Zeppelin Systems expands its plant engineering expertise

Zeppelin Systems expands its plant engineering expertiseZeppelin Systems is a global leader in plant engineering for handling high-quality bulk materials. With over 70 years of experience in the individual process steps and extensive know-how in handling the various raw materials, Zeppelin Systems offers reliable complete solutions. At 22 locations worldwide, the company supports its customers from plant design to implementation and provides all services from a single source. Here, innovative process concepts are just as important as smart automation solutions and a full range service that covers the entire life cycle of a plant.

With a broadly based portfolio, Zeppelin Systems serves not only a wide range of market segments
but first and foremost, diverse customer groups with its high level of expertise in plant engineering.
The company has a reputation as an expert in the handling of solid as well as liquid raw materials
and primarily covers the process steps of storing, conveying, weighing, dosing and mixing in various industries.

”Our broad portfolio offers our customers security for long-term investments. With the majority shareholding in KITZMANN, we have secured in-depth expert knowledge, especially in the field of performance materials, and can offer our customers even better plant concepts,” explains Rochus Hofmann, Managing Director of Zeppelin Systems.

The owner-managed Magdalena KITZMANN GmbH company optimally complements the portfolio
of the plant manufacturer not only through its correspondingly high-quality standards, but above all
by providing optimal support to the PVC and chemical applications market segments through the
new partnership. As a specialist for customized and process-safe complete plants, KITZMANN
stands for reproducibility along with functional and operational reliability. The 360° range of services includes engineering through to commissioning of individual components as well as manufacturing turnkey plants for liquid or solid handling.

Companies from the plastics industry, the chemical industry and the food industry regularly benefit from the individual process engineering plants – made in Germany. Originally a handicraft business, KITZMANN has developed into a plant manufacturer through continuous growth in the years following its foundation and has now been operating successfully on the market for almost 50 years.

Zeppelin Systems’ participation in the company strengthens its own market share in the field of
PVC applications. Despite the takeover, KITZMANN remains an independent company and
continues to be managed in equal parts by Dipl.-Ing.

Albrecht Gräfe and his son Dipl.-CEO Nico Gräfe. KITZMANN will continue to serve its customers from its Lengerich location. Previously active primarily in the German and neighboring European markets, Zeppelin Systems gives the company the backing it needs for global growth.

https://www.zeppelin.com/de-de/

Solvay to Supply Avio with Advanced Materials for Space Exploration

Solvay has signed a long-term agreement with Avio to supply advanced composite and adhesive materials for demanding applications in aerospace.

Solvay and Avio SpA have signed a long-term agreement for the supply of composite and adhesive materials
to be used across a range of programs including the Vega space programs, the European Space Agency’s
satellite launch vehicles designed to send payloads into low Earth orbit (LEO).

Solvay will supply Avio with ablative material, RTM resins and adhesives. Solvay has a strong legacy in the
space market and has long been a leader in ablative materials for space applications, such as nozzles and exit
cones. Solvay’s products have been used across many space launch programs over the years, thanks to their
ability to withstand the extremely high temperatures produced by the rocket motor exhaust.

Avio has over 50 years of history designing, developing, producing and integrating space launchers for placing
institutional, governmental and commercial payloads in earth orbit through its Vega rocket family.

“We are excited to extend our partnership with industry leader Avio and continue to support Vega critical
missions,” explained Carmelo Lo Faro, president of Solvay’s Materials Segment. “We are all currently seeing
renewed enthusiasm and investment in the global space race and we believe that our advanced materials will
be key enablers for space exploration, space tourism and also the launch placement of satellite constellations.
We helped put the first man on the moon and will be there for the first woman on Mars!”

“The Long Term Agreement strengthens the relationship between our companies. It also secures the supply to
AVIO of strategic products for VEGA family launchers in the upcoming years, when the demand of launchers
to place satellites into LEO orbits is expected to increase,” adds Sergio Colabucci, AVIO Procurement Director.

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PrintCYC provides important input for design for recycling guidelines

Research evaluates the impact of printing inks on the recyclability of plastic films

Printing inks have a major impact on the recyclability of plastic films, the recycling process, the quality of regranulates as well as their processability. The PrintCYC initiative started two years ago to investigate this impact more closely and drive circular economy. Today, the initiative is once again providing insights into its research work: Currently focusing on the impact of pigments on the recycling process, PrintCYC has found that standard pigments for flexo- and rotogravure printing show excellent compatibility with recycling and enable recyclates comparable to virgin film. This opens a wide range of reuse possibilities in different film and packaging applications.

