On April 4, the State Administration for Market Regulation of China announced that DuPont China Holding Co., Ltd. is being investigated for suspected violations of the Anti-Monopoly Law of the People's Republic of China. The market regulation authority has initiated a formal investigation against DuPont China Holding Co., Ltd. in accordance with the law. The specific reasons are still unknown, but against the backdrop of China's strong emphasis on foreign investment, the investigation into DuPont China may highlight China's determination to create a fairer market environment or have profound effects on the operating models of multinational companies in China. It is reported that DuPont established its office in Beijing in 1984 and set up its first wholly foreign-owned enterprise, DuPont China Group Limited, in Shenzhen in 1988, becoming the first wholly foreign-owned investment company approved by the Chinese government. It is reported that by 2025, DuPont will have more than 40 wholly-owned and joint ventures in China, covering the entire industrial chain from basic chemical materials to high-end automotive and electronic solutions. Some of the core brands mainly include: Kevlar®: para-aramid fiber, mainly used for protective equipment, industrial and technological applications, and sports equipment. Nomex®: meta-aramid fiber, whose needle-punched products are mainly used as high-temperature filtration materials and insulation materials; Tyvek®: A 100% high-density polyethylene nonwoven fabric produced using flash-spun technology, featuring waterproof, breathable, tear-resistant, and eco-friendly recyclable properties. It has a smooth surface suitable for printing and is used in medical, industrial, and active packaging applications. Cyrel®: Focused on flexographic printing solutions, especially optimized printing plates for UV-LED technology. Artistri®: Water-based digital printing inks covering textiles, packaging, and commercial printing; Corian®: artificial stone material; Tedlar®: Polyvinyl fluoride (PVF) film, used in photovoltaics, etc. MOLYKOTE®: Special Lubricating Oil; Liveo™: Silicone elastomers, silicone skin adhesives, transdermal adhesives and other silicone applications; Solamet®: Photovoltaic conductive paste However, in terms of popularity, apart from nylon and aramid, DuPont also has globally leading products such as Dupont™ Teflon (polytetrafluoroethylene), Riston™ (dry film photoresist technology), Kapton® (high-temperature resistant polyimide film), Pyralux® (polyimide flexible circuit materials), Kalrez® (perfluoroelastomer seals), and Delrin® homopolymer acetal. DuPont's base layout in China is centered around the Yangtze River Delta (Shanghai, Jiangsu, Zhejiang) and the Pearl River Delta (Guangdong), radiating nationwide. Among them, the most well-known is the DuPont Zhangjiagang base, located in the Yangtze River International Chemical Industrial Park of Zhangjiagang Free Trade Zone. The products include Zytel® nylon engineering plastics, Delrin® homopolymer formaldehyde resin, Hytrel® thermoplastic polyester, Multibase thermoplastic elastomer (TPE), lubricants, and special organic silicone materials. It has also established the Zhangjiagang adhesive integration project, with the main products being adhesives and related materials. BETAFORCE™ TC thermally conductive adhesive and BETATECH™ thermally conductive gap filler—supporting battery thermal management in hybrid and electric vehicles during charging and operation. (2) BETAFORCE™ Composite Adhesive - For Battery Sealing and Assembly; (3) BETAMATE™ Wide Bake Temperature Adhesive and Structural Adhesive – Used for automotive body structures and battery bonding, it enhances the vehicle's crash resistance and reduces the weight of the body structure. Adhesives play a pivotal role in the automotive industry. According to data from the China Adhesives and Tape Industry Association, the adhesive usage per vehicle in new energy vehicle power battery assembly (including PACK sealing, structural thermal conduction, structural bonding, BMS protection, cell bonding, battery potting, thread locking, and shell bonding) will reach approximately 5 kilograms. Additionally, automotive electronics (such as power inverters, control modules, displays, reverse radar systems, etc.) are another major application area for adhesives. Among these, thermal conductive adhesives are particularly important—the greater the computational demand, the higher the thermal conductivity requirements, and the more thermal conductive adhesive is used. In addition to being placed under investigation, on the same day, April 4th, the Tariff Policy Committee of the State Council issued an announcement to impose an additional 34% tariff on all imported goods originating from the United States, based on the existing applicable tariff rates. DuPont, which owns many market-leading products, will also be affected. In 2024, DuPont's total net sales were $12.386 billion (approximately 90.5 billion yuan), with the Greater China region accounting for 18% of the revenue. Given the importance of this market, how will DuPont China respond to the current crisis?

AURELIUS Private Equity Mid-Market Buyout announced the acquisition of Teijin Automotive Technologies North America ('TAT-NA'). TAT-NA is one of the leaders in advanced composite materials technology for the automotive, heavy truck, marine, and recreational vehicle sectors, under its ultimate parent company, Teijin Limited. This acquisition is the first deal advised by AURELIUS' New York investment consulting team just a few months after opening its North American market office. Producing advanced composite materials components for automobiles TAT-NA is headquartered in Auburn Hills, Michigan, with approximately 4,500 employees and annual revenues exceeding $1 billion. The company has 14 branches in the United States and Mexico, specializing in the development and production of advanced composite parts for the global automotive and transportation industries. TAT-NA's vertically integrated operational model and market-leading scale provide reliable assets and capabilities to maintain long-term supply relationships with major OEMs in North America.AURELIUS will provide new growth opportunities for the standalone TAT-NA business, whose unique, durable lightweight composite products are independent of the powertrain and thus well-suited to meet the long-term demand for Class A and structural vehicle components."Teijin Automotive Technologies North America has a long history of supplying major players in the North American automotive industry. We are particularly proud of this acquisition, as it is the first deal advised by our recently opened New York office. Our operations consulting team's experts will focus on providing a range of value creation plans across the entire production base network, while driving operational excellence through improved quality and efficiency," said Stephan Mayerhausen, Managing Director of AURELIUS Investment Advisory and head of AURELIUS's New York office."When we look to the future with the resources and support of the AURELIUS team, we are excited about the opportunities," said TAT-NA CEO Chris Twining. "The AURELIUS Operations Consulting team is committed to ensuring we remain at the forefront of the market, and I look forward to working with them to continue developing new material technologies while improving our operations, efficiency, and quality."AURELIUS is advised by Mizuho’s M&A team, Baker McKenzie (legal), EY (financial and tax), AON (insurance), and Ramboll (environmental).

