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OPC UA NPE 2024 – What’s in it for the Customer?

OPC UA  NPE 2024 – What’s in it for the Customer?

“An educational initiative for OPC UA must be launched”

Industry interview with Tony Marchelletta, National Sales Manager Sumitomo (SHI) Demag Plastics Machinery N.A.

Does Sumitomo Demag already offer its customers injection molding machines with an OPC UA interface?
Yes, it has been available in some of our higher-end models for a few years now. Especially those that are manufactured in Europe. Last year, we also added OPC UA to our standard Japanese-built SE-EV-S model, which we mainly sell in the US. It has always had an Ethernet connection, and now we simply transfer the data automatically via the OPC UA interface.

Where does OPC UA offer the greatest improvement over other interfaces?
I think at its core it’s about standardization. Many third-party providers have had a wide variety of plant monitoring systems for decades, but each has its own proprietary way of communicating and transmitting data. For us as an OEM, it has always been a challenge to keep our software engineers and also our hardware engineers up to date so that we always have the right interface for the machine. I think everyone was hoping that we would finally have a common language, a way to communicate not only with the injection molding machines but also with the periphery equipment and automation.What challenges does the widespread of OPC UA face in the USA?
The biggest challenge is the large number of machines that we or our customers have to deal with. Machines come here from all over the world. From Europe, India, Taiwan, China, Japan, Korea. There is no real common ground. Not even in the interfaces. The same applies to the installation of plant monitoring systems or ML systems. They are all still rooted in their respective methods. And then the machines and systems are of different ages. I have customers who operate machines that we built over 30 years ago. They are still mechanically sound. The customer wonders why they should replace them. It’s a different story with brand new machines. Ten years ago, I had a customer who wanted to use OPC UA in his plant. He was very enthusiastic about the possibilities and wanted to be prepared for the future. But he also had the luxury of building a brand new plant network. Ten years ago, this customer was quite alone in his knowledge. Another obstacle to the slow spread of the new interface is that although there is now a lot of talk about OPC UA, hardly anyone can actually do anything with it. The benefits are not yet apparent.

Will the major control system providers also jump on the OPC UA bandwagon?
Definitely. If they don’t, it could be disastrous for them. Sooner or later, OPC UA will become the common language. Not everyone in the world speaks Siemens, not everyone speaks Rockwell, but everyone will be able to communicate with OPC UA. Control manufacturers will still be able to offer unique technologies. I think there will still be some differentiators that can protect their interests.

How likely is it that the acceptance of OPC UA will increase in the United States in the medium term?
It would make our lives as OEMs easier if OPC UA were already a universally accepted protocol. But I think it will still take some time. There are many systems that are simply not able to communicate with OPC UA. There is still a lot that is unknown, especially in the North American market. Everyone has heard of OPC UA, but no one really knows what it is. What can it do? What can you do with it?

I think there definitely needs to be a big educational initiative here. The first step would be to inform the plant managers and motivate them to get involved. But they often don’t have the employees they need. It’s a lot of work, especially when many devices have to be connected to the one protocol.

That’s why it will be a while before OPC UA is widely implemented at plant level here in North America.

Could the NPE be a good place to start with the education initiative?
Yes, absolutely. It’s the definitive show in North America for our industry. There will be a lot of visitors, the largest audience is here. That’s why the NPE is a great platform and a great channel to spread the message of OPC UA. Of course, you still have to go to the companies later and explain to the people there in personal discussions how they can integrate OPC UA into their plant system in concrete terms. But the start has been made with the NPE.

www.vdma.org

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A Bio-Based Alternative to Tio2: Finnish Startup Company Focuses on Birch Bark

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A Bio-Based Alternative to Tio2: Finnish Startup Company Focuses on Birch Bark

Finnish startup company Innomost has launched Betuinno.Betulin, a sustainable and biodegradable ingredient made from birch bark that is ideal for replacing synthetic white pigments, such as titanium dioxide, in the surfaces, coatings and beauty industries. PPCJ spoke to CEO Sami Selkälä about its potential benefits compared to synthetic pigments

Birch bark ingredient and scrub made of it

Q. Firstly, can you give a brief overview of Betuinno.Betulin – what does it do and how did the idea for Betuinno.Betulin come about?

A. The development of Betuinno. Betulin was inspired by the nature’s own unique multifunctionality. If you walk around in a Finnish forest, the most abundant white colour you see in the forest is the white colour of the birch bark. We started to study what is the white pigment of the birch bark and we found out that the white colour is due to highly pure betulin. Betulin content of the birch bark is about 25-30% in the outer bark of the birch. We did a lot of research and process development to isolate and produce highly pure white betulin from forest industry side streams.

The result of the development work was a simple, energy efficient process to produce white pigment grade betulin. Betuinno. Betulin is a 100% natural, non-nano, multifunctional white pigment. Besides being a pigment, Betuinno. Betulin is water repellent, antioxidative, antimicrobic, upcycled and a sustainable alternative to synthetic white pigments. Unlike synthetic white pigments, Betuinno. Betulin is biodegradable and non-toxic. Produced from upcycled birch bark from certified forest industry side streams, it is environmentally friendly and has a low carbon footprint. Betuinno. Betulin matches the whiteness and reflectivity of synthetic white pigments.

