, R&D Director, Synthos Synthetic Rubber, emphasized the importance of collaboration in the research and development of sustainable rubber and tire materials. “We are very pleased to be selected as one of Kumho Tire’s key partners to strengthen its efforts to develop environmentally friendly tires. Man-made yarns

We strongly believe that we have the best chance to contribute to net zero mobility if we can work together with industry leaders like Kumho Tire, who has already produced tires made from 55% sustainable raw materials in 2022 and is currently developing tires made from 80% sustainable raw materials that will be launched by the end of 2023. Kumho Tire’s impressive experience in developing tires with a lower carbon footprint combined with Synthos’ extensive expertise in sustainable synthetic rubber will enable further carbon footprint reduction towards our shared goal of carbon neutrality by 2050.”

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Critical raw materials? In an electric car you need 207 kilos

A comprehensive study conducted by Intesa Sanpaolo, as presented in the ‘Med & Italian Energy Report 2023,’ sheds light on the weighty matter of minerals required for this paradigm shift. The study not only emphasizes the quantities involved but also addresses the geographical concentration of crucial minerals, highlighting potential challenges for Europe.  Man-made yarns

The sheer weight of the matter is evident in the fact that an electric car necessitates an average of 207 kilograms of diverse minerals, such as graphite, copper, cobalt, nickel, rare earths, lithium, and manganese. This stands in stark contrast to the 33.6 kilograms required for a traditional internal combustion engine vehicle, marking a sixfold increase. The report, presented to the European Parliament by the SRM study center linked to the Intesa Sanpaolo group, underscores the significance of CRM in the transition.

The distinction between critical raw materials and rare earths is pivotal in the study. While rare earths like Scandium, Yttrium, and Lanthanum find marginal use in the automotive sector, the primary focus is on critical raw materials. Solar photovoltaics, wind turbines, lithium-ion batteries, and electric motors are also examined for their mineral requirements. For instance, offshore wind turbines demand nine times more CRM than a conventional gas plant.  Man-made yarns

Director General of the SRM, Massimo Deandreis, raises concerns about the territorial concentration of key minerals, such as lithium, cobalt, copper, and rare earths. He emphasizes that Europe’s reliance on specific regions exposes the European Union to geopolitical risks, necessitating strategic planning to mitigate these challenges.

The report elucidates the global distribution of these critical minerals, with significant shares located in countries like Congo, Australia, China, and South Africa. The Mediterranean region, including European countries, is notably deficient in these resources, except for Morocco, which ranks among the top three global producers of phosphorus.  Man-made yarns

In response to these challenges, the European Union has proposed the Critical Raw Materials Act in 2023. This legislative framework aims to secure a safe and sustainable supply of critical raw materials, outlining objectives such as 10% of annual EU consumption covered by internal extraction, 40% by internal processing, 15% by internal recycling, and a cap of 65% covered by a single third country. As Europe strives to meet its 2050 objectives, the study underscores the imperative of addressing CRM dependencies for a successful energy transition.

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Man-made yarns