International News Digest:Raw Material News - Shell Completes Sale of Refining and Chemical Assets in SingaporeKorean KG Mobility Teams Up with Chery Automobile to Develop Mid-to-Large-Sized SUVPackaging News - 9 million tons of plastic pressure, Vietnam's 870 trillion beverage market faces green packaging transformation!Exhibition Highlights - The RePlast Eurasia Expo will be held in Turkey in May, gathering pioneering forces in the plastic recycling industry.Equipment News - Swiss Auto Injector Manufacturer Invests $220 Million to Build Factory, Entering the U.S. Auto Injection Equipment MarketMarket News - Brazilian Congress Plans to Draft Legislation to Counter Unilateral Trade ActionsMarket Price News - Ethylene Asia: CFR Northeast Asia $855/ton; CFR Southeast Asia $920/ton Here is the translated content:The following is an overview of international news:Shell completes sale of Singapore refining and petrochemical assetsOn April 1, Shell announced that it had completed the sale of its Singapore Energy and Chemicals Park to a joint venture formed by Glencore and Indonesian chemical manufacturer PT Chandra Asri Pacific. Specific financial details were not disclosed. Shell announced the transaction on May 8, 2024. The Singapore Energy and Chemicals Park includes refining and chemical assets located on Pulau Bukom and Jurong Island. The assets on Pulau Bukom include a refinery with a capacity of 237,000 barrels per day, which was established in 1961, and an ethylene cracker with an annual capacity of 1.1 million tons.2. BASF Launches New High-Temperature Nylon Product!Recently, BASF has further expanded its Ultramid® Advanced T1000 series products for durable components requiring special thermal management. This product series is developed based on polyamide 6T/6I resins, and the latest additions include optimized products with high hydrolysis resistance (HR) and high purity (EQ, or electronic grade). The newly developed HR and EQ grades exhibit excellent high strength and high rigidity at elevated temperatures, while also demonstrating outstanding creep resistance and good compatibility with coolants. Their overall performance significantly surpasses that of standard polyamide grades and many other PPA products available on the market.3. In May, the RePlast Eurasia Exhibition will land in Turkey, bringing together pioneering forces in the plastic recycling industry.RePlast Eurasia, as Turkey's first and only exhibition focused on the plastic recycling industry, holds a unique position in the industry. From May 8 to 10, 2025, the exhibition will once again gather leading brands and authoritative experts from the global recycling field. The event is jointly organized by Tuyap and the PAGCEV Association, dedicated to showcasing cutting-edge technological innovations in every aspect of the plastic recycling process. During the exhibition, visitors will have the opportunity to explore hundreds of products and service types, including raw materials, equipment (including advanced waste sorting equipment), recycling technologies, collaboration resources from waste collection and sorting companies, professional design agencies, and consulting services.4. The United States has made a final ruling on the anti-dumping and countervailing duties for epoxy resin, with the dumping margin for Chinese producers/exporters at 354.99%.On March 31, 2025, the U.S. Department of Commerce issued an announcement, making the final ruling on anti-dumping duties for epoxy resins imported from China, India, South Korea, Thailand, and Taiwan, China. Due to the lack of participation in the response from Chinese enterprises, the dumping margin for producers/exporters from China was determined to be 354.99%, while for producers/exporters from India it was 12.69%-15.68%, for those from South Korea it was 5.62%-7.59%, for those from Thailand it was 5.25%, and for those from Taiwan, China it was 10.93%-26.98%.5. Korea's KG Mobility Collaborates with Chery Automobile to Develop Mid-to-Large SUVsOn April 2nd, it was reported that South Korean automaker KG Mobility announced today that it held a joint development signing ceremony for mid-to-large SUV models with Chery Automobile in Wuhu, Anhui yesterday. The two parties will strengthen technical cooperation to promote future development. This signing ceremony follows the strategic partnership and platform licensing agreement signed with Chery in October last year, marking a concrete plan for substantive collaboration. Both sides will jointly develop mid-to-large SUVs for domestic and international markets and enhance cooperation in areas such as autonomous driving and software-defined vehicle E/E architecture (electrical/electronic hardware and software, etc.).6. Plastic Parts manufacturer Pittsfield Plastics installs a 1600-ton injection molding machine to produce PE parts.Injection molder Pittsfield Plastics Engineering (PPE) has announced the installation of a new 1,600-ton Jupiter 14000 injection molding machine from Absolute Haitian Corp. for large-part molding. The press, along with associated robotics and auxiliary equipment, will allow PPE to meet the needs of its latest customer, a manufacturer of septic products and services for the residential and commercial sanitation waste industry.7. Swiss automatic injector manufacturer invests $220 million to build a factory, entering the U.S. automatic injection molding equipment market.SHL Medical, a syringe manufacturer based in Switzerland, officially opened its most advanced new manufacturing plant in North Charleston, South Carolina. SHL Medical stated that the expansion, first announced in summer 2022 with an investment of $220 million, contributed to the local economy and created hundreds of new jobs in the area.8. 9 million tons of plastic pressure, Vietnam's 870 trillion beverage market faces green packaging transformation!The Vietnam Beer-Alcohol-Beverage Association (VBA) highlights that packaging plays a pivotal role in the modern economy by safeguarding products throughout the complex supply chain from production to consumption. It serves as a vital medium for brand communication and is crucial to the efficiency of the entire production and consumption system. Particularly for an economy like Vietnam, which boasts robust exports and strong domestic demand, the healthy development of the packaging industry holds strategic significance. Data from Nguyen Thanh Giang, General Director of Tetra Pak Vietnam, indicates the packaging industry's immense growth potential: Vietnam's food and beverage sector is projected to achieve a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 10.3% by 2027, with the market size reaching 872.9 trillion Vietnamese dong. This powerful market momentum not only demands expanded production capacity in the packaging industry but also raises higher expectations for innovation, functionality (such as aseptic preservation), design, and sustainability. Overseas macro market information:【Brazilian Congress Proposes Bill to Counter Unilateral Trade Actions】 On April 1 local time, the Economic Affairs Committee of the Brazilian Senate unanimously passed a proposal titled the "Economic Reciprocity Bill," aimed at authorizing the Brazilian government to take countermeasures when its foreign trade interests are harmed. Since this bill adopts a fast-track mechanism, it will bypass a full Senate vote and be directly submitted to the House of Representatives for deliberation.【Tesla European Sales Plunge】 Tesla electric vehicles have seen a sharp decline in sales in several European markets due to dissatisfaction with CEO Elon Musk and a boycott of his company's products, as well as reduced appeal after being on the market for many years. According to a report by Agence France-Presse on April 1, data from the French automotive manufacturer and sales platform showed that in March, Tesla's sales in France fell by 36.8% year-on-year amidst a slight dip in the overall French electric vehicle market. Swedish data indicated that Tesla's sales in March dropped by 63.9% year-on-year, and by 55.2% in the first quarter. In Denmark, Tesla's sales in the first quarter declined by 56% year-on-year.Goldman Sachs: Downgrades forecast for 10-year Japanese government bond yield by the end of 2025 to reflect U.S. recession risks; yen is the preferred tool to hedge against U.S. recession and tariff risks. Goldman Sachs' research team stated in a report that it has lowered its forecast for the 10-year Japanese government bond yield by the end of 2025 from the previous 1.60% to 1.50% to reflect the increased risk of a U.S. economic recession. Goldman Sachs noted that the rising risk of such an outcome may affect market pricing of the Bank of Japan's continued tightening policy. Goldman Sachs stated: "The downward trend in the stock market and relatively low U.S. economic growth also tilt the risks towards a stronger yen."Goldman Sachs expects the yen to strengthen to the lower end of the 140 zone against the dollar this year, as concerns around US growth and trade tariffs will boost demand for the yen. It believes that if the risk of a US economic recession increases, the yen will be the best hedge for investors.On April 1st local time, the Mexican government issued a statement saying that President Sheinbaum held his first telephone conversation with new Canadian Prime Minister Carney on the same day, during which both sides reached a consensus on the importance of maintaining economic competitiveness in North America. The statement noted that the leaders of the two countries agreed to continue dialogue to promote the process of regional economic integration while respecting the sovereign rights of member states. The Canadian government's statement described the leaders' call as productive, stating that Canada and Mexico are committed to deepening trade relations and jointly building a stronger economy.