Raw Materials
Heartland Polymers Begins Integrated Commercial Production at PDH/PP Complex
Heartland Polymers announced the successful start-up of its propane dehydrogenation (PDH) plant, which is now providing on-site feedstock for North America’s only integrated, single-site commercial polypropylene (PP) production. “Thanks to the dedication and hard work of our operations team, I am proud to report that our propane dehydrogenation plant has been providing a reliable onsite …
Natural Fibers: The New Fashion In Automotive Composites
Electrification, Lightweighting, and Sustainability Targets Are Creating Opportunities for Natural Fiber Automotive Composites In the automotive industry, composites can help reduce aerodynamic drag, rolling resistance and vehicle weight while offering more flexibility in terms of body panel shape than traditional materials, such as metal. But despite these advantages, the significantly higher cost of materials and …
A Warm Homecoming, with a Chilly Climate for Change
After many years of talking amongst itself, the circular economy and sustainability remain key challenges for the fiber industry. After two years in the virtual space, the 61st Dornbirn Global Fiber Congress (GFC) bounced back with an in-person event in the small but attractive city of Dornbirn in Vorarlberg – a mountainous state in western …
Fiber Machinery and Equipment
What is yarn spinning and what equipment is needed to prepare the fiber? Textile fibers can be manmade or naturally derived. Natural fibers are cellulose-based, protein-based, or mineral-based while manmade fibers are primarily based on synthetic polymers but also employ natural polymers that have been chemically altered to produce a new fiber. Every yarn production …
Natural fiber – the bio-option to single use plastics
Plastic packaging materials have been essential to all product areas for decades. These materials offer a broad range flexibility, excellent barrier properties and durability. However, legislative focus on single-use plastics and microplastics has begun to change the market’s perception of these longstanding materials. As a result, there are two main requirements the market is demanding: …