The PrintCYC consortium was established in 2019 to support the transformation of printed polyolefine-based packaging films towards a circular economy by evidence-based industrial trials. Key stakeholders are leading machine manufacturers such as Brückner Maschinenbau, Erema, Kiefel and PackSYS Global, the printing ink manufacturer hubergroup Print Solutions, and Profol, one of the market leaders for PP cast films. The initiative is coordinated by Dr Annett Kaeding-Koppers, an independent packaging expert and sustainability consultant. PrintCYC is connected to converters and in continuous dialogue with brandowners, recyclers, and platforms such as Ceflex and Forum Rezyklat to discuss and share results.

SABIC PIONEERS WITH NEW LNP ELCRIN IQ COMPOUNDS USING PRE-CONSUMER RECYCLED GLASS FIBER TO ACCELERATE CARBON NEUTRALITY

SABIC, a global leader in the chemical industry, launched today new LNP ELCRIN WF006XXPiQ compound and LNP ELCRIN WF0061XPiQ compound, the first two grades in a new portfolio of materials that incorporate preconsumer recycled glass fiber diverted from the waste stream of industrial processes. These polybutylene terephthalate (PBT) compounds, each reinforced with 30 percent pre-consumer recycled short glass fiber, offer mechanical properties and color equivalency of ELCRIN iQ grades that use virgin glass fiberreinforcement. 

This new technology further decreases the carbon footprint of ELCRIN iQ materials, which already support the circular economy and help reduce plastic waste by using upcycled polyethylene terephthalate (PET) from discarded water bottles.

“We are continually pursuing new avenues to accelerate carbon neutrality for our materials across our portfolio” said Luc Govaerts, director, Formulation & Application Development for SABIC’s Specialties Business. “This effort includes evaluating each component of our thermoplastic compounds and collaborating with others in the value chain to identify potential replacements that can drive circularity. Central to this process is the prioritization of customer needs, so that greater sustainability goes hand-in-hand with outstanding performance, consistent quality and processing efficiency.”

Lowering Environmental Impacts

SABIC is one of the first material suppliers to adopt pre-consumer recycled glass fiber for thermoplastic compounds. The short glass fiber used in these new ELCRIN iQ materials contains 100 percent recycled content according to Underwriters Laboratories’ Recycled Content Validation procedure (UL 2809), following the mass balance approach. Compared to virgin PBT reinforced with virgin glass fiber, LNP ELCRIN WF006XXPiQ compound contains 67 percent recycled content and lowers carbon footprint by 29 percent, while LNP ELCRIN WF0061XPiQ compound contains 55 percent recycled content and reduces carbon footprint by 24 percent.

In addition to their improved sustainability profile, these materials deliver good structural performance (stiffness and strength), chemical resistance and colorability for applications in the consumer electronics, automotive and electrical & electronics industries.

Furthermore, the new LNP ELCRIN WF0061XPiQ compound offers non-halogenated flame retardance. As a drop-in replacement for incumbent virgin PBT and ELCRIN iQ grades, the two new compounds enable customers to increase application sustainability without the need for design or tooling changes.

“These two next-generation materials create new possibilities for customers to advance their carbon neutralitystrategy by further increasing the amount of recycled content they use and lowering the carbon emissions of their applications, all while maintaining equivalent properties and processability,” said Darpan Parikh, Global Product Management Leader, LNP Portfolio, SABIC’s Specialties business. “For SABIC, the move to adopt pre-consumer recycled glass fiber reinforces our commitment to optimize the use of resources and contribute to our customers net zero carbon goals.

”SABIC plans to extend the use of pre-consumer recycled glass fiber to reinforced compounds based on other resins from their specialty offerings. These new products are available for sampling globally and formulations can be tailored to customers’ specific needs.

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PROTECTING PLASTIC PIPES AGAINST FREEZING

New Technical Document Answers Questions About Insulating Plastic Pressure Piping Systems

 The Plastics Pipe Institute, Inc. (PPI), has published a new Technical Note related to the protection of plastic pressure piping materials against freezing. PPI is the major trade association representing the plastic pipe industry.