【Japanese Rice Prices Hit 12th Straight Week of Record Highs, Average Price per Bag Exceeds 200 Yuan】Latest statistics from Japan’s Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries show that the average price of a 5-kilogram bag of regular rice in Japan is 4,197 yen (approximately 204 yuan RMB), which is about twice the price of the same period last year, marking 12 consecutive weeks of record highs. Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba stated on April 1st that if necessary, the government will release more reserve rice into the market to stabilize prices.【Canada to Avoid Tariff Retaliation That Could Affect Domestic Jobs and Drive Up Prices】 Canada will refrain from implementing tariff countermeasures that could impact domestic employment and increase prices, according to two federal trade advisors. The country will not impose retaliatory tariffs on most U.S. food products and other essential goods.Finland has announced that it will completely shut down coal-fired power plants this spring. On April 1, the Finnish government stated that as two energy companies gradually close all coal-fired power plants, Finland will fully stop using coal in energy production this year. The Finnish government indicated that in the future, energy companies will rely on electric boilers, heat pumps, energy storage, biomass energy, and waste heat recovery to produce thermal energy, while the focus of electricity generation will shift to wind, nuclear, hydro, and solar energy.【MOFCOM Extends Anti-Dumping Investigation on Imported Brandy from EU to July 5】 In accordance with the provisions of the "Regulations of the People's Republic of China on Anti-Dumping," on January 5, 2024, MOFCOM issued Announcement No. 1 of 2024, deciding to initiate an anti-dumping investigation into imported brandy originating from the EU. On December 25, 2024, MOFCOM issued Announcement No. 59 of 2024, deciding to extend the investigation period to April 5, 2025. Given the complexity of this case, in accordance with Article 26 of the "Regulations of the People's Republic of China on Anti-Dumping," MOFCOM has decided to further extend the investigation period to July 5, 2025. Price information:【The central parity rate of the renminbi against the US dollar was下调18 basis points.】Note: It seems there is a missing word in the original Chinese sentence. The correct sentence should be "【人民币兑美元中间价下调18个基点】". The translation provided is the closest accurate representation given the context, but typically it would be phrased as "The central parity rate of the renminbi against the US dollar was下调18 basis points." or more naturally, "The central parity rate of the renminbi against the US dollar was adjusted down by 18 basis points."The central parity rate of the yuan against the US dollar was set at 7.1793, down by 18 basis points. The previous trading day's central parity rate was 7.1775, the official closing rate was 7.2687, and the overnight rate closed at 7.2706.Upstream raw material USD market priceEthylene Asia: CFR Northeast Asia $855/ton; CFR Southeast Asia $920/ton.Propylene Northeast Asia: FOB Korea average price 800 USD/ton; CFR China average price 820 USD/ton, down 5 USD/ton.North Asia frozen cargo CIF price, propane $627-629 per ton; butane $617-619 per ton.The onshore price for South China frozen goods in April is as follows: propane 627-629 USD/ton; butane 617-619 USD/ton.The landed price of frozen goods in the Taiwan region: propane $627-629 per ton; butane $617-619 per ton.【LLDPE U.S. Dollar Market Price】Film: $955/ton (CFR Huangpu);Injection molding: 1010 USD/ton (spot in Dongguan bonded area);【HDPE US Dollar Market Price】Film: $940-950 per ton (CFR Huangpu).Hollow: $890-965/ton (CFR Huangpu)Injection molding: $825/ton (CFR Huangpu).LDPE USD Market PriceFilm: $1120/ton (CFR Huangpu), down $15/ton;Coating: $1360 per ton (CFR Huangpu).PP USD Market PriceAverage concentration: 935-990 USD/ton (spot), down 5 USD/ton;Co-polymer: $995-$1060/ton (CFR Huangpu spot)Film material: 1030-1105 USD/ton (CFR Huangpu);Transparent: $1020-$1050 per ton (CFR Huangpu spot);Tubing: $1,160 per ton (CFR Shanghai).

Recently, the commissioning ceremony for the first phase of the 30,000-ton-per-year modified polymer materials construction project by CGN Juner (Zhongshan) New Materials Co., Ltd. was held at the Greater Bay Area Polymer Materials RD and Intelligent Manufacturing Base.The new project has an area of 18,000 ㎡ and will be operated by Zhongshan Juner Company. It is planned that 12 production lines will be activated in the first phase.The annual production capacity is expected to reach 30,000 tons, mainly producing new materials such as modified polypropylene (PP), polycarbonate (PC), and polyamide (PA)., the products are widely used in automotive, electrical, communication, medical, mechanical, aviation, and other fields. Next, ZS Vision will provide a detailed analysis of modified PP, PC, and PA. We will examine the main application areas of these three materials and briefly discuss the future prospects of China's modified plastics market.I. Modified Polypropylene (PP)Due to the high shrinkage rate, poor dimensional stability, susceptibility to warping and deformation, brittleness at low temperatures, poor toughness, and poor resistance to light and heat aging of PP material, it must be modified. Modified polypropylene PP possesses excellent mechanical properties and can be used as a substitute for engineering plastics, metals, and thermosetting resins.Commonly used PP modified plastics include the following types:1. Flame-retardant PP:The material has a distinct property of significantly delaying flame spread.Application: Flame-retardant PP is mainly used in household appliances, electrical and electronic components, battery housings, and bathroom equipment, etc.2. Enhanced PP:It is a mixture of polypropylene with glass fibers or organic fibers, asbestos, or inorganic fillers (talc powder, calcium carbonate).Application: Enhanced PP is mainly used for manufacturing various mechanical parts, including automotive fans, air conditioning fans, and water purifier filter bottles. In the electrical industry, it can be used to replace ABS and HIPS in various household appliance exterior parts, and is widely used in refrigerator tops, air conditioning bases, foot baths, and more.3. Weather-resistant PP:By modifying PP material for weather resistance, the lifespan of PP material for outdoor use is significantly improved using modified PP.Application: Weather-resistant PP is mainly used in the production of appliance casings, indoor and outdoor air conditioning components, and outdoor products such as assembled flooring.4, High Gloss PP:It is high-gloss polypropylene plastic.Application: High-gloss PP is mainly used for external parts of small household appliances, such as rice cookers, toilet seats, coffee machines, etc.  II. Modified Polycarbonate (PC)The main performance defects of PC are its insufficient hydrolysis stability, sensitivity to notches, poor resistance to organic chemicals, and poor scratch resistance. Long-term exposure to ultraviolet light can cause PC to yellow. Like other resins, PC is also susceptible to erosion by certain organic solvents. PC has poor wear resistance, and some PC devices used in applications prone to wear require special surface treatment.Modified PC is a plastic that undergoes processing modifications on the basis of PC, endowing it with superior properties such as flame retardancy, impact resistance, high toughness, and ease of processing.Common modified PC plastics include the following types:Toughened PC (Polycarbonate)Toughened PC is mainly divided into ordinary toughened PC and high-flow toughened PC.Applications: General-purpose toughened PC materials can be used for thin-wall products, automotive parts, mobile phones, and other electronic and electrical products; while high-flow PC can be used for ultra-thin-wall components, such as tablet back covers (0.4mm).2. Flame-retardant PC:Flame-retardant PC has excellent mechanical properties, high heat deflection temperature, high dielectric strength, good electrical insulation, and also has good flame-retardant effects.Application: Flame-retardant PC can be widely used in high-end chargers, lamp holders, switch panels, and other products.3, GF-PC: Glass Fiber Reinforced PolycarbonateThe material commonly available includes PC+10% GF (glass fiber) and PC+20% GF. PC+10% GF material has excellent impact performance, good toughness; excellent heat resistance, not prone to thermal deformation; less surface floating fibers, evenly distributed glass fibers; good spraying performance, low rate of poor spraying. PC+20% GF material has good flowability and high rigidity; fewer fibers, good chemical resistance; low rate of poor spraying.(1) PC+10%GF material is mainly used for mobile phone middle frames.