Polireports

A recent study replicates the molecular level enzymatic breakdown of PET.By interpreting spectroscopic data, they created a 3D molecular model of the process.

Why is this interesting? We know far too little about PETases. In fact, theories remain on how they function. Knowing more about the mechanisms that regulate degradation would help us build more specific and effective enzymes.

Thanks to this study we now know that they can "walk" on the PET chain and they do not need large amount of plastic to work, even 2 subunits are enough.

What to say, will enzymes really save us? I surely hope so.

Due to COVID-19, use of billions of disposable facemasks is raising environmental concerns especially when they are thoughtlessly discarded in public spaces, including - parks, open-air venues and beaches. Apart from the challenge of dealing with such huge volumes of essential personal healthcare items in a sustainable way, simply throwing the used masks away for disposal on landfill sites or in incineration plants represents a loss of valuable feedstock for new material.

- Fraunhofer Press Release 16 June 2021

P&G, Fraunhofer and Sabic joined forces to close the life cycle of masks.

Fraunhofer: the masks are first shredded and then converted to pyrolysis oil.

Sabic:  the pyrolysis oil is used as feedstock for the production of new PP resin.

P&G:  PP polymer is processed into non-woven fibers material to produce new masks.

This pilot project has helped us to assess if the close loop approach could work for hygienic and medical grade plastics.” says Hansjörg Reick, P&G Senior Director Open Innovation. “Of course, further work is needed but the results so far have been very encouraging”.

Following the “success” of the paper bottle prototype from Paboco and CocaCola, Unilever launches the first ever paper-based laundry detergent bottle.

To tackle plastic waste, we need to completely rethink how we design and package products. Pulpex paper-based bottle technology is an exciting step in the right direction, and we are delighted to be working together to trial this innovation for our products.

“Innovating with alternative materials is a key part of our sustainable packaging strategy and will play an important role in our commitment to halve our use of virgin plastic materials by 2025.”

-  Richard Slater, Unilever Chief R&D Officer

The main difference with Paboco’s solution stays on the inside which instead of being composed of a plastic layer is sprayed with a coating that repels water and should allow the bottle to be recyclable.

Alessandro Volta demonstrated that the contact of 2 metals soaked in Brine-solution (concentrated NaCl solution >5% up to 26%) produces electricity.

He used Copper and Zinc thus creating the famous Zn-Cu pile. 

In practise series of disks was needed to achieve perceptible current flow. These were alterned with brine soaked cardboard.

The main parts of a battery are Cathode (➕), Anode (➖) and electrolite 🌊.

Therefore, in the voltaic pile the Cathode is Cu, the Anode is Zn and the electrolite is brine-solution.

How does it work?

The research on polymer-gel electrolites for battery application continues as EU fund the successor of Salbage project: Amapola.

The aim is to develop an Al-S cell that achieves very high energy density values (660 Wh/l or 400 Wh/kg) , [...] further investigate the materials proposed in the Salbage project and develop advanced cathode formulations.

- Electrive 31/05/2021

All rights reserved to Amapola project

So, Amapola aims to reach the “industrial pilot” Technology Readiness Level (TRL) by 30 September 2022.

Why organic? 

Giulio Natta, first and only Italian scientist to win a Nobel prize for Chemistry.

Natta was curious of the fact that ethylene polyaddition took place in the presence of organometallic compounds showed in Ziegler’s conference in 1952.

This new catalyst allowed to obtain polymerization at lower pressure and temperature than the typical processes involved at the time.

Moreover:

<<In the first months of 1954, using Ziegler's catalysts, Natta obtained the first partly crystalline polypropylene and on 11 March noted in his diary, "Made polypropylene". He at once recognized that the crystallinity of the polymer thus obtained was due to a particular type of steric regularity, which he defined as "isotactic". >>

- Giulio Natta Archive Part I

Natta was the first to obtain an organized structure of a polymer. The discovery was impressive and rapidly most university and industry research laboratories involved in macromolecular chemistry ended up focusing on  stereospecific polymerization.

With more than 150 licensed lines around the globe and 40 years of continuous innovation, LyondellBasell is a leading pioneer in the development of polypropylene.

A leading advantage of the Spheripol process, in combination with Avant catalysts (5th generation Ziegler-Natta Catalyst), is its unique ability to produce polymer spheres directly in the reactor. Spherical polypropylene provides superior process reliability and best in class operability, in contrast to the processability of small, irregularly shaped, granular polymer particles produced by other technologies.

“In South Korea, a new 400,000 tons per year polypropylene plant has been put into operation. [...]

Managed by Ulsan PP, the new unit uses the fifth generation of LyondellBasell's Spheripol PP process technology.”