´óÏó´«Ã½

 hosted the two-day Pre K event in the Netherlands featuring presentations from 12 suppliers: Palsgaard, GCR Plastic Solutions, LyondellBasell, Syensqo, SABIC, INEOS, Kisuma, OQ Polymers, TotalEnergies, Envalior, MOL Group and Polyvantis.

 presented its anti-static, anti-fog and anti-fouling plant-based Einar additives for polymerization. The Einar additives are derived from vegetable oil. Einar 987 is the most recently introduced, providing anti-fouling for polypropylene and polyethylene polymerization as an alternative to ethoxylated amines.

announced a new post-consumer recyclate brand will be added to its CICLIC line. In addition, a new company will be added to the , which will be focused primarily on automotive applications, with some appliance applications, as well.

LyondellBasell described how its Circulen Recover (mechanical recycling), Revive (chemical recycling), and Renew (biocircular) brands can enable sustainability progress. MoReTec is a chemical recycling technology that uses catalysts to process sorted plastic waste, reducing energy use and carbon footprint. 

Rotterdam’s innovative architecture formed the backdrop for the EMG Pre K event. Source: Matt Stonecash

Syensqo presented examples of how its highly specialized polymers are supporting the trends of electrification and digitalization. For example, the process of semiconductor manufacture requires extremely pure water, so supply lines should be stable and weldable to prevent contamination. Syensqo supplies its Solef polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) for this application. 

SABIC used application examples to illustrate how the company enables more sustainable end products — one of which was the Lumen Nordic Skin Care container, which is a 97% bio-based, designed for recycling and lightweighted.

described its ability to drive down carbon footprint using recycled and bio-derived materials. The company has a goal of reaching net zero by 2050. INEOS partner will soon start up a polystyrene plant that will use a depolymerization technology to supply styrene to INEOS. 

 presented Setogem RD, a nucleator and acid scavenger for polypropylene. The company will also be launching a new generation of its flame retardants, proving alternatives to brominated flame retardants (BFRs) and antimony trioxide (ATO).

of Oman has launched 17 new polymer grades in the past year. Ten of these are packaging grades including flexible and rigid. Another grade is for rotomolding of large water tanks.

will be starting up a pyrolysis plant in France this year, as it continues to invest in both mechanical and chemical recycling in its pursuit of producing 1 million tons of circular polymers by 2030.

presented its engineering polymers for high-demand applications, such as Pocan PBT for high-voltage connectors, in support of the transition of electric vehicles to 800-V charging.

updated its continued capacity investments in polyoil, polyolefin feedstock and polyolefins. Molgroup is also integrating municipal waste management in Hungary, which will supply post-consumer plastic for energy generation and recycling.

 will be announcing two new products at K show: one for aerospace and the other a film for microfluidics applications in the healthcare industry.