Q. What are the main challenges that you face when creating bio-based alternatives to chemical pigments?

A. Existing chemical pigments businesses have very large volumes and to create a real alternative to existing pigments, you need a reliable sourcing for the raw material. We have solved this problem by having a strategic relationship with a large forest industry company, Metsä Group, one of the biggest birch wood processors in Europe.

Q. It seems as though you mainly cater to the beauty industry at the moment. Do you have plans to move into the coatings sector and have you tested Betuinno.Betulin in coatings formulations yet?

A. We have commercial beauty industry customers since 2018 and today our products are used on three different continents. The launch of Betuinno. Betulin supports our international growth plans in various industries. To support the launch of a new ingredient together with a growing client base globally, the two existing investors, Metsä Spring and Innovestor, have invested an additional €1.4M in Innomost. The new investment is enabling us to expand into coating applications as well.

Q. This pigment is designed to replace TiO2. The regulations surrounding TiO2 in the EU were repealed last year and paint manufacturers no longer have to declare it as carcinogenic. Do you think there is still an appetite in the coatings industry for TiO2 replacements?

A. Consumers of today want to use natural, renewable and sustainable products that are good for them and for the environment. Our innovations enable our customers to replace environmentally harmful ingredients with bio-based, non-toxic and a safe to use option. We answer to the market demand for sustainable, bio-based and biodegradable alternatives for existing materials in the market. Our pigment is multifunctional and gives more to the formulation that just pigment.

Q. What benefits does Betuinno.Betulin offer paint manufacturers over TiO2?

A. Betuinno.Betulin is a bio-based, upcycled and sustainable alternative to synthetic white pigments. Unlike synthetic white pigments, Betuinno. Betulin is biodegrable and non-toxic.  Produced from upcycled birch bark from certified forest industry side streams,it is environmentally friendly and has a low carbon footprint. Betuinno. Betulin matches the whiteness and reflectivity of synthetic white pigments. Betuinno. From the technical point of view, betulin is an organic material, hydrophobic, antioxidative and antimicrobic.

Q. And finally, do you have any plans to create bio-based alternatives for any other coatings ingredients?

A. Birch offers almost endless possibilities for innovative new products. Our current range of bio-based and sustainable products from birch is only the beginning of our company’s innovation potential and growth opportunities in the global market. We are looking at different options in coatings, such as fillers, binders and dispersants, where there is a natural advantage to use birch-based ingredients.

innomost.com

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The coatings industry is facing many challenges, some of which can very well become opportunities”: PPCJ speaks to ChemQuest’s latest Vice President, Sharon Feng

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The coatings industry is facing many challenges, some of which can very well become opportunities”: PPCJ speaks to ChemQuest’s latest Vice President, Sharon Feng

Sharon Feng has recently been appointed as a Vice President at global consulting firm ChemQuest, having worked for companies such as Bayer MaterialScience, Lanxess and PPG. The numerous leadership roles she has undertaken span a diverse range of areas, such as emerging coating technologies, EHS, supply chain, innovation, R&D, and most recently Feng served as Technical Director for Corporate R&D at PPG Industries. PPCJ spoke to her about her extensive career in the coatings industry and her plans for her new role with ChemQuest

Q. How did you come to be at ChemQuest and what attracted you to the company?

A. I have known ChemQuest throughout my career either as a client of their extensive market studies or from colleagues who worked with and for ChemQuest. I have always been impressed with the calibre of the experts they have on staff and by the in-depth insights they provided on market dynamics and megatrends in those markets.

Q. How will your extensive expertise translate into your role at ChemQuest?

A. I would like to have opportunities to use my expertise/experiences across value chains in various end-user markets to help our clients develop growth strategies informed by megatrends, unmet market needs, and disruptive technologies. I will also help our M&A clients by providing insights on the technological valuation, IP assets assessment and growth potential to aid their due diligence process. In addition, helping our clients develop roadmaps to take a new technology/product to market success will also be very satisfying to me.

Q. What will be the first thing/s you focus on in your new role?

A. Similar to any new role I’ve taken in the past, I am looking forward to first learning about the teams I will be working with, the company culture and the best practices that will enable me to quickly become an effective contributor. Learning has always been my passion, and I am glad that this new role provides plenty of opportunities to expand my knowledge and experience.

Q. What do you think are the main challenges and opportunities in the coatings industry at the moment?

A. I firmly believe that the coatings industry is facing many challenges, some of which can very well become opportunities. I think that one of the biggest challenges that coatings R&D is facing is the demand for accelerated innovation. Developing a new material and/or a new product in the coatings industry traditionally requires very long cycle times, partially due to the extensive testing protocols required by some end users. Those who can figure out how to increase the speed to market will enjoy significant competitive advantage.

The second major challenge is how to attract and retain talent. After the pandemic, the ability to offer remote or even just hybrid working arrangements became a major benefit. Due to the nature of the work, chemical R&D mostly still requires working on site.

Q. What do you think are the biggest trends in the coatings industry at the moment, in terms of what companies want to develop and what they want to achieve?

A. Several megatrends, such as climate change, sustainable growth and emerging AI applications, demand new approaches, new materials and new solutions from the coatings industry. Each company, in alignment with its own business growth strategy, will have different answers to this question.

In general, everyone would like to offer innovative solutions to unmet market needs due to the disruption from these megatrends. Some examples include the reduction of energy intensity/carbon footprint of coating applications/processes and coating solutions that can support sustainability goals, such as the increased use of renewable raw materials and improved recyclability.