The new PPI Technical Note TN-65 “Insulation Recommendations for Plastic Pressure Piping Materials in Residential Applications” focuses on insulating plastic pressure piping materials against freezing. It applies to hot- and cold-water piping materials CPVC, PEX, PE-RT, PEX-AL- PEX, PP-R, and PP-RCT, and is directed to applications such as plumbing distribution, fire protection, and Hydronics.

According to PPI, although plastic piping materials are inherently better insulators of heat energy than traditional metal pipe materials such as steel and copper, there are several situations where plastic pipe materials should be insulated for protection against freezing of fluids within the
pipes.

“Insulation will of course reduce heat transfer through the walls of piping materials,” explained Lance MacNevin, P. Eng., director of engineering for PPI’s  Building & Construction Division. “This improves system efficiency and performance in a wide range of applications. Energy savings and faster delivery of hot water are other benefits of proper pipe insulation.

TN-65 provides recommendations to prevent freezing in a variety of applications, based on multiple industry publications and the collaborative input of PPI members. It also addresses the use of heat trace cable and shares techniques for thawing frozen plastic pipes. It’s intended for plumbers, builders, designers, inspectors, and others.

The new technical note includes the following sections:

•  Recommendations to prevent freezing of pipes in water service, plumbing, fire protection, chilled water, Hydronics, snow & ice melting.
•  Excerpts from Model Code such as the UMC, UPC, USHGC, IMC, IPC, NPC, NSPC, CSA B214, and CSA C448 regarding piping insulation and protection.
•  Usage of heat trace cable.
• Approved techniques for thawing frozen plastic pipes.

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Consistently strong demand for hydrogenation at Saltigo

Mumbai, December 3, 2021 – What do a highly effective disinfectant, an industrial lubricant, and the well-known insect repellent Saltidin (icaridin) have in common? Hydrogenation is a key step in the synthesis sequences of all of these substances. Saltigo GmbH, a wholly owned subsidiary of the specialty chemicals company LANXESS, produces hundreds of tons of these products and their precursors each year. “Our flexible campaign management enables us to fulfill a large number of customer requests even when demand is high,” explains Dr. Claus Dreisbach, Hydrogenation Plant Manager at Saltigo.

Hydrogenation with gaseous hydrogen that often takes place in a pressurized environment and sometimes at high temperatures is one of the core competencies of the Leverkusen-based specialist in exclusive synthesis. Saltigo has many decades of experience in this area and a modern, efficient production base in order to carry out
numerous variants of these reactions safely, also on a large scale.

Large campaigns preferred
The hydrogenation plant focuses on substances with an annual production volume of between 100 and 2,000 tons (t). “Campaigns of between 100 and 600 tons are the most fun,” says Dreisbach with a wink, before justifying this focus: “Our equipment is optimally designed for that volume, which makes for maximum productivity.” But smaller campaigns of between 20 and 100 t are regularly on the production schedule. In total, the plant produced well over 5,000 t of hydrogenated products last year. It also manufactures according to the “just in time” principle: always aligned with the individual requirements of customers as well as the availability of raw materials
and equipment. This enables high storage costs to be avoided throughout the supply chain.

The hydrogenation reactions that are generally catalyzed with transition metals or their complexes can be applied to a wide variety of feedstocks and create products with a high level of purity and a high yield for the most part. In this way, olefins and polyolefins are turned into saturated hydrocarbons, aromatic or heteroaromatic compounds are turned into cycloaliphates, and aldehydes or ketones and imines or nitriles, respectively, are turned into alcohols or amines, for example.

Pressure vessel is the centerpiece
At the heart of the hydrogenation plant are two pressure-resistant reaction vessels as well as a cascade of pressure vessels that enables continuous production. The reaction pressures can be as high as 180 bar at temperatures of up to 320 °C. A separate tank farm as well as numerous processing systems for isolating the target components are effectively integrated in the plant.

“Hydrogenation with hydrogen including the asymmetric reaction variants are part of the established technological portfolio of many a provider of exclusive synthesis. It is indispensable for manufacturing a wide variety of important chemical agents and intermediates. However, carrying out reactions like these safely and efficiently, especially on a large scale, is anything but trivial. That is where our many years of experience pay dividends,” says Dreisbach in summing up. Adherence to the quantities and delivery dates stipulated are other important arguments for choosing an experienced, reliable synthesis partner.

Detailed information on Saltigo’s products and services can be found online at https://saltigo.com.