(2)PC+20%GF material is mainly applied in mobile phone frames, tablet computers, and without steel inserts. III. Modified Polyamide (PA)PA has excellent mechanical properties, wear resistance, and self-lubricity, and it has good formability. However, it has deficiencies in water absorption, dimensional stability, and electrical performance, and its high and low-temperature resistance also needs improvement. Where there is demand, there is production, and modified nylon specialty materials have achieved many improvements through methods such as filling and reinforcement, and blending.The varieties of modified PA are numerous, including reinforced PA, aromatic PA, transparent PA, high-impact (super-tough) PA, electroplating PA, conductive PA, flame-retardant PA, PA blends and alloys with other polymers, etc., meeting various special requirements. As structural materials, they are widely used as substitutes for traditional materials such as metals and wood.Common PC modified plastics include the following types:1. Glass fiber reinforced PAThe characteristics of glass fiber reinforced PA lie in its significant improvement in mechanical properties, heat resistance, and dimensional stability, while maintaining good wear resistance, chemical corrosion resistance, and processability.The application of fiberglass-reinforced PA, due to its excellent properties, is widely used in many fields such as the automotive industry, electronics and electrical appliances, mechanical manufacturing, industrial equipment, aerospace and national defense industry, home products, etc. It provides solutions with high strength, high rigidity, wear resistance, and corrosion resistance for products across various industries.2, Weather-resistant PA:By adding carbon black and other UV-absorbing additives to PA, it exhibits excellent weather resistance, allowing it to be used outdoors or in harsh environments for long periods without easily aging or changing color, while maintaining stable physical and mechanical properties.Application: Weather-resistant PA is widely used in outdoor construction, external automotive parts, electronic and electrical enclosures, outdoor sports equipment, agricultural facilities, and other fields due to its excellent weather resistance. It can maintain stable performance when exposed to harsh environmental conditions such as sunlight, rain, and wind-blown sand for long periods, and it is not prone to aging, discoloration, or brittleness.3. Transparent PA:Transparent PA exhibits good tensile strength, impact resistance, rigidity, wear resistance, chemical resistance, surface hardness, and high light transmittance, comparable to that of optical glass.Application: Transparent PA (polyamide), due to its excellent transparency, chemical resistance, wear resistance, and good processability, is widely used in fields such as optical frames and lenses, automotive interior and exterior components, electronic and electrical domains (such as switches and casings), mechanical parts (such as filters and flow meters), sports equipment (such as sports glasses and diving gear), and as a material for permanent laser marking.4. Flame Retardant PA:Flame-retardant PA has excellent flame-retardant performance, effectively preventing or slowing down combustion while maintaining the original mechanical, heat resistance, and chemical resistance properties of PA.Application: Flame-retardant PA is widely used in fields requiring high flame-retardant performance, such as rail transit, aerospace, automotive manufacturing, electrical and electronic equipment, and building fire protection.  4. What is the prospect of China's modified plastics market?The overall development level of China's modified plastics industry is relatively low. The production scale of enterprises in the industry is relatively small compared to foreign companies in the same industry. The market situation of products is characterized by a large number of low-end products, unstable mid-range products, and a lack of high-end products, far from meeting the needs of China's 21st-century economic development.Therefore, modified plastics, as an important component in the field of new chemical materials, have been listed as one of the key technology development areas by the country. The market for modified plastics used in automobiles in China is primarily occupied by foreign enterprises, with domestic modified plastic companies holding less than one-third of the market share. Most domestic enterprises' products are largely limited to low technical content and low standards, and they clearly lack the capability to explore areas with high performance requirements.The downstream sectors of modified plastics are primarily the automotive, electronic appliances, and home appliance industries, which together account for over 50% of the market. In recent years, the introduction of automotive incentive policies has significantly boosted industry growth. Additionally, the policy direction toward energy conservation and emissions reduction has encouraged automotive manufacturers to reduce vehicle weight to achieve these goals, further driving the development of the modified plastics industry.According to data from the HuaJing Industry Research Institute, benefiting from the continuous expansion of the industry scale and the sustained growth of downstream demand, China's modified plastic production has also continued to increase.In 2023, the market size of modified plastics in China reached 310.7 billion yuan, increasing by 6.44% year-on-year, accounting for 28% of the global market share.The global modified plastic market size was approximately 428.5 billion US dollars in 2023.It is expected that by 2025, the market size in our country will exceed 400 billion yuan, with a CAGR of 8%-10%.There are more than 3,000 modified plastic companies in the country, but only about 70 companies have capacities exceeding 3,000 tons, and there are few domestic companies with capacities over 10,000 tons. Major producers include companies such as Kingfa Sci. Tech., Guoen Co., Ltd., Polynt Reifenadditive, Dynasol Elastomers China, Wote Inc., Rongxin Plastics, YeeTex Technology, PolyUnion, Nanjing JULONG, CGN JUNER, and others.Among them, Kingfa Science Technology and Guonei Co., Ltd. both produced over 100 million tons in 2023, with a combined market share of about 10%; Kingfa Science Technology has the largest market share at 8.33%. Profitec, Dynax, and Unity Drive Plastic had production between 10 and 100 million tons. In the future, driven by trends such as "replacing steel with plastics," "automotive lightweighting," and "home appliances becoming lighter, thinner, and more fashionable," the demand for modified plastics in China will continue to rise. Among these, new energy vehicles, wind and solar energy storage, and humanoid robots are the main growth areas. In particular, 2025, marking the first year of mass production of humanoid robots, will bring new demand growth points.Moreover, the lightweight and intelligent development of automobiles imposes higher requirements on materials. For instance, automotive sensors and electronic control systems require materials with excellent electromagnetic shielding and dimensional stability, which will drive the demand for modified plastics. China Guangdong Nuclear Juner may have precisely perceived the enormous potential for development in the modified plastics market, thus continuously increasing its investment. Source: DT New Materials, Chemical New Materials, New Materials Study Society, Aibang Polymer, Huajing Industry Research InstituteEditor: Shi Shenbing

For durable components requiring special thermal management, BASF has further expanded its Ultramid® Advanced T1000 series. This product line is developed based on polyamide 6T/6I resin, with newly added optimized products featuring high hydrolysis resistance (HR) and high purity (EQ, i.e., electronic quality).The newly developed HR and EQ grades exhibit excellent high strength and stiffness at high temperatures, along with superior creep resistance and excellent tolerance to coolant fluids. Their overall performance significantly outperforms standard polyamide grades as well as many other PPA products on the market. The brand new hydrolysis-resistant Ultramid® Advanced T1300HG7 HR product exhibits excellent chemical stability and dimensional stability even when in contact with various media such as ethylene glycol, thermal oil, and water at temperatures of 130°C and above.This characteristic can significantly extend the service life of components used in automotive cooling systems, such as thermostat housings, oil inlets and outlets, and water pumps.The pure Ultramid® Advanced T1300EG7 EQ contains almost no electroactive components, yet it still exhibits excellent thermal aging resistance when in contact with water, hydrogen, or high-purity cooling media such as Glysantin® FC G20. This characteristic makes this PPA particularly suitable for applications in electric vehicles and fuel cell components, such as end plates, medium distribution components, and humidifiers. Throughout the entire lifecycle of electric vehicles (with a minimum requirement of 25,000 hours), this PPA is able to maintain stable mechanical properties at various temperatures, helping to extend the service life of these components.Marc Keller from BASF's PPA Global Marketing Department stated, "Since we launched Ultramid® Advanced T1000 in 2018, customers have trusted its outstanding performance: it maintains mechanical strength regardless of temperature or climatic conditions, and exhibits excellent moisture and chemical resistance. With the introduction of the new HR and EQ grades, we are raising the bar once again: we are well aware of the growing challenges in thermal management for PPA under demanding conditions, and we can help customers address these challenges while maintaining the performance and safety of