Q. Looking ahead, what do you think the big trends in R&D will be in the next decade or so?

A. The biggest question mark should undoubtedly go to the impact from AI. How can such a tool/approach be used to enable better and faster innovation, as well as improved efficiency? What are the impacts of these AI-assisted innovations on our current organisational structure, workflows, people, and culture? What can our current workforce do to upskill and stay abreast of this rapidly evolving technology? Discovering the best path forward will be challenging.

chemquest.com

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Record-Breaking NPE2024: The Plastics Show Officially Wraps in Orlando

Record-Breaking NPE2024: The Plastics Show Officially Wraps in Orlando

NPE2024 Captivates and Inspires Global Leaders and Rising Stars  to Shape the Future of the Plastics Industry

 NPE2024: The Plastics Show concluded a momentous week with an incredible turnout that has reinforced its position as the premier plastics industry event in the Americas. Over 50,000 registrants signed up for the show.

This year’s show welcomed new faces, with 63% of attendees experiencing their very first NPE. NPE2024 has made history with one of the youngest audiences ever recorded. 30% of attendees were under the age of 40, marking the growing enthusiasm for innovation, sustainability and the promising future of the plastics industry.

NPE2024’s global reach reestablished its reputation as the international gathering place of the plastics industry in the Americas. More than 15,000 international registrants marked the most international show in NPE’s history. Representatives from 133 countries – or 68.2% of nations worldwide – registered to attend the global plastics trade show. This is a 9.9% increase of countries registered at NPE2018, demonstrating the exchange of industry innovation and ideas on a global scale, and further shaping the path of international plastics collaboration and solutions. This strong international presence was further underscored by sold-out events like the FLiP & Sip Reception, drawing in more than 1,000 attendees and the Women in Plastics Breakfast, which attracted almost 600 attendees

“Witnessing the entire plastics industry reunite at NPE2024 was truly inspiring,” said Matt Seaholm, PLASTICS’ President and CEO. “We were thrilled to welcome familiar attendees, visitors from all over the globe and the next generation of plastics professionals. We cannot wait to see the incredible innovations and collaborations that will emerge from everyone who attended and are proud to say that we produced a historic, can’t-miss event in the plastics industry.”

To get a recap of NPE2024, visit npe.org/npetv for daily episodes of the innovations on the show floor. The NPE team looks forward to the next show happening May 3-7, 2027, in Orlando, FL. For updates on NPE2027, visit NPE.org.

The Plastics Industry Association (PLASTICS) is the only organization that supports the entire plastics supply chain, including Equipment Suppliers, Material Suppliers, Processors, and Recyclers, representing over one million workers in our $548 billion U.S. industry. PLASTICS advances the priorities of our members who are dedicated to investing in technologies that improve capabilities and advances in recycling and sustainability and providing essential products that allow for the protection and safety of our lives. Since 1937, PLASTICS has been working to make its members, and the seventh largest U.S. manufacturing industry, more globally competitive while supporting circularity through educational initiatives, industry-leading insights and events, convening opportunities and policy advocacy, including the largest plastics trade show in the Americas, NPE2024: The Plastics Show.

npe.org

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Micro Molding and the Future of Biomedical Applications

Micro Molding and the Future of Biomedical Applications

Paul Runyan, VP Sales & Marketing, Accumold

In the dynamic medical field, micro molding has increasingly become the foundation for innovation, particularly in the creation of cutting-edge biomedical devices. This article explores the transformative impact of micro molding within the biomedical industry, and highlights how the unparalleled precision, scalability, and customization offered by micro molding are paving the way for future breakthroughs in patient care. Furthermore, we examine how these technologies facilitate the miniaturization of devices, making procedures less invasive and more efficient, thereby significantly enhancing patient outcomes. The insights presented underscore the critical role that micro molding plays not only in current medical device development but also in shaping the future landscape of healthcare technologies.

MICRO MOLDING

Micro molding is a specialized manufacturing technique that involves the production of extremely small components, crafted from broad palette of different polymers, and characterized by their high precision and meticulous accuracy. The significance of micro molding is highlighted by its critical role in the development of miniature medical devices featuring intricate shapes and made from advanced, high-performance materials, which are increasingly required for innovative healthcare applications. These applications include, but are not limited to, tiny implants, sophisticated surgical tools, and advanced diagnostic equipment. This capability to fabricate small-scale, complex components is essential as it supports the advancement of medical technology and enhances the functionality and effectiveness of medical treatments.

The primary advantage of micro molding lies in its exceptional precision. This technique is essential for producing medical devices such as stents, catheters, and wearable sensors that must meet not only specific dimensional requirements but also stringent health and safety standards. Micro molding achieves this by allowing the production of components with ultra-fine tolerances, often in the range of just a few microns, and it does this repeatably, there being a demand for zero failure rates in safety critical applications.

Additionally, scalability plays a crucial role in the widespread adoption of micro molding for medical applications. Once a mold is precisely engineered, manufacturers can rapidly produce large quantities of components. The capability to scale up production means that components can be manufactured in the thousands or millions, facilitating quick distribution and significantly reducing the cost per unit. Such scalability is particularly advantageous for the production of high-volume items like medical diagnostic test strips, which require consistent quality and reliability.