Alternative to animal testing

R|ElanTM GreenGold Ecocean – A Sustainable fabric that cares for our Oceans

Growing crisis of ocean pollution and efforts to tackle this from Reliance Industries Limited (RIL) A large part of our global population directly depends on the oceans for their livelihood. Most of the waste that is collected near oceans, which eventually enters water bodies, is coming from land-based sources. Waste PET bottles are one of the most visible component of ocean pollution with millions of tons of plastic entering the seas and oceans every year severely affecting marine life.

Hence, it is imperative that measures are taken at every level to control this pollution since protecting the planet is a global concern and our collective responsibility.

Reliance Industries Ltd (RIL), India’s largest private sector company, is spearheading the adoption of circular economy concepts. As a part of its strategy to enhance sustainability,

Reliance, has built substantial capacities in recycling post-consumer PET bottles into high-quality branded polyester – R|ElanTM GreenGold. Reliance, the pioneer in India in making fibers out of post-consumer used PET bottles, recycles over 2 billion PET bottles every year and is committed to increase the recycling capacity year on year.

R|ElanTM GreenGold Ecocean – A key solution to deal with the menace of ocean pollution Reliance has secured supply chains for collection of post-consumer PET bottles through OBP (Ocean bound plastic) route and has introduced a new product – R|ElanTM GreenGold Ecocean.

Reliance Industries Limited – Barabanki Manufacturing Division has been awarded OBP – Ocean Bound Plastic Recycling Organization Standard V1.1 by the Control Union.

While commenting on certification award to RIL, Ms Marjorie Platero, Control Union said “We at Control Union believe in assisting textile brands meet their standard requirements with respect to sustainable products. With growing public awareness amongst consumers, the demand for fashion made from certified sustainable content has also increased. Control Union Certifications declares to have audited Reliance Industries Limited, Barabanki unit and its products which are in certified in accordance to the requirements of Recycling Organization Standard as referred in their scope certificate”.

Ocean Bound Plastic is abandoned plastic waste located within the range of 50km from the shore in communities or areas where waste management is non-existent or very inefficient. This is important, since the probability of plastic waste reaching oceans increases with the proximity of rivers or shores.

To make R|ElanTM GreenGold Ecocean fabric, 100% used PET bottles are rescued before they reach and pollute the oceans. These are cleaned, crushed and converted into flakes. The flakes are then washed and converted into high quality fibers, yarns, and fabrics.

The making of R|ElanTM GreenGold Ecocean fabric helps in diverting and recycling waste. This not only helps in keeping the water bodies cleaner but also keeps the marine life safer.

Many leading global brands have started preferring PET collected from beaches and shores that would otherwise end up in oceans, rivers, or lakes and have started using these to manufacture apparels and footwear from Ocean Bound plastics. Consumers are increasingly becoming more aware and sensitive to using eco-friendly products including in their apparels and accessories.

These factors are making R|ElanTM GreenGold Ecocean as one of the most sought-after fabric among leading brands, retailers, fashion designers and style enthusiasts.

Reliance has developed a wide range of GreenGold product portfolio that includes possibilities to combine sustainability with various functional benefits like moisture management (R|ElanTM Kooltex), thermal management (R|ElanTM AirTherm), all weather comfort (R|ElanTM AllClima) and fibres that bio-mimic bio-degradation process (R|ElanTM EcoGold with CiClO®).

Superior Features of GreenGold Ecocean that adds immense value to its customers

Value Proposition for Brands and Retailers
• Assured 100% post-consumer used PET bottles from OBP route
• One of the most eco-friendly fibers
• Best-in-class quality and performance in fabric comparable to virgin products
• Product and bottle traceability options available, along with digital traceability against specific orders
• Consistent dyeing performance
• Superior whiteness index and strength parameters
• Extensive supply chain support from yarns to garments, through Hub Excellence Program (HEP) partners which includes spinners, knitters, weavers and processors

Value Proposition for Yarn and Fabric Mills
• Diversified product range for varied apparel and home textile categories
• CV % for GreenGold Ecocean fiber properties is quite low, giving supreme yarn quality
• Availability of large lots for uniformity and consistency
• Comprehensive product basket of pre-coloured, dope-dyed fibers
• Extensive technical support at all stages of manufacturing throughout the value chain

Versatile product applications across fashion apparel and home textile

R|ElanTM GreenGold Ecocean fabric can be used in manufacturing casual wear, denims, formals and womenswear. This fabric is also available for home textile segment under the brand name Recron® GreenGold Ecocean.