their applications." In addition to the newly launched high-performance HR and EQ grades, components requiring laser welding can utilize the Ultramid® Advanced T1000 LT product series, which not only features hydrolysis resistance but also laser transparency.About the Ultramid® Advanced product lineBASF's PPA product series is based on six polymers: Ultramid® Advanced N (PA9T), Ultramid® Advanced T1000 (PA6T/6I), Ultramid® Advanced T2000 (PA6T/66), Ultramid® T KR (PA6T/6), Ultramid® T6000 (PA66/6T), and Ultramid® T7000 (PA/PPA). This product series offers next-generation lightweight, high-performance plastic components for industries such as automotive, electronics and electrical equipment, mechanical engineering, and consumer goods. The series includes over 50 modified specifications for injection molding and extrusion, as well as flame-retardant and non-flame-retardant products. The products are available in various colors, from colorless to laser-marked black, with short glass fiber, long glass fiber, or mineral fiber reinforcement, and various heat stabilizers.In the Ultramid® series, the Ultramid Advanced T1000 (PA6T/6I) product portfolio boasts the highest strength and stiffness, with stable mechanical properties at temperatures of 125°C (dry) and 80°C (conditioned). It exhibits exceptional moisture resistance and corrosion resistance, surpassing traditional polyamides and many other PPA materials available on the market. It is used in the automotive industry, particularly for components that must maintain strength and rigidity when exposed to harsh environments. Additionally, it is found in all other industry applications requiring moisture or chemical resistance, such as thermostat housings and water pumps, fuel circuits and selective catalytic reduction systems, automotive actuators and clutch components, coffee machines, furniture joints, and building applications like manifolds, heating systems, and water pumps. BASF offers the market around 10 different grades, ranging from standard glass fiber-reinforced grades with varying stiffness, strength, and toughness values, to special grades with improved hydrolysis resistance, and long fiber-reinforced compounds with high thermal stability.About high-temperature nylon PPAPolyphthalamide (PPA), also known as high-temperature nylon (HTPA), is a semi-aromatic polyamide made from the polycondensation of phthalic acid and hexamethylenediamine. The molecular chain of HTPA contains rigid benzene rings and long flexible chains of diamine, which endow the polymer with both flexibility and strength, as well as moderate mobility. As a result, it has a high crystallization rate and crystallinity.PPA resin exhibits superior strength and stiffness compared to ordinary nylon resin at high temperatures, along with better chemical resistance. It also performs better than ordinary nylon in humid environments. With a continuous use temperature range from 120°C to 185°C, it can replace metal in high-temperature automotive components.PPA resin is more robust and rigid than aliphatic polyamides such as nylon 66; it is less sensitive to moisture; it has better thermal properties; and it exhibits much better creep, fatigue, and chemical resistance. For example, PPA resin containing 45% glass fiber has a tensile strength of approximately 276 MPa, flexural modulus exceeding 13,786 MPa, and heat deflection temperature (HDT) of 549°F. Even mineral-filled grades of PPA can achieve a tensile strength of 117 MPa. The ductility of PPA resin is not as good as that of nylon 6,6; however, un-reinforced impact-modified grades of PPA resin have been developed, with notched Charpy impact strength as high as 20 ft-lb/in.Due to the excellent physical, thermal, and electrical properties of PPA resin, especially its moderate cost, it has a wide range of applications. These properties, along with its excellent chemical resistance, make PPA a candidate for many uses in the automotive industry.  

On March 28, the Xuyou New Area of Lianyungang City, Jiangsu Province, announced a public notice regarding the environmental impact assessment approval for the second phase of the 100,000 tons/year high-end polyolefin monomer unit and supporting facilities project of Jiangsu Hongjing New Materials Co., Ltd.The second phase of the project plans to build a 50,000-ton-per-year ethylene oligomerization unit and supporting public utilities on the reserved land at Hongjing Company. After completion, it will be capable of producing 33,500 tons per year of 1-octene, 15,600 tons per year of 1-hexene, and 2,900 tons per year of mixed C6.The Hongjing Company's 100,000-ton/year high-end olefin monomer facility and supporting projects have a total investment of 2,484,720,000 yuan; the total investment in phase one is 2,015,984,200 yuan, and the total investment in phase two is 468,735,800 yuan. The environmental protection investment in phase two is 49,595,000 yuan, accounting for 10.58% of the total investment in phase two.The project of 100,000 tons/year high-end polyolefin monomer plant and supporting facilities (Phase I) has received approval from the Environmental Protection Bureau of the National East-West Regional Cooperation Demonstration Zone (Lianyungang Xuwei New Area) on December 31, 2024 (Approval No. [2024] 56 of the Demonstration Zone Environmental Review), mainly producing 100,000 tons of POE annually.This project involves the construction of a 100,000-ton/year high-end polyolefin monomer unit and supporting facilities (Phase II), utilizing the tricyclic tube ethylene oligomerization process to produce 1-octene and 1-hexene. The output of 1-octene will fully meet the demand of the 100,000-ton POE main unit, achieving partial domestic substitution.Jiangsu Hongjing New Materials Co., Ltd. was established in September 2021 and is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Jiangsu Silbon Petrochemical Co., Ltd. (hereinafter referred to as "Silbon Petrochemical"). Silbon Petrochemical is located in the Petrochemical Industry Park of Xuxu New District, Lianyungang City, Jiangsu Province (Lianyungang Petrochemical Industry Base) and is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Shenghong Holding Group Co., Ltd. 

On March 28, a concentrated signing ceremony for the low-altitude economic industry project in Gongqing City and the production launch ceremony for Jiangxi Ruichi Carbon Fiber Composite Materials Company were held. Jiang Wen Ding, Deputy Secretary of the Jiujiang Municipal Committee and Mayor, and Zhang Guoliang, the initiator of Jiangxi Ruichi Investment and founder of Zhongfu Shenying Carbon Fiber Co., Ltd., delivered speeches. Guo Weiquan, Deputy Director of the Provincial Military-Civilian Integration Office, Liu Bing, Member of the Party Leadership Group and Deputy Director of the Provincial Development and Reform Commission, Qu Xiaohua, Member of the Party Leadership Group and Deputy Director of the Provincial Industry and Information Technology Department, and Chen Mingyu, President of the Jiangxi Chamber of Commerce in Jiangsu and Chairman of Nantong Vocational Institute, were also present. Wan Jianming, Secretary of the Gongqing City Committee, hosted the ceremony. Leaders from provincial, Jiujiang City, and Ganjiang New District relevant departments, as well as leaders from Gongqing City and guests from the concentrated signing projects, along with guests from Ruichi's upstream and downstream enterprises, participated in the event.A concentrated signing ceremony for 10 low-altitude economy industrial projects was held on site. The attending leaders pressed the launch ball to jointly witness the official production of the Ruichi project, and upstream and downstream enterprise guests also visited Jiangxi Ruichi Carbon Fiber Composite Materials Company.This batch of centrally signed projects includes 10 projects with a total investment of 1.87 billion yuan, namely the AVIC International Low-altitude Economy Integrated Ecological Construction Strategic Emerging Industry Project and the Remote Sensing Spatial Information Big Data Platform Project, among others. These projects cover areas such as RD and production of drones, drone training, drone inspection and testing, drone agricultural protection and logistics, low-altitude intelligent connected networks, aircraft engine maintenance, passenger sightseeing, aviation exhibitions, and aviation education and training.The Jiangxi Ruichi Carbon Fiber Composite Materials Company, which has recently been put into production, has a total investment of 500 million yuan. It focuses on the research, development, production, and sales of carbon fiber woven fabrics, carbon fiber prepregs, and carbon fiber composite products, with applications in low-altitude economy, rail transit, new energy, and other fields. The project was signed and settled in Gongqing City in December 2024, and it took just over three months from signing to production, fully demonstrating the completeness of Gongqing City's infrastructure in the low-altitude economy and the efficiency of its administrative services.Zhang Guoliang stated in his speech that choosing to invest in Gongqing City is not only because of the favorable environment for the development of the low-altitude economy industry here but also stems from a deep sense of hometown sentiment. We will fully leverage our advantages in carbon fiber materials and technology, continue to increase investment, and constantly expand our business areas, working together to create a bright future for Gongqing City's low-altitude economy!   