Another significant benefit is the extensive customization possibilities micro molding allows. The process can be finely adjusted to create unique geometries tailored to specific medical needs. This level of customization not only applies to the physical shape of the components but also extends to the choice of materials used, enabling the production of devices that meet exact requirements for flexibility, biocompatibility, or biodegradability. By combining these customized solutions with micro-level precision and scalability, micro molding stands out as a transformative technology in the biomedical field, supporting innovations and improving patient care

accumold pupil dilater

IMPACT ON PATIENT CARE

The miniaturization of medical devices through the use of micro molding is significantly transforming patient care. By reducing the size of these devices, they become less invasive and more comfortable, enhancing patient comfort and potentially accelerating recovery times while minimizing the risk of post-operative complications. For example, smaller implants can be placed through less substantial incisions, minimizing tissue damage and promoting quicker healing.

Additionally, micro molding allows for the seamless integration of sophisticated electronic components within medical devices. This advancement heralds a new era in personalized medicine, where devices are not only capable of passive tasks but can actively monitor vital signs, administer medications, and dynamically adjust their operations based on real-time changes in the patient’s condition. This capability could lead to highly individualized treatments and interventions, further improving medical outcomes and patient well-being.

PIONEERING TECHNIQUES AND INNOVATIONS

Companies like Accumold are leading innovators in the field of micro molding, consistently pushing the limits of what can be achieved in manufacturing tiny, precise components. Accumold excels in creating micro-molded plastic parts that are used across various critical sectors such as medical, the company utilizing proprietary micro molding techniques to manufacture parts that are not only smaller than a grain of sand but also feature intricacies that measure just a few microns across.

The sophistication of Accumold’s operations is reflected in the company’s in-house production of specialized micro tooling designed specifically for the vagaries of micro-scale production. The company also uses advanced polymers that are tailored to the specifics of a particular application, ensuring that each part meets rigorous standards of quality.

Accumold’s pioneering work in the area of micro molding is especially significant in the medical industry, where its advancements are making way for the development of more complex, reliable medical implants and devices. This technological progress is crucial for the evolution of medical treatments and equipment, setting new benchmarks in the healthcare sector and beyond. Their ongoing commitment to innovation and excellence in micro molding continues to open up new possibilities and applications, driving forward the capabilities of miniature manufacturing technology.

One such is the recent announcement that Accumold has found a way to micro mold thin wall cannulas in very high volumes. Micro injection molding enables the creation of intricate and consistent cannula designs with precise wall thickness control. It eliminates the need for separate extrusion, tipping, and gluing steps by producing the entire cannula in a single mold, enhancing product reliability and reducing the risk of defects. This approach not only improves the quality and reliability of the cannulas but also offers a more scalable and cost-effective solution for meeting the demands of high-volume production in the medical industry. Micro molding cannulas at volume with an outside diameter of 0.035”  (0.889 mm), an inside diameter is 0.027” (0.6858 mm), and a wall thickness of 0.004” (0.1016 mm) is routine at Accumold.

FUTURE DIRECTIONS AND TECHNOLOGIES

The future of micro molding in biomedical applications looks highly promising, with several innovative directions that could significantly impact medical treatments and patient care. One key area of interest is the use of biodegradable polymers, which are already used in — but are poised to revolutionize — the field of implantable medical devices. These polymers can be used to create temporary implants or scaffolds that naturally dissolve within the body once they have served their intended purpose. This capability effectively eliminates the need for a subsequent surgical procedure to remove the implants, thereby reducing the overall risk and discomfort for patients.

Furthermore, the integration of nanotechnology with micro molding represents another exciting frontier. By embedding nanoparticles or nanostructures into the molded components, manufacturers can dramatically enhance the functionality of these devices. For instance, the addition of nanoparticles can increase the electrical conductivity or thermal resistance of the implants, which can be crucial for devices that require these properties to function correctly. Additionally, incorporating nanostructures can lend antimicrobial properties to the implants, greatly reducing the risk of infections post-surgery and during the healing process.

These advancements not only aim to improve the quality and efficacy of medical treatments but also strive to reduce the overall healthcare costs by minimizing the need for additional surgeries and by extending the longevity and functionality of implantable devices. As research continues to advance in these areas, the possibilities for new applications and improvements in micro molding technology are virtually limitless, promising a new era of sophisticated, tailor-made biomedical solutions that cater directly to the evolving needs of patients and healthcare systems worldwide.

CHALLENGES AND CONSIDERATIONS

Despite its numerous advantages, micro molding also confronts several challenges. The exceedingly precise nature of this manufacturing process necessitates advanced design strategies and meticulous quality control measures to guarantee that every component adheres to the required specifications. Furthermore, the creation and integration of innovative materials and processes demand substantial investment in research and development. Obtaining regulatory approval for these new methodologies can be a complex, time-consuming, and expensive endeavor.

This requirement for continuous innovation and compliance can significantly slow down the speed to market, impacting the overall efficiency and cost-effectiveness of micro molding projects. Additionally, the high level of technical expertise required to implement and manage these sophisticated processes can pose a barrier to entry for many companies, potentially limiting the broader adoption of micro molding technologies in various industries. This all shows the necessity of working with an experienced and expert micro molding innovator like Accumold which can act as your qualified micro molding partner and help you navigate the challenges inherent in the process.

SUMMARY

Micro molding technologies hold a key to future biomedical advancements, offering unmatched precision, scalability, and customization for medical device manufacturing. As the technology continues to evolve, it promises to further revolutionize patient care, making treatments less invasive, more effective, and highly personalized. The ongoing developments and innovations in this field are not just enhancing existing applications but are also opening up entirely new possibilities in the medical sector.

