Drinking water pressure pipes made from chemically recycled plastic installed in Vienna, Austria

• Drinking water pressure pipes made from chemically recycled plastic were installed in Vienna, Austria, during June 2024
• The initiative is the result of an all-Austrian value chain collaboration between Borealis, Pipelife, a solution brand of wienerberger, and Wiener Wasser in the spirit of EverMinds
• The pipe polyolefin material is based on Borealis’ transformational Borcycle C chemical recycling technology

Borealis is pleased to announce the success of a value chain collaboration to develop a chemically recycled drinking water pressure pipe. Around 660 meters of polyethylene PE100-RC (crack resistant) drinking water pressure pipes based on Borealis’ transformational Borcycle  C technology platform are being laid in Vienna, marking a significant step forward on the path to a circular economy.

The installation is the result of a pilot project to help Wiener Wasser (the Vienna Water Department), increase the sustainability of its operations.

The groundbreaking initiative is the outcome of an all-Austrian partnership between Borealis, Pipelife, a solution brand of wienerberger, and Wiener Wasser—a collaboration carried out in the spirit of EverMinds, Borealis’ platform to accelerate the transition to a circular economy for plastics.

Creating drinking water pressure pipes from recycled plastic posed a significant challenge due to the high purity and quality requirements of materials used in sensitive and demanding applications. The breakthrough was made possible by Borcycle C technology, with which polyolefin-based waste is chemically recycled into new, virgin-quality plastics that are capable of meeting stringent performance standards. Mechanically recycled polyethylene and polypropylene do not yet meet the standards required for pressure pipe applications.

The specific grade, BorSafe  Bc HE3490-LS-H-90, contains over 90% chemically recycled content, based on a mass balance allocation. This enabled the project partners to avoid a lengthy revalidation and reapproval process. The integrity of the approach is verified by ISCC PLUS certification (International Sustainability & Carbon Certification), which covers the entire supply chain, from raw material to final product, guaranteeing compliance with strict sustainability standards.

“This is an excellent example of how our infrastructure pipe solutions are enabling life’s essentials,” states John Webster, Borealis Global Commercial Director Infrastructure. “We have a long track record of providing innovative and advanced pipe solutions for the global infrastructure industry. In expanding our offering to include more sustainable solutions, we’re pleased to continue this legacy.”

The project also leverages the considerable experience of Pipelife, an international manufacturer of piping solutions, which is part of wienerberger, one of the leading providers of innovative, ecological solutions for the entire building envelope in the areas of new buildings and renovations, as well as infrastructure in water and energy management. As manufacturers of the PE100-RC drinking water pressure pipes, Pipelife benefitted from the fact that Borcycle C grades are a drop-in solution, processable on existing equipment. The sustainable, leak-tight PE pipes have an expected lifespan of over 100 years, helping to mitigate the global water shortage.

“We aim to support our customers by anticipating their future needs and developing processes and products to meet them,” says Zoran Davidovski, Pipelife Head of Research & Development and Sustainability. “Integrating chemically recycled materials into our product range is a perfect example of this, and also aligns with our own commitment to advancing sustainability.”

This pilot project is intended to pave the way for future collaborations between the partners, confirming Austria’s position as a leader in sustainable innovation.

www.borealisgroup.com 

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LEIBINGER’s ‘Plug & Print’ promise now also applies to SAP Shop Floor environments

SAP ranks among the leading ERP systems worldwide. Especially in the food and packaging sectors, SAP plays a key role in the efficient organisation of supply chain processes. As so many LEIBINGER customers come from these sectors, the industrial printer specialist will be offering SAP users even greater convenience, security and efficiency when connecting printers to SAP Shop Floor in the future.

Collaboration with 4IoT GmbH: Simple printer integration

In collaboration with the Freiburg-based SAP digitalisation experts at 4IoT GmbH, their SAP Shop Floor Connect add-on has been expanded to include a LEIBINGER printer library. This enables all LEIBINGER printers to be connected to SAP Plug & Play in a standard application. Michael Wöhrmann, Director of Business Development at LEIBINGER, is delighted with the successful integration: “This represents a significant advantage for our customers, as LEIBINGER printers can now be integrated into the SAP world much more quickly and efficiently. With this work as a foundation, essential customer printer-related business processes can be automated. All printer data and messages are directly available. For instance, automated order releases or production feedback into the SAP system are conceivable. All printer data and messages are directly available.”

Efficient dashboard for LEIBINGER customers directly in SAP

LEIBINGER customers who use SAP now benefit from a clearly organised dashboard where they can view all status data, error messages and process data, including consumables levels (ink and solvents).