On March 31, IBU-tec Advanced Materials and Wanhua Chemical Group Battery Technology Co., Ltd. officially established a partnership for the development of lithium iron phosphate (LFP) battery materials. Senior representatives from both sides jointly signed a Joint Development Agreement (JDA), aiming to achieve the production of LFP cathode materials in Europe through technological collaboration. This marks Wanhua Chemical's first contract for battery materials cooperation in Europe, paving the way for further development in the European market.Under this cooperation framework, IBU-tec will adjust the calcination process according to the precursor specifications provided by Wanhua Chemical and plans to scale up this process to an industrial level in the coming months. It is expected that by the third quarter of this year, both parties will obtain reliable results to evaluate whether the jointly developed product can meet the demands of the European and North American markets. If the product meets expectations, it will open up significant potential for the production of LFP cathode materials in Germany and integrate them into the value chain of the European battery industry.IBU-tecIBU-tec Advanced Materials, headquartered in Weimar, Germany, is focused on providing innovative solutions in the fields of LFP battery materials, air purification, resource conservation, and reducing plastic packaging. The company has become a technological leader in LFP cathode materials in Europe.In 2023, IBU-tec successfully launched a new sodium-ion battery cathode material called IBUvolt® NMO. This NMO (sodium manganese oxide) product boasts unique advantages, as it does not rely on lithium or other rare materials, resulting in lower production costs and higher environmental performance. It is hailed as the "foundation of new sodium-ion batteries," and the material is expected to be widely used in small electric vehicles (such as urban transport vehicles) and stationary energy storage systems. In 2024, IBU-tec will collaborate with specialty chemicals company Lanxess to conduct research aimed at developing innovative iron oxides for the production of LFP battery cathode materials, with the goal of further enhancing the electrochemical performance of LFP batteries, including energy density, charging speed, and cycle life. Wanhua ChemicalWanhua Chemical Group Co., Ltd., formerly known as Yantai Wanhua Polyurethane Co., Ltd., was established on December 20, 1998, and officially changed its name to Wanhua Chemical Group Co., Ltd. in July 2013. It listed on the Shanghai Stock Exchange in 2001. The company's business covers five major industrial clusters: polyurethane, petrochemicals, fine chemicals, new materials, and future industries.Wanhua Chemical's layout in the battery materials field began in 2020, when the company acquired Yantai Zhuoneng Lithium Battery Co., Ltd.; since then, the company has continuously increased its investment in battery materials business. Liao Zengtao, Party Secretary and Chairman of Wanhua Chemical Group, once stated that Wanhua would cultivate battery materials as a new billion-dollar business to recreate a new Wanhua.Wanhua Chemical Group Battery Technology Co., Ltd.'s business scope covers three major battery main materials and over 20 types of products, including wet metallurgy, cathode precursors, ternary cathode materials, lithium iron phosphate materials, sodium battery anode and cathode materials, silicon-based anode materials, electrolytes and their raw materials, NMP, PVDF, and other links in the industry chain. The battery materials business, as Wanhua Chemical's second growth curve, has gradually established a relatively complete ecosystem.Cathode Materials: Ternary cathode materials: Wanhua Chemical has commissioned a 10,000 tons/year lithium battery ternary cathode material project at its Meishan base in Sichuan. Lithium iron phosphate: Wanhua Chemical's lithium iron phosphate is prepared using the solid-phase method. In January 2022, Wanhua Chemical started construction of a 50,000 tons/year integrated lithium iron phosphate cathode material project in Meishan, Sichuan. On February 24, 2025, Wanhua Chemical's new battery materials industrial park in Haiyang City, Yantai, commenced construction. The project has a total investment of 16.8 billion yuan, mainly constructing production plants for battery cathode and anode materials and related supporting facilities. It is planned that a 100,000 tons/year lithium iron phosphate production line will be put into operation by June 2026, and upon full completion by December 2032, it will have a capacity of 500,000 tons of lithium iron phosphate and 300,000 tons of artificial graphite anode materials. Additionally, Wanhua Chemical is committed to the development and mass production of fourth and fifth-generation lithium iron phosphate products to enhance product performance and competitiveness.Battery Binder: WanLiUM® PAA 1720 product by Wanhua Chemical is an aqueous acrylic copolymer neutralized with sodium salt, suitable for binding artificial graphite, natural graphite, and silicon-based negative electrode systems, applicable to high-energy-density cell designs for power and energy storage applications. In February 2024, Wanhua (Ningbo) announced a plan for a 50,000-ton-per-year high-performance negative electrode binder project and an aqueous binder project, with an environmental impact assessment report released. In November 2023, Sichuan WanLu Industrial Co., Ltd. (a joint venture between Wanhua Chemical's wholly-owned subsidiary and China Hualu Engineering Technology) announced a 20,000-ton-per-year PVDF integrated project, with an environmental impact assessment document released.Battery Auxiliaries: NMP, 1,4-butanediol, and other key auxiliary materials for production and sales. In May 2022, Sichuan Wanlu Industrial Co., Ltd. announced an environmental impact assessment for its 80,000-ton/year NMP project, planning to establish a new project in the Meishan High-tech Industrial Park in Sichuan Province. In August 2023, Wanhua Chemical Group Co., Ltd. announced that it has received the environmental impact assessment document for its 10,000-ton/year lithium hexafluorophosphate (LiPF6) project, planning to construct a new project at its Yantai Industrial Park. Electrolytes are generally prepared by mixing high-purity organic solvents, electrolyte lithium salts (lithium hexafluorophosphate LiPF6 is the most commonly used electrolyte lithium salt in lithium-ion batteries today), and necessary additives in certain proportions.To further enhance its competitiveness in the battery materials sector, Wanhua Chemical has actively established cooperative relationships with upstream and downstream enterprises in the industry chain. For example, Wanhua Chemical signed a strategic cooperation agreement with Highsun Energy Storage. The two parties will deepen collaboration in six key areas: battery materials, energy storage products, battery and battery material recycling, sodium-ion batteries, IT, and joint laboratories. Additionally, Wanhua Chemical has invested in projects such as an annual production of 280,000 tons of phosphorus acid, 150,000 tons of lithium iron phosphate, and a 25GWh large cylindrical energy storage battery project, aiming to build a more comprehensive industrial chain layout.