This exploration of micro molding technology underscores its vital role in shaping the future of biomedicine, highlighting both the current capabilities and the potential for future breakthroughs that could redefine healthcare as we know it.

www.accu-mold.com

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Did You Know That Rice Bran Waxes Can Replace Carnauba Waxes?

Did You Know That Rice Bran Waxes Can Replace Carnauba Waxes?

Carnauba wax, derived from palm leaves, has long been considered as the gold standard for delivering key properties like hardness, scratch resistance, and gloss in coatings. However, with increasing supply constraints and sustainability concerns, formulators are actively seeking alternatives1 . At Clariant, we recognize the need for alternatives driven by customer demands as well as our responsibility to address environmental challenges. We strive to make a meaningful impact in the industry all while maintaining our focus on meeting the diverse needs of our customers.

The power of Licocare  rice bran waxes
Licocare RBW Vita offers an innovative bio-based solution that retains the shine, durability, and formulation potential associated with carnauba while aligning with sustainability preferences. This renewable carnauba alternative achieves exceptional performance qualities through 100% plant based sourcing.

Our upvalued rice bran waxes offer high-performance solutions at the same time as addressing the key sustainability mega-trends transforming the coatings industry. They are not just renewable based, but also non-food competing, contain no microplastics or PFAS chemicals, and have a remarkable renewable carbon index exceeding 98%. Clariant’s rice bran waxes can already be found in automotive coatings, furniture coatings, and protective coatings such as in cell phones.

Its lighter color enables flexible adaptation across color-sensitive applications. Produced through controlled industrial processes, our consistent quality avoids production adjustments needed with natural waxes. With a broad portfolio and wide variety of solutions, Licocare RBW Vita offers formulators a choice of characteristics like polarity, hardness, and melting point to select the optimal product for their care products, emulsions, coatings, and plastics.

Licocare RBW Vita simplifies the substitution in existing carnauba-based coatings thanks to an extensive portfolio offering a wide choice of characteristics (polarity, hardness, drop point, particle size) to fit diverse applications like care, emulsions, coatings, plastics, and many more. You can expect high performance in the following key areas:
• Outstanding scratch resistance and slip
• Excellent formulation stability
• Neutral transparency that prevents discoloration

Ray Gonzales, Head of Global Marketing Coatings & Adhesives.

“With Licocare RBW Vita, we bring meaningful, high-quality solutions to coatings applications while reflecting our sustainability values. These bio-based rice bran waxes represent the future of coatings.”

Whether seeking to overcome supply chain hurdles or improve sustainability, Licocare RBW Vita unlocks the next generation of renewable coatings while minimizing any necessary compromises. Carnauba-like functionality and beyond is possible with rice bran wax.

Ready to elevate your next formulation?
Visit our dedicated rice bran wax landing page to learn more about the power of Licocare RBW Vita and contact our experts, who will help you achieve sustainable success.

www.clariant.com

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Focus on extenders & fillers: Bismuth – An environmentally friendly Critical Mineral with growing consumption in new technologies and the green economy

Focus on extenders & fillers: Bismuth – An environmentally friendly Critical Mineral with growing consumption in new technologies and the green economy

Robin Goad, President & CEO, Fortune Minerals Limited, gives a comprehensive overview of bismuth, one of the common extenders and fillers for the coatings industry, including its applications, developing markets, challenges and opportunities in the market

Robin Goad, President & CEO

The world is in a transformational energy transition to renewable power systems and new technologies enabled by a completely different suite of raw materials needed to support the growing green economy. Many of these materials are commonly referred to as “Technology Metals” and are identified on country specific “Critical Minerals” Lists. Minerals considered “Critical” have important uses in essential industries and defense, cannot be easily substituted by other materials, and have concerns about their current sources of supply due to geographic concentration of production, geopolitical issues and/or policy risks, or they may come from countries with Environmental-Social Governance (“ESG”) practices that are not aligned with western democratic standards and values.  New supply sources in reliable countries are therefore needed to diversify production and mitigate risks.

Bismuth is identified as a Critical Mineral by most Western economies because of its unique physical and chemical properties, growing consumption, and supply chain risks due to China’s control over 75% of the global production and 60% of world reserves.  The bismuth market is approximately 20,000 metric tonnes per annum, but consumption is expected to grow at about 7.5% CAGR between now and 2030.

Bismuth is a silvery-white metal that can give colourful iridescent tinges on oxidised surfaces. It has very high density, a low melting temperature and it is the most diamagnetic of all metals. Bismuth also has very low thermal conductivity and high electrical resistivity, but when deposited in sufficiently thin layers on a substrate, it is a good semiconductor. When alloyed with copper and strontium, bismuth is a superconductor. Bismuth is also one of the few metals that expands when cooled, increasing the volume by 3.32% on solidification.  It is therefore used to make low-melting temperature typesetting alloys and castings where it compensates for the contraction of the other alloying metals to form isostatic or dimensionally stable alloys or compounds.  Bismuth is also non-toxic, environmentally safe and has anti-bacterial properties, leveraged in the pharmaceutical and cosmetics industries to make medicines like Pepto-Bismol .

Bismuth applications

Bismuth coatings have historically been responsible for the greatest demand in the bismuth market, particularly from the automotive sector.  Glass frits are decorative coatings applied to automotive windshields and glass panels to protect the glues that seal and bond the glass to the car frame.  The high density of bismuth provides a barrier to block sunlight and also protects the seal from expansion and contraction during changing temperatures.

