Market outlook and strategy for plastics in the second half of the year of the raw materials market special

Sep 16, 2022

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1.Mitsui Chemical Cooperation to Develop New PP Biocomposites

On September 13, Nippon Paper Industries and Mitsui Chemicals will cooperate to develop a new type of biological composite with high content of cellulose powder. The two companies plan to develop and market products as soon as possible, and expand in consumer goods, household goods, containers, building materials, household appliances, auto parts and other fields. With cellulose powder as the main component, this new composite material will have the same processing properties as traditional plastics. In addition, the use of wood biomass as its main component of composite materials will help reduce the use of fossil fuel derived raw materials, thereby reducing greenhouse gas emissions. To some extent, Japan is a hotbed for the development of biological composites based on cellulose derivatives. Toyota Gosei, a Japanese auto parts manufacturer, recently developed a cellulose nanofiber (CNF) reinforced PP compound. At the same time, Polyplastics Company used regenerated cellulose in a long fiber thermoplastic PP compound. The pulp and paper companies in Japan have been working for some time to develop the composite material application of cellulose fiber. The goal of Mitsui Chemical is to combine the cellulose powder from Japanese paper industry with the composite technology cultivated by Mitsui Chemical Group to develop a powerful, easy to use biological composite material with high content of cellulose powder. It is planned to use Mitsui Chemical Group’s existing sales network of composite resin and provide samples to customers on this basis. Mitsui Chemical aims to achieve carbon neutrality by 2050.

2. BASF will show off various new solutions for the footwear industry in Simac

From September 20 to 22, 2022, the International Footwear Machinery and Technology Exhibition Simac will open again. This year, BASF will show its various new solutions for the footwear industry: concept shoes made entirely of BASF materials, boots that remain soft even at zero 40 degrees, lightweight high rebound soles for safety shoes, and sustainable footwear solutions. BASF will also show 3D printing shoes and coating solutions to protect the soles. BASF is one of the top suppliers of polyurethane (PU) materials. BASF transferred their knowledge in the field of sports to the field of safety shoes. The result is the PU material that safety shoe manufacturers expect – it can achieve the highest productivity through the direct welding process and meet the requirements of all safety regulations. Through close cooperation with boot manufacturers, BASF has further improved the performance of Elastopan polyurethane systems for boots. BASF will present a concept shoe, “MADGAMMA – Intertekk Saturn”, which is completely made of sustainable products. The upper is made of 100% recycled monofilament Freeflex thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU). The replaceable midsole consists of a comfortable bio based Elastopan N polyurethane series. Another replaceable midsole option is made of TPU foam, which has low density, high energy feedback and can be recycled. In addition to these products, BASF will also showcase other sustainable solutions, such as biomass balance methods and Cycled Energy.