For ultrafine calcium carbonate, particle size, specific surface area, crystal form, and oil absorption value are the most important technical indicators that directly affect the application performance of ultrafine calcium carbonate.Of course, this does not deny the importance of other indicators, but other indicators are relatively easier to achieve in the industry.However, for specialized products, the purposes are different, and the emphasis on various technical indicators of ultrafine calcium carbonate varies accordingly, with different requirements that cannot be treated the same way.Particle size and specific surface area How to achieve an average particle size of 0.02～0.1μm for primary particles of ultrafine calcium carbonate is a fundamental indicator for ultrafine calcium carbonate, and it is undoubtedly crucial. Otherwise, it cannot be called ultrafine calcium carbonate.Strictly speaking, this only completes half of the task of producing ultrafine calcium carbonate. If the surface treatment technology and dispersion technology do not keep up, it will cause the generated primary particles to agglomerate into large secondary particles, with particle sizes reaching several hundred nanometers.Therefore, the photos observed or taken under the transmission electron microscope (TEM) can only reflect the size of the primary particles and cannot represent the actual particle size of the secondary particles after aggregation (due to certain technical treatments during the sample preparation process). This severely aggregated ultrafine calcium carbonate has a relatively small specific surface area measured by BET.Therefore, only by using transmission electron microscopy in conjunction with specific surface area measurement can a more scientific and comprehensive judgment be made regarding the fineness of ultrafine calcium carbonate, the morphology of the particles, and their dispersion status.The average particle size of ultrafine calcium carbonate is intrinsically related to its specific surface area. Some researchers use sedimentation volume to determine particle size. As is well known, factors affecting the sedimentation volume of calcium carbonate include not only particle size (which is influenced by limestone quality, lime calcination quality, lime digestion, carbonation conditions, etc.) but also the crystal form of calcium carbonate. Moreover, calcium carbonate exhibits diverse crystal forms, and even the same crystal form may vary due to its irregular geometric morphology, making the impact of crystal form on sedimentation volume quite complex. Therefore, using sedimentation volume to determine particle size is not scientifically rigorous and can lead to significant errors.To effectively prevent the agglomeration of secondary particles, ultrafine calcium carbonate generally requires surface modification treatment, as the surface treatment process not only effectively improves the activity of ultrafine calcium carbonate but also effectively prevents the agglomeration of secondary particles.For a specific specialized grade of ultrafine calcium carbonate, to better meet user requirements, there are differences in crystal form and particle size, as well as choices in surface treatment agents, along with experience and know-how in the treatment process.Therefore, it is difficult to use a uniform standard to evaluate ultra-fine calcium carbonate dedicated varieties for different uses. Crystalline form For ultrafine calcium carbonate, crystal form is also a very important technical indicator.It is well known that ordinary light calcium carbonate is spindle-shaped. When used in PVC plastics, it can generate significant stress, causing the plastic film to whiten. As for ultrafine calcium carbonate, it should produce products with different crystal forms based on different applications. For example:Ultrafine calcium carbonate for plastics requires a simple crystal structure, smaller bulk volume, and lower oil absorption value, so cubic or spherical shapes are preferred. Ultrafine calcium carbonate with a particle size of 0.072 μm has a certain reinforcing effect on PVC plastics, making the surface of the products fine and glossy, with good electrical insulation performance. When used in soft cable materials, it can maintain its properties in accordance with national standards even when the filling amount is increased more than twofold. When used in plastic films, it can reduce whitening and improve low-temperature elongation. When used in rigid plastics, such as plastic doors and windows and various profiles, it can enhance the impact resistance, making the notched impact strength reach 49.1 kJ/m².Ultrafine calcium carbonate for rubber, the chain-like type has the best reinforcing performance. Chain-like ultrafine calcium carbonate is formed by several to dozens of calcium carbonate crystal grains bonded in one direction. It has a three-dimensional spatial structure in rubber, with excellent dispersibility. When mixed with rubber, the chains of calcium carbonate break, forming active surfaces that bond more firmly with the rubber chains, thereby significantly enhancing its reinforcing effect in rubber. The order of reinforcing performance of different shapes of ultrafine calcium carbonate in rubber, from strongest to weakest, is: chain-like, needle-like, spherical, and cubic. Ultrafine calcium carbonate used in ink is preferably cubic, which is determined by the nature of the ink. After filling ultrafine calcium carbonate in resin-based ink, it is required to have high gloss, good transparency, and good fluidity. The cubic shape is most beneficial to the gloss of the ink.Precipitated calcium carbonate used in paper coating generally does not belong to the category of ultra-fine calcium carbonate, as its particle size is typically in the range of fine calcium carbonate (0.1 to 1 μm). However, there is one similarity: there are certain requirements for crystal form. For instance, requirements include opacity (covering power), high viscosity concentration, whiteness, and absorption performance with respect to ink. Therefore, tabular and cubic crystal forms are considered ideal.In summary, it is not only necessary to ensure that the particle size of ultra-fine calcium carbonate is between 0.02～0.1μm, but also to determine the category of product crystal form based on its intended use, in order to produce marketable products. Oil Absorption ValueThe oil absorption value of ultrafine calcium carbonate is very important for its application performance, especially for plastics, coatings, and inks. For example, if the oil absorption value is high, it will consume a large amount of plasticizer when used in plastics; when used in coatings and inks, it will increase the viscosity. Therefore, the oil absorption value should not be too high.In addition to the inherent physical properties of the material itself, there are many other factors that influence the oil absorption value of a certain powder, among which the particle size of the powder is a significant factor.Therefore, as ultrafine calcium carbonate, the first consideration is the size of the ultrafine calcium carbonate particles, how well they disperse, and whether the specific surface area corresponds to the particle size. On this basis, we then consider how to reduce its oil absorption value; only in this way does it have practical significance. If its dispersibility is poor and secondary particle agglomeration is severe, resulting in a very small specific surface area, even if the oil absorption value is low, it will have no practical significance in application. Main contentThe main content (calcium oxide) of ultrafine calcium carbonate should not be strictly limited within a certain range. This is because, in most cases, ultrafine calcium carbonate is used as a functional filler, and what affects the filled material is usually its physical properties rather than chemical properties. Within a certain range, the main content of ultrafine calcium carbonate can meet the requirements for its physical properties.In the preparation of ultrafine calcium carbonate, to obtain various crystal forms, good dispersibility, and excellent activation properties to meet the requirements of different products such as plastics, rubber, ink, etc., certain regulators, dispersants, surface treatment agents, and other additives are usually added. Generally speaking, these intentionally added "impurities" do not affect the application performance of ultrafine calcium carbonate; in fact, they may even be beneficial. However, due to the intentional addition of these so-called impurities, the main content (calcium oxide) of the ultrafine calcium carbonate is inevitably affected. Of course, for certain harmful elements such as iron and manganese, whether they come from the raw materials or are introduced during the preparation process, they should be strictly controlled. These harmful impurities not only affect the color of the products but also accelerate the degradation of the resin itself, hastening the aging of the resin, and should be strictly avoided. Other impurities such as silicon, aluminum, and magnesium also adversely affect the whiteness of ultrafine calcium carbonate and can negatively impact the operations in the production process. Therefore, control should be exercised when selecting limestone raw materials.It can be seen that for the main component of ultrafine calcium carbonate (calcium oxide), the requirements should not be too strict within an appropriate range, otherwise it will affect the development of some specialized varieties.In summary, the key development directions for ultrafine calcium carbonate are specialization, series development, multi-type production, and functionalization. Believing that producing ultrafine calcium carbonate with particle sizes of 0.02 to 0.1 μm, regardless of crystal form, and without considering dispersibility and activatability, can be applied in all fields such as rubber, plastics, ink, coatings, and papermaking is not realistic.The particle size, crystal shape, specific surface area, oil absorption value, main content, and other parameters should be proposed with targeted and distinctive requirements according to different uses, thereby better meeting the needs of various industries and users. Therefore, it is very difficult to evaluate different types of ultra-fine calcium carbonate specifically designed for various applications using a single unified standard.