Flexible interfaces: Cloud and on-premises

The interface fulfils all requirements and can be operated both in the cloud via the well-known ‘LEIBINGER Connect’ portal as well as on-premises. LEIBINGER’s latest flagship product, the IQJET, provides an OPC UA interface for the on-premises connection. This is especially interesting for sensitive industries such as semiconductors, pharmaceuticals, security and defence.

Availability and support package for Europe

Customers interested in the SAP add-on can obtain it from LEIBINGER with immediate effect. The connection of LEIBINGER printers is free of charge. If additional guidance and support is required, LEIBINGER offers a special support package in collaboration with 4IoT GmbH. This includes integration, training and extended telephone support for SAP users. The offer is initially only valid for Europe due to the binding support times.

Expert opinion

4IoT GmbH Managing Director Stefan Rössel is extremely satisfied with the integration project: “We are experts in automation, digitalisation and maximum security in the SAP environment and have extensively tested the interface. It has never been so easy, secure and reliable for SAP users to seamlessly integrate industrial printers into their SAP Shop Floor world. The collaboration with the LEIBINGER team is extremely productive for everyone involved.”

Presentation at the FACHPACK trade fair

The SAP Shop Floor integration will be presented at the upcoming FACHPACK trade fair between 24 and 26 September in Nuremberg. LEIBINGER’s motto this year is ‘The Art of Innovative Coding’. It ideally suits the 4IoT motto, ‘The Art of Smart Manufacturing’, which underscores the fine art of digital integration.

www.leibinger-group.com

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Enhancing Freshness with Blend Colours’ Fresh Keeper Masterbatch: A Step Forward in Food Preservation

Keeping produce fresh from farm to table is a top priority for the packaging industry. At Blend Colours, we offer Fresh Keeper Masterbatch, a unique additive solution designed to preserve the quality of fruits, vegetables, and flowers. Here’s why Fresh Keeper Masterbatch is your best choice for extended freshness:

• Limits Ethylene Accumulation: These additive traps and oxidizes ethylene gas, a ripening agent, in packaging to delay aging and reduce spoilage.Extends Freshness by 20-30%: Fresh Keeper Masterbatch lengthens shelf life, ensuring produce remains at peak freshness.

• Long-lasting Anti-ripening Action: Provides consistent ethylene control, even during prolonged storage and transit.

Improved Storage and Transit Life: Ideal for supply chains, helping produce reach consumers in optimal condition.

• Dosage: 1-3% Its suitable to be use in film application, material should be dries before use.
• Compliance: with RoHS, US FDA 21 CFR

Why Choose Blend Colours?

Our commitment to innovation and quality ensures that our masterbatches meet industry standards and deliver proven benefits. Make the smart choice for preserving freshness – choose Blend Colours.

www.blendcolour.com

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Husky’s PET closure wins Packaging Europe Sustainability Award, advancing circularity in beverage packaging

Husky Technologies, a pioneering technology provider enabling the delivery of essential needs to the global community, announces that its groundbreaking PET closure has won the Packaging Europe Sustainability Award in the Driving Circular Economy category. This award, presented at the Sustainable Packaging Summit that took place in Amsterdam on November 12, reflects Husky’s commitment to enabling true circularity in the beverage packaging industry.

In a market traditionally dominated by two-material bottle-and-closure solutions, Husky’s PET closure is set to transform industry standards. By creating a fully PET-based mono-material solution that integrates seamlessly with existing PET recycling streams, Husky is streamlining the material sorting process, reducing environmental impact, and unlocking new efficiencies in recycling and lightweighting.

“At Husky, our commitment to enabling the packaging industry to transition from a linear to a circular economy is taken seriously. Winning the Packaging Europe Sustainability Award for our PET closure reflects this commitment to delivering innovative, sustainable solutions that meet global demands for more circular packaging,” said Robert Domodossola, Husky’s President of Systems and Tooling. “Our PET closure is designed to advance the recyclability and functionality of beverage packaging by providing a mono-material solution that represents a significant step forward for the industry and consumers alike.”

Husky’s new PET closure is designed to improve both operational and environmental performance of the complete beverage package by enabling:

• Enhanced Circularity: By aligning both closure and bottle materials, the need for multi-material sorting is eliminated, resulting in higher yields of recyclable PET.
• Improved Efficiency: The PET closure’s rigid properties enable meaningful reductions in material use and weight, minimizing costs and waste.
• Reliable Performance: Unmatched patented tamper evident forming approach for
• consumer safety. The capping process is virtually stress-free and yields a lower reject rate.