Some automotive manufacturers use bismuth containing alloys to coat metal frames and body panels to provide protection from corrosion. The low melting temperature of bismuth reduces energy consumption in the melt and the expansion properties during cooling reduces and the risks from shrinkage cracking when the hot metal alloy cools after being electro-plated.

Bismuth Vanadate pigments are valued for their bright yellow, highly saturated colours characterised by outstanding opacity/hiding power, chemical resistance, excellent weatherability and durability. Bismuth mitigates lead-toxicity concerns in this application and is environmentally safe. Bismuth iridescence is also leveraged to make pearlescent paints and metallic paint lustres.

Bismuth also has non-coating applications in the automotive industry, including self-lubricating abrasives used to make clutch and brake friction pads.

In the residential and commercial construction industry, the low melting temperature and reduced volume of bismuth during heating is leveraged to make the trigger mechanisms for fire depressant sprinkler systems. These properties are also valued in the nuclear energy industry, with some reactor designs using bismuth as a reactor coolant. The high density is also now used to make no-toxic radiation shielding foils and x-ray bibs.

Growth and developing markets for bismuth

Growth in the bismuth market is primarily attributed to lead replacement because of concerns over lead-toxicity and legislation that has banned lead use in potable drinking water sources, consumer products and for workplace materials.  Bismuth is scientifically recognised as environmentally safe and non-toxic, but otherwise has similar physical and chemical properties to lead. It is therefore used to replace lead in brasses and solders used for the wetted surfaces of potable drinking water sources (e.g. faucets, valves and water metres).  Bismuth solders are also used in the electronics industry.  Bismuth also replaces lead in free machining steels and aluminium, hot dip galvanising alloys, radiation shielding, glass, ammunition, and fishing sinkers.

There is a new, rapidly expanding market for bismuth metal, making environmentally safe, high density and impermeable plugs to permanently seal oil and gas wells when they are decommissioned, preventing greenhouse gas leakage, blowouts and groundwater migration.  Bismuth-tin alloy is used in this application because of the low melting temperature and low viscosity of the melt which fills the porosity. The alloy expands 1% upon cooling to make an impermeable seal to permanently plug the hole and eliminate greenhouse gas leakage.  Tin is used in the alloy to mitigate the brittleness of bismuth and reduce the expansion properties of bismuth so that the host rock is not fractured from the expansion.  This method is now used extensively for offshore well plugging in the North Sea and Gulf of Mexico, where individual plugs can consume up to 10 tonnes of metal.  The method already accounts for approximately 10% of bismuth metal consumption and is now being used to plug terrestrial wells. Notably, there are more than a million abandoned oil and gas wells in North America alone that have been improperly decommissioned and are leaking gases into the atmosphere.

Another important developing market for bismuth metal is in the manufacture of manganese-bismuth permanent magnets. The performance of these magnets was recently validated by the U.S. Department of Energy at their Pacific Northwest Laboratory and they were found to be cheaper and superior to rare earth element (REE) magnets in some applications.  The magnets have potential use in the powertrains for electric vehicles (EV’s) with direct current (DC) powertrains, which dominate the EV industry.  Two Korean magnet companies and an unidentified OEM are in the process of commercializing theses manganese-bismuth magnets for eMobility.

Bismuth is used in defense to make directed energy weapons.  This, and other applications led the U.S. Department of Defense to add bismuth to the list of Critical Minerals prioritised for DPA Title III funding support.

The bismuth price in North America is approximately US$4 to US$4.50 per pound and reflects a 25% tariff levied on Chinese bismuth supply by the U.S. Government.  The price has been steadily recovering from increased market demand and absorption of a previous surplus of metal that was held by the now defunct Fanya Metals Exchange in China.  Prior to this surplus, the price had traded between US$8 to US$10 per pound and attained has reached a historic high price of US$23 per pound.

Fortune Minerals Limited (Fortune) is developing its vertically integrated NICO Cobalt-Gold-Bismuth Copper Project in Canada, comprised of a planned mine and concentrator in the Northwest Territories and a hydrometallurgical refinery near Edmonton, Alberta. While primarily a cobalt-gold project, NICO is the largest deposit of bismuth in the world, containing 12% of global reserves.  When it is developed, the NICO Project will produce cobalt sulphate for the lithium-ion battery industry, gold doré, bismuth ingots and copper, as well as gypsum as a process by-product.  The NICO Project will provide an important new North American source of cobalt, bismuth, and copper Critical Minerals to diversify the supply chain with a countercyclical and liquid gold co-product.

The NICO Project is an advanced development stage asset that Fortune has already expended more than C$137 million to advance from an in-house mineral discovery to a near shovel-ready development asset with a positive Feasibility Study, environmental assessment approval and the major mining permits.  The NICO Project Feasibility Study is planned to be updated at to reflect recent optimisations and average annual production of 1,800 metric tonnes of cobalt (~8,780 tonnes of cobalt sulphate), 47,000 Troy ounces of gold, 1,700 tonnes of bismuth in ingots, and 300 tonnes of copper in a cement precipitate. Fortune has also entered into a process collaboration agreement with Rio Tinto to assess the feasibility of processing waste streams from the Kennecott smelter in Utah, U.S.A. at the Alberta refinery and increase bismuth and cobalt production. This cross-border initiative is aligned with the U.S. – Canada Collaboration on Critical Minerals Supply. Fortune is also aware of other potential feed sources that could be processed at the Alberta refinery to augment metal production.

fortuneminerals.com

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Focus on Smart Coatings: LLM Fuels AI Innovations in the Coatings Industry

Focus on Smart Coatings: LLM Fuels AI Innovations in the Coatings Industry

Sarah Gibbons reports for PPCJ on how Large Language Models (LLM) is fuelling AI innovations that could transform the paint and coatings sector

From formula composition and supply chain logistics to regulatory compliance, defect identification and corporate reputation, paint and coatings industry companies are exploring the growing potential of artificial intelligence (AI).  

