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Fibers for battery separators
Battery separators are vital to the function and performance of batteries. Fibers play a significant role as the base component of a nonwoven membrane that acts as an electronically isolating layer between cathodes and anodes in a battery. These fibers require insolating properties, high mechanical strength, as well as electrochemical insulating properties. The type of …
Automotive interiors setting the pace for vehicle design
Faced with unprecedented levels of disruption and innovation, technological advances are impacting all segments of the vehicle industry, particularly interiors. Despite ongoing setbacks due to the impact of the coronavirus pandemic, a shortage of semiconductors and higher raw material, energy and transport costs, automakers have continued to develop their visions of the future – and …
Natural fiber composites – a practical guide for industrial utilization
Every year thousands of nonrecyclable/nondegradable composite parts end up in landfills, including gigantic parts like wind turbine blades, putting more pressure on composite manufacturers to reevaluate the sustainability of their products and their end-of-life options. This is why many of the industry players are interested in natural fiber composites (NFCs); however, a general unfamiliarity with …
Shifting the needle to Europe’s PET polyester waste
CuRe Technology (Emmen, The Netherlands) Garbo Srl (Cerano, Italy), gr3n (Chiasso, Switzerland), and PerPETual (Remscheid, Germany), are companies all involved in developing new processes for chemically recycling PET polyester for fabric and garment production. Their processes all involve various depolymerization techniques to break down the polymers of waste PET into useful chemicals. With the aim …
BASF gets down to the business of sustainable cotton
BASF’s e3 Sustainable Cotton program is designed to directly connect members of the cotton fiber value chain, from cotton farmers to brands to retailers. e3 stands for equitable, economically viable and environmentally responsible, as BASF is aiming to align itself with a consumer base that is increasingly eco-conscious and is demanding traceability in the clothes …