Unveiled earlier this year at NPE 2024 in Orlando, Florida, Husky’s PET closure has already garnered strong industry support, with select early adopters preparing for commercial production in 2025. This success reflects Husky’s mission to make a positive global impact by driving sustainable innovation in circular packaging

www.husky.ca

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Syensqo: Pioneering Healthcare Applications with Advanced Materials

Syensqo is a relatively new name in the market. Can you explain a little about who you are?

Syensqo was formed in January 2024, when 160-year-old global chemicals company, Solvay, spun-off its specialty business. Founded in 1863, Solvay’s original development was a process for the production of soda ash; over the years a diverse range of materials were brought to market to meet the demands of many industries.  So while Syensqo is a new name in the market today, our materials, technologies and people have been providing specialty polymer products, such as Udel PSU and Radel PPSU to the healthcare sector for decades.

Our materials play in three main applications:  Packaging with high-barrier PVDC used in blister packs; hemodialysis with polysulfones for blood filtration; and medical devices. Within medical devices, our markets include surgical instruments, implants, applications in biopharmaceutical processing, and many other applications within the medical device market where we leverage our specialty product portfolio – one of the largest in the industry.  It is worth noting that we are the only company in the world producing sulfone-based implantable materials.

Why use specialty polymer materials in medical applications?

 Materials used in healthcare applications must meet stringent standards to ensure both regulatory compliance and high performance in demanding medical environments. ISO 10993 is the primary standard for biocompatibility in medical applications, while USP Class VI is essential for materials used in biopharmaceutical processing.

In terms of performance, the demanding environments of the medical field necessitate materials with exceptional properties. Key among these are superior mechanical characteristics such as strength, stiffness, and durability. Medical applications often involve scenarios where materials must withstand high stress, impact, and other challenging conditions. Specialty polymers excel in these areas, as they occupy the high-performance zone of the polymer pyramid and are specifically designed to meet the needs of more extreme environments.

Sterilization capability is another critical consideration. Reusable devices require materials that can endure a higher number of sterilization cycles compared to single-use devices. However, compatibility with multiple sterilization methods is essential for both types, given the diverse techniques employed across the industry. For instance, Syensqo’s Ixef PARA is specifically engineered for single-use instrumentation and excels in gamma sterilization. In contrast, Radel PPSU, a polymer with over 30 years of use in the medical industry, is the gold standard for reusable instruments, maintaining its properties through 1,000 steam sterilization cycles.

Finally, chemical resistance is crucial for materials used in medical environments, which are often harsh and contain a variety of aggressive substances, including drug products, bodily fluids, and cleaning agents. Maintaining performance under these conditions is essential. Therefore, when selecting a polymer material, it is important to prioritize its chemical resistance to ensure durability and reliability in such demanding settings.

What are the most important design considerations when designing medical applications with specialty polymers?

In addition to their high performance properties already discussed, specialty polymer materials offer the unique capability to create more complex geometries than traditional metal materials. Combination and consolidation of parts is also possible with specialty polymers through the use of injection molding. While Syensqo does not design parts, we support designers of medical products through several supportive services that allow predictive analysis of the part during the design phase.  Finite Element Analysis (FEA), Moldflow analysis, and Computer Aided Engineering (CAE) simulations help predict the behavior of a new part and allow device designers to realize more efficient solutions.

Why is the use of plastic increasing in the medical sector, often replacing metal in traditional applications?

The overall market demand for plastics suitable for medical applications is expected to exceed $28 billion in the coming years.  Specialty polymers offer a unique value proposition in medical applications for a few reasons.  First, specialty polymers have excellent strength, stiffness and thermal stability, similar to metal, but are much lighter in weight than metal devices, in some cases up to 50%.  Lighter weight devices offer improved ergonomics and ease-of-use for medical professionals.

Another beneficial feature of polymer materials is that they may be either transparent or colored.  These features offer quick identification and visual management in medical settings, increasing efficiency and helping to reduce errors.

Finally, polymers offer a range of processing capabilities from machining of stock shapes to injection molding.   A frequent mis-conception is that high-strength, high performance polymer parts cannot be achieved through injection molding.  In fact, the ease and efficiency of injection molding specialty polymer materials allows manufacturers to more cost-effectively scale their part production, compared with similar metal designs. Injection molding of specialty polymers results in excellent surface quality directly from the molding operation, eliminating the high cost and time of polishing and assembling a similar machined metal component.

Natalia Widjojo

Life Solutions Marketing Manager – APAC

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