Nylon – Unifi has introduced a new white filament yarn under its Repreve brand, designed for home textiles like comforters and pillows 24-08-2024
Unifi has introduced a new white filament yarn under its Repreve brand, designed for home textiles like comforters and pillows
This yarn is made from 100% recycled polyester, with at least 50% derived from textile waste. Despite its recycled origins, the yarn maintains virgin-quality standards and can be dyed using conventional methods. It can also be enhanced with Unifi’s performance technologies, offering anti-odor, moisture-wicking, and stretch features.
This innovation is made possible by Unifi’s proprietary Textile Takeback technology.
The Repreve yarn is unique in being traceable through FiberPrint technology and is certified by U-Trust, Oeko-Tex, GRS, and SCS for its recycled content, ensuring its sustainability. Nylon
Unifi’s CEO, Eddie Ingle, emphasized the significance of this development, stating that polyester is the world’s most widely used fiber, and this innovation marks a step toward transformative change in the industry. The new product allows textile brands to focus on the entire product life cycle, helping them meet their 2030 environmental goals. Unifi aims to lead the industry with sustainable products that reduce reliance on virgin materials and lower carbon emissions. Nylon
This new yarn offers a solution that aligns with the growing demand for eco-friendly materials, pushing the industry toward a more sustainable future.
LyondellBasell to Acquire APK AG Recycling Technology
APK’s solvent-based recycling technology fits with LYB’s existing mechanical and advanced recycling technologies.
LYB aims to increase the recycling of hard-to-recycle flexible plastic waste materials, which make up the majority of mixed plastic waste from consumers. Nylon
LyondellBasell (LYB) has entered into an agreement to acquire full ownership of APK AG in Merseburg, Germany. The acquisition positions LYB to grow and upgrade its Circular and Low Carbon Solutions business.
LYB believes APK’s solvent-based recycling technology is a perfect fit with its already existing mechanical and advanced recycling technologies. It has already invested in the company in the past and made collaborative efforts to bring the technology to scale. By acquiring APK, LYB secures the future of the company after it entered into insolvency at the end of May 2024. Nylon
“We see APK’s solvent based recycling technology as a vital addition and complementary to our existing and future mechanical and advanced recycling operations. This is an important further step toward reaching our goal to produce and market at least 2 million metric tons of recycled and renewable based polymers annually by 2030,” said Yvonne van der Laan, executive vice president, Circular and Low Carbon Solutions at LyondellBasell.
Polyamide 6 and 6,6 Production in Europe: Could It Follow the Path of Polyethylene Terephthalate?
Polyamide 6 and 6,6 are vital to Europe’s industrial sector, primarily in automotive, textiles, and packaging. However, there is growing concern that Europe might lose its production capacity for these materials, much like it did with polyethylene terephthalate (PET), where China now dominates global supply. Nylon
Recent data indicates that while European production of polyamide 6 and 6,6 remains strong, the industry faces significant pressures. High energy costs, stringent environmental regulations, and increasing labor expenses in Europe are making domestic production less competitive. On the other hand, China benefits from lower production costs, substantial state investments, and a rapidly growing chemical industry infrastructure. Nylon
The risk is compounded by China’s aggressive expansion in polyamide production, aiming to meet both domestic demand and international markets. Should this trend continue, Europe could see a decline in its polyamide production, similar to what occurred with PET.
The shift towards China-centric production could lead to increased dependency on imports, posing risks to European industries relying on a steady polyamide supply. Policymakers and industry leaders must consider strategies to retain production capacity in Europe, including investment in sustainable production technologies, fostering innovation, and reconsidering trade policies. Nylon
In conclusion, while Europe still maintains significant polyamide production, the threat of China dominating the market is real, and proactive measures are crucial to prevent a repeat of the PET scenario.
Anhui Haoyuan Chemical Group has begun test runs of the first phase of its 400,000-ton-per-year nylon 66 polymer plant, successfully producing its first output
This phase is part of a larger nylon 66 project located in the Coal-Based New Materials Industrial Park within the Fuyang Yingdong Economic Development Zone. The project, which started construction in 2022, includes several key units: a 270,000-ton-per-year nitric acid unit, a 240,000-ton-per-year cyclohexanol unit, a 320,000-ton-per-year adipic acid unit, and the 400,000-ton-per-year nylon 66 polymer unit, along with supporting infrastructure. Nylon
The company is utilizing advanced technology from the American firm Invista, which reduces energy consumption by 10% compared to conventional methods, while maintaining high product quality. Zhang Chao, Assistant General Manager of Anhui Haoyuan Chemical Group, highlighted that this development marks a significant shift for the company from traditional coal-based chemical processes to innovative new materials chemistry.
Upon the project’s completion, Anhui Haoyuan expects to generate 16 billion yuan in sales revenue and 1.6 billion yuan in profit, reflecting the project’s substantial economic impact. The successful startup of phase I demonstrates the company’s commitment to advancing in the new materials sector and enhancing its market position.
Comprehensive poster on biodegradable polymers in various environments in a new version
The world’s leading poster on biodegradability has been updated by the nova team of experts: current standards and certifications as well as the latest scientific findings Nylon
The biodegradation of a material is a process that depends on the complex biological conditions at each site. In addition, only a handful of polymers have the inherent ability to biodegrade in different environments. Therefore, specific standards and certificates have been developed in recent years to provide a framework for declaring whether or not a product can biodegrade in an environment. Scientific verification and certification of the communication of environmental claims is becoming increasingly important under the Green Claims Directive. Biodegradability is one environmental claim that will need to be verified by third party certification. Nylon
In order to improve the understanding of biodegradation and biodegradability and their certification, a group of experts came together a few years ago to develop a poster showing which polymers biodegrade in which environments according to established standards and certification schemes. This group includes experts from the nova Institute (Germany) together with a number of leading experts from Normec OWS (Belgium), Hydra Marine Science (Italy/Germany), IKT Stuttgart (Germany), Wageningen University & Research (The Netherlands) and in cooperation with DIN CERTCO (Germany) and TÜV AUSTRIA (Austria/Belgium). Nylon
The expert group met again this year to discuss the latest scientific evidence in the field of biodegradable polymers in order to make meaningful changes to the poster. The generic classification on the poster is only supported by tests performed in the context of certification.
Trex-led PE Recycling Alliance Reports Phenomenal Growth
In just two years, the initiative that collects PE waste for use in wood-alternative composite decks and railings has seen a 227% increase in participation.
An alliance to turn polyethylene (PE) waste into wood-alternative composites has seen a 227% increase in participation since its launch two years ago by Trex Co.
The NexTrex Grassroots Movement is a collaboration among businesses, municipalities, educational institutions, and other organizations nationwide to source material for Trex composite decking and railing. Nylon
Trex products are made primarily from recycled and reclaimed content, including wood scrap and PE film.
Millions of pounds of PE waste recovered
Providing more than 70 drop-off locations throughout the United States, Grassroots partners have recovered more than three million pounds of PE waste. Nylon
Organizations that don’t meet the volume requirements of Trex’s commercial recycling program serve as community drop-off locations for a broad range of PE film materials, from grocery bags and newspaper sleeves to bubble wrap, shrink wrap, and more.
Trex pays partners for collected film waste
Participants are supplied with equipment to collect and bale that film waste.
Nylon