Enabling high quality eco-friendly fashion

R|ElanTM GreenGold Ecocean exemplifies circular economy concepts and is strongly enabling textile and fashion industry with such high-quality sustainable fabric. Taking forward our efforts in enabling eco-friendly fashion, R|ElanTM GreenGold Ecocean will support brand and retailers achieve their style goals and sustainability commitments at the same time.

Industry sustainability leader: GF Piping Systems introduces bio-attributed PVC to its portfolio to reduce CO2 footprint

As a pioneer of pressure piping, GF Piping Systems (GF) announced today the introduction of bio- attributed materials to all of its market-leading polyvinyl chloride (PVC-U) metric pressure pipes, fittings and valves produced in Europe. The sustainable PVC resin, made using tall oil, a waste product from paper production will see up to 90% reduction in the CO2 emission during production versus conventional PVC while still maintaining the highest quality, durability, and recyclability.

The PVC piping systems from GF, first produced in 1955, have been tried and tested for more than 65 years. Today, they include pipes, fittings, valves, actuators, and measurement and control technology used across industries in over 100 countries for the most demanding applications.

To achieve the biggest impact, the PVC resin used for pipes, fittings and valves is successively adjusted to use up to 20% bio-attributed PVC. The sustainable PVC resins meet the same stringent performance criteria as GF’s conventionally produced PVC grades. To verify the correct use, an independent certification body is appointed to audit the production plants and supply chain which processes the bio-attributed PVC-U.

“With the introduction of bio-attributed PVC into our material mix, we are transitioning toward more sustainably sourced products,” announces Jens Frisenborg, Head of Business Unit Industry/Utility at GF Piping Systems. “By adding renewable raw material, with identical chemical and mechanical properties, to our valves, fittings and pipes, we provide our customers with unrivaled quality, while also supporting them in achieving their own sustainability goals.”

Insensitive, flexible to plan, easy to install, and very reliable: these properties of piping systems are in demand in numerous industrial areas: in drinking water treatment, microelectronics production, in sewage treatment plants, in shipbuilding, and the food industry. PVC piping systems are suitable for use in almost every branch of industry. It is not only their durability that makes them so versatile but also their easy installation. Now with bio-attributed PVC, GF Piping Systems is ensuring they are more sustainably sourced.

NORMA Group starts production cooperation with Italian water management company 

Maintal, Germany/Sant’ Angelo in Vado, Italy, November 23, 2021 – NORMA Group has entered into a strategic partnership with SAB S.p.A (“SAB”), an Italian specialist in joining technology for drinking water, irrigation and drainage. From November 2021, SAB will produce high-quality NORMA PN 16 compression fittings certified for drinking water applications for NORMA Group. Further products are to follow. In addition, the agreement reached stipulates that NORMA Group and SAB will jointly develop new products. With this cooperation, NORMA Group is strengthening its water management business in Europe and, in particular, further expanding its position in the field of drinking water applications.

“SAB has a proven record of outstanding product expertise,” says Dr. Michael Schneider, CEO of NORMA Group. “With this cooperation, we gain additional production resources and can serve our customers in Europe better and faster with water management solutions. Efficient use of the scarce resource of water is becoming increasingly important, which is why we are consistently expanding our water management business in all regions.”

NORMA Group generated around 23 percent of group turnover in 2020 in the field of water management. Business is particularly strong in the USA, Malaysia and India, where NORMA Group each has its own plants for water management products. In Europe, the business is to be further expanded in the coming years. Thanks to the cooperation with SAB, NORMA Group will in future offer products in Europe that meet the high EU requirements for drinking water applications, thus opening up new market potential. NORMA Group’s European customers benefit from short transport routes and optimized delivery times, as the products are manufactured directly in Europe.

“The cooperation allows us to make optimal use of our know-how in the production of certified irrigation and drainage solutions for the advantage of both companies,” says Renato Mancini Cilla, General Manager of SAB. “We are looking forward to working with NORMA Group.”

SAB, based in Sant’ Angelo in Vado in Italy, specializes in the production of water management solutions by extrusion and thermoforming. The company’s product portfolio includes irrigation pipes, compression fittings, valves and drainage channels. SAB is part of the System Group, headquartered in Lunano (PU), Italy.

Additional information on the company is available at www.normagroup.com. More press photos are available from our platform on www.normagroup.com/images.