With AI taking many different forms, key to the paint and coatings sector’s adoption of more widespread AI options are LLMs (large language models), such as ChatGPT, GPT-4, Llama 2 and Mistral 7B: “By using LLM you can easily allow users to interact with AI in a human-readable way instead of using code, as well as allowing AI to work with vast amounts of unstructured data which may be in various different formats,” London-based AI consultant Garuka Serasinghe who works with AI consultancy Futura, told PPCJ.   

Dr Robail Yasrab, Senior Researcher in AI at the UK’s University of Cambridge, explained: “LLMs can help synthesise vast amounts of paint industry research data, identifying trends, innovations and potential improvements in paint formulations or manufacturing processes.”  

And he said by analysing and interpreting data from manufacturing pipelines, LLMs can support and identify issues that lead to defects or deviations in paint quality, thus developing more active quality control procedures and analytical maintenance strategies. 

However, he said, “the most prominent factor that could be taken care of by LLMs are the future enhancements in customer engagement” through personalised recommendations, virtual colour consultations and prompt responses to customer queries. There is also important potential for integration with virtual reality (VR) and augmented reality (AR) systems to optimise customer experience when selecting products.  

Serasinghe told PPCJ that, in the R&D phase, AI can be used to analyse many combinations of different chemicals and advise on which combination works best.  “For example, if we were to look for a light blue paint, which is mould resistant, AI can do its magic to come up with the best possible formulation for that,” he suggested.  Add in data from previous invoices and other raw material information and more detailed product viability can be established, he said.  

Using machine learning or deep learning solutions alongside LLMs, he said can maximise data processing power: “You can submit a whole bunch of previous reports [and] data to a software solution, and then ask questions like: ‘There is a new [EU] directive on CO2 emissions on paint manufacturing, limiting CO2 emissions to 100kg for 1,000 litres of paint. Given the previous CO2 emissions from using various power sources including main electricity, solar and wind, suggest the best option to achieve those emission targets with lowest cost to the company.”  

Kurt Cagle, an AI consultant from Seattle, USA, CEO of Semantical, an enterprise data hubs and metadata management consultancy, told PPCJ that LLMs can be trained to identify which material combinations would violate environmental laws. He said significant efforts are going into building interfaces between AI systems to allow more data querying that would benefit the coatings sector.  

For example, he said, regarding logistics, asking an LLM system a consignment’s location will not work, but that system now knows where to ask for that information.  

That would be the ‘mixture of experts’ (MOE), a machine learning technique that leverages the power of collective intelligence by merging insights from various specialised models. That includes expert databases, graphs and other LLMs “and ask for a map to be generated using that data to show expected delivery dates, weak points regarding port back-ups, revised alternative routes or material suppliers”.  

Serasinghe said LLMs quickly analyse customer feedback, channelling it to the appropriate mechanism, for example complaints or refunds, adding: “Understanding natural language, it can monitor social media to prevent wildfire issues spreading which can be damaging to a company’s reputation if unchecked.”  

And he agreed with Yasrab who suggested evolution in the LLM space in the next five years will focus on integration with other forms of AI, such as computer vision and predictive analytics, “leading to more broad and multi-faceted AI applications” in the coatings industry.  

A blog from analytics platform www.datatobiz.com said last July (2023) that computer vision and AI are being used to analyse images in bulk to develop smart coatings: “By understanding the functioning of the microstructures in the materials, a manufacturer can not only create more durable and better-quality paints but can also optimise production to reduce input costs,” it said.   

Serasinghe said such AI combinations can also identify defects and be used for predictive maintenance to keep machines working with less downtime.  

Meanwhile, Pittsburgh, USA-based AI solution provider Cognistx has launched a deep learning system using raw material and plant conditions data to help secure consistency in pH, colour and paint viscosity to reduce waste and associated costs.  

ALSO, AOM-Systems, based in Heppenheim, Germany, has launched a laser-based sensor and measurement system ‘SpraySpy’, using its integrated ‘SprayAI’ function to monitor paint droplet application.  

SprayAI algorithms detect even the smallest anomalies in spray according to set parameters, in real time, helping prevent many common paint coating defects.  

Monitoring the layer thickness enables it to detect if a minimum or maximum layer thickness is reached, which can be essential, for example in the application of a fire protection coating, said a company note.  

Also in Germany, Hirschau-based Dorfner, a raw minerals solutions provider, has partnered with generative AI platform for materials and chemicals Citrine Informatics, from California, to optimise paint formulations.  

A company note said: “Dorfner can now identify optimal ingredient combinations, refine formulations, and address customer requirements with greater precision and efficiency than ever before,” using AI algorithms and advanced data analysis based on a decade of historical data.  

Another service is the ‘Snap It Button’, from Ohio, USA-based paint producers Sherwin-Williams, which instantly turns any online image into “a personalised paint palette”, said a company note. The system lets the user select an image and instantly identify the Sherwin-Williams paint colours that correspond to the colours contained within the picture.  

The button can be downloaded onto a browser so any online image can be viewed and analysed.  

Meanwhile, French home improvement company Bricorama, based in the Paris suburb of Noisy-le-Grand, has joined forces with Dublin, Ireland-based global professional services company Accenture to launch ‘pAInt,’ a generative AI-powered shopping assistant that helps customers with their painting projects. It suggests trending styles, helps the purchase of materials and offers best practice guides on painting.  

A company note said ‘pAInt’ is a “conversational tool that customers can interact with for help with paint colours and finishes, decorating ideas from Bricorama’s video content, demonstrations, paint quantity, brushes and other accessories”.  

With research ongoing around the world, Dr Erik D Sapper, associate professor at California Polytechnic State University, predicted more areas of the paint production process aligning with diverse AI solutions soon to overhaul much of the industry’s traditional make-up.  

He told PPCJ: “Currently, automated laboratory equipment and processes require many person-hours of engineering, tinkering, programming, and troubleshooting. When human users can tell roboticised labs what to do in natural human language, the adoption and efficiency of digitalisation and roboticisation will flourish.”    

The coatings industry, it seems, is about to be front and centre of the inexorable drive to integrate AI into business.  

www.datatobiz.com

www.cognistx.com

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Hempel to Divest J.W. Ostendorf and Renaulac as Next Step on Strategic Journey

Hempel to Divest J.W. Ostendorf and Renaulac as Next Step on Strategic Journey

The prospective new owner, Fidelium Partners, would take over the production site in Germany and stores in France, together with around 500 employees and a portfolio of customers.

Key messages

  • Hempel A/S announces its intention to divest J.W. Ostendorf and Renaulac.
  • The sale would include a production site in Germany, stores in France, around 500 employees and a portfolio of customers.
  • This sale would see Hempel take the next step on its strategic journey and focus its portfolio on the branded decorative business.
  • The sale is expected to be completed in Q3 2024, pending relevant approvals.

World-leading supplier of paint and coatings, Hempel A/S, has signed an agreement to divest its J.W. Ostendorf and Renaulac business in France and Germany to Fidelium Partners, subject to relevant approvals.

The sale of Hempel’s predominantly private label business marks the next step on its ambitious growth strategy and brings strategic focus on growing the branded business in its Decorative customer segment.

Hempel acquired the predominantly private label business, J.W. Ostendorf and Renaulac, in 2018. Since then, Hempel has built a portfolio of decorative brands through further acquisitions, which now make up the majority of Hempel’s Decorative segment and comprise Farrow & Ball, Crown Paints, Hempel and Wattyl.

“In pursuit of achieving Hempel’s ambitious Double Impact strategy, we have made the strategic decision to focus on our full-service Deco brands within our Decorative segment,” says Ana Henriques, Executive Vice President and Head of Decorative at Hempel A/S. “The consequence of that focus is the sale of J.W. Ostendorf and Renaulac. In Fidelium Partners, we have found a committed new prospective owner with a long-term interest in growing the business. We believe that we have found a good new home for our around 500 colleagues from J.W. Ostendorf and Renaulac.”

The sale is expected to be completed in Q3 2024, pending relevant approvals. Transactional details will remain confidential, according to the terms of the purchase agreement.

www.hempel.com

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FEICA 2024 Open for Registration

FEICA 2024 Open for Registration

FEICA, the Association of the European Adhesive & Sealant Industry, is a multinational association representing the European adhesive and sealant industry. With the support of its national associations and several direct and affiliated members, FEICA coordinates, represents and advocates the common interests of the industry throughout Europe. In this regard, FEICA works with all relevant stakeholders to create a mutually beneficial economic and legislative environment.

FEICA 2024 European Adhesive & Sealant Conference and Expo

The FEICA 2024 European Adhesive & Sealant Conference and Expo is proudly supported by PPCJ and is a must-attend event for all stakeholders in the adhesive and sealant industry in Europe. The 2024 edition will take place at NH Conference Centre, Noordwijkerhout, the Netherlands, from 11 to 13 September 2024.

The online registration for the FEICA 2024 European Adhesive & Sealant Conference and EXPO is now open. Delegates are encouraged to register now to take advantage of the early bird registration fees and save up to 200€. Early bird registration will be available until midnight 31 May 2024.

Economic resilience through sustainable solutions

The FEICA 2024 Conference Business Forum and breakout sessions will focus on the theme ‘Economic Resilience through Sustainable Solutions’.

Against the backdrop of a continuously evolving global landscape, the adhesives and sealants industry faces multifaceted challenges. The FEICA Conference seeks to navigate through them by spotlighting the pivotal role of sustainable solutions in shaping economic resilience. From raw material procurement to manufacturing processes and end-of-life considerations, the Conference offers insights into a holistic approach to a more sustainable and economically robust industry, with presentations illustrating how innovations not only align with EU sustainability goals but also translate into tangible business advantages.

The FEICA 2024 Expo

The Table Top Exhibition provides an opportunity for all producers, distributors, suppliers and service providers linked to the adhesive and sealant industry to show their latest developments and sustainable solutions. Should you be interested in reserving a table top, please visit the Conference website here or contact Marion Kraemer.

www.feica-conferences.com

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