For challenging electronic and electrical components with special requirements, BASF has now developed the high-flow Ultrason® D 1010 G6 U40.The optimized polyethersulfone (PESU) blends are designed to meet the specific requirements for energy-efficient components in data and energy transmission, smart electronics, and electric vehicles, enabling easy injection molding.Compared with standard PESU, the melt temperature can be reduced by 12.5%.BASF's new thermoplastic products have excellent fluidity at lower processing temperatures. This provides manufacturers with greater flexibility in designing complex switches, circuit breakers, and sensors, as well as IGBT and semiconductor components, such as aging test sockets.Ultrason® D 1010 G6 U40 exhibits stable electrical performance at high temperatures, offering a higher Relative Thermal Index (RTI) and Comparative Tracking Index (CTI) compared to polyetherimide (PEI) and polyphenylene sulfide (PPS). In contrast to standard PESU, the new blend allows molders to reduce melt temperature by 12.5% while maintaining excellent flowability, thereby saving energy costs.Backed by the excellent chemical resistance and high-temperature resistance of PESU, the new Ultrason® blends combine high rigidity and strength with good electrical performance and ease of processing. It has better fluidity at lower processing temperatures compared to standard PESU Ultrason® E 2010 G6.Low viscosity Ultrason® D can achieve a spiral flow length of up to 3.5 cm at a thickness of 0.5 mm, with a melt temperature of 315°C and a mold temperature of 160°C. Compared to unreinforced PESU molded at 360°C, a 30% glass fiber-filled grade shows the same level of flowability. This allows for smaller and thinner parts, saving assembly space and thus providing greater design freedom for compact electronic components.Support the miniaturization of EE components through lower crawl distances compared to PEI and PPS.Ultrason® D 1010 G6 U40 has high thermal stability, low water absorption, and excellent dielectric strength. It is equipped with halogen-free flame retardants and has outstanding electrical RTI. In internal tests, it is rated V-0 (UL 94), with a CTI of 200V (according to IEC 60112), reaching PLC 3. This supports the miniaturization of EE components, with its creepage distance and insulation performance surpassing that of PEI and PPS used for challenging EE components to date."If you want to develop energy-efficient electronic devices with special requirements for electrical and mechanical performance, then our new Ultrason® D is a wise choice," said Kazuhiro Kida, Global Business Development Director of BASF’s Ultrason® business. "It benefits from the excellent properties of our mature polyether sulfone Ultrason® E, while offering optimized EE performance, superior flowability, and sustainable use of processing energy. This opens up new possibilities for electric vehicles and consumer electronics parts. It also helps provide higher safety for applications with increased voltage and data rates under harsh working conditions."Ultrason® D 1010 G6 U40 is part of BASF's Ultrason® product portfolio tailored for the electronics and electrical (EE) industry. These grades enhance the robustness, durability, and reliability of today's and next-generation EE components, driving advancements in digitalization, big data, and electric vehicles. They are particularly suitable for scenarios where other plastics cannot meet higher performance requirements.Ultrason® is the brand name for BASF's polyethersulfone (Ultrason® E), polysulfone (Ultrason® S), and polyphenylsulfone (Ultrason® P) product lines. This high-performance thermoplastic is used in the manufacture of water filtration membranes, fashionable, durable, and safe household and catering applications, as well as lightweight components in the automotive and aerospace industries. The Ultrason® brand is known for its exceptional performance, making it a viable alternative to thermosetting plastics, metals, and ceramics in many applications.

On the night of March 29, news broke that three drivers from Hubei were driving a Xiaomi SU7 to Anhui for an exam when an accident occurred on the highway section from Zongyang to Qimen. This incident has been trending online, attracting the attention of many netizens and Xiaomi car owners. On April 1, Xiaomi's official website provided some responses, stating that the matter is under further investigation, and that Supersight will continue to follow the story.   The reputation of Xiaomi's cars is actually very good in the hearts of users. Many netizens even joked online about Lei Jun, saying that Lei Jun still doesn't know how to "cut corners" for the first car he made. So how about the heat insulation and flame retardant performance of Xiaomi cars? Let's take a look together.1. The battery cells are equipped with the most energy-efficient and high-performance thermal insulation material currently available—aerogel—on both sides.With the popularization of new energy vehicles, lithium batteries have become the mainstream power battery. However, due to their high energy density, the issue of battery thermal runaway has attracted significant attention, primarily caused by internal short circuits, overcharging, over-discharging, and high temperatures. Thermal runaway in electric vehicles can lead to battery combustion, which may ignite surrounding components and, in extreme cases, cause explosions. To address this challenge, automotive manufacturers and battery producers are increasingly focusing on aerogels, particularly for applications in thermal insulation and flame retardancy. The exceptional thermal insulation and flame-retardant properties of aerogels effectively reduce the risk of thermal runaway, enhancing battery safety and stability, making them the optimal solution for addressing safety issues in power battery systems. Additionally, their lightweight and flame-retardant characteristics are crucial for improving battery performance and achieving lightweight designs.In order to ensure the safety of the battery, Xiaomi cars are equipped with aerogel on both sides of each battery cell, which serves to provide heat insulation and fire resistance, effectively protecting the battery's safety. Aerogel is a material with excellent thermal insulation and flame-retardant properties, and it has been widely used in the aerospace field as an insulating material. However, the biggest problem is its high cost. The battery pack of the Xiaomi SU7 uses a total of 165 pieces of aerogel as insulation material on the sides of the battery cells, instilling confidence in users regarding the thermal insulation of the battery cells. II. Characteristics of AerogelsAerogels are a new generation of high-efficiency thermal insulation materials, possessing a nano-porous network structure with a gaseous dispersion medium filling the pores, making them the lightest solid in the world. Due to their unique structure, aerogels exhibit excellent performance in multiple fields such as thermal conductivity, acoustics, optics, electricity, and mechanics. Currently, commercial applications of aerogels primarily focus on their highly efficient thermal insulation capabilities, which are utilized downstream in various sectors including petrochemicals, thermal pipelines, lithium-ion batteries, construction materials, outdoor wear, aerospace, and military industries.Aerogels, compared to traditional thermal insulation materials, feature low density (0.16 kg/m³), high porosity (80%-99.8%), large specific surface area (400-1000 m²/g), and low thermal conductivity (10 mW/m·K).In addition, aerogel also possesses excellent properties such as fire resistance, hydrophobicity, sound insulation, adsorption, and environmental friendliness. Compared to traditional thermal insulation materials, aerogel exhibits superior thermal insulation performance. Fire resistance and hydrophobicity: it meets the national building material A1-level non-combustible standard, with a hydrophobic rate of N98%; durability: aerogel insulation materials are entirely hydrophobic, resistant to water absorption and disintegration, and have a service life of over 10 years, which is 3-5 times longer than traditional insulation materials; sound insulation and shock absorption: the three-dimensional porous network structure of aerogel can provide sound absorption, noise reduction, and shock buffering; health and environmental friendliness: the product has passed RoHS, REACH, and ELV tests and does not contain substances harmful to human health; it is an ideal adsorption material. Compared to traditional insulation materials, aerogels offer better thermal insulation and longer service life. The ultra-low thermal conductivity of aerogels ensures excellent heat insulation effects, with thermal insulation performance being 2 to 5 times better than that of traditional insulation materials. They can be used in environments ranging from -200°C to 650°C. Additionally, the nanoscale pore structure of aerogels provides them with high compressive and tensile strength, resulting in a service life more than five times longer than that of conventional materials.The outstanding thermal insulation performance of aerogels stems from their porous structure. The pore size of aerogels is below the mean free path of air molecules under normal pressure, causing the air molecules within the pores to remain nearly stationary, thus avoiding convective heat transfer. The extremely low bulk density of aerogels and the tortuous path of their porous structure also inhibit gaseous and solid-state heat conduction, while the nearly "infinite" number of pore walls minimizes thermal radiation. The combined effect of these three aspects almost blocks all heat transfer pathways, enabling aerogels to achieve unparalleled thermal insulation performance compared to other materials. 3. More Applications of High-Performance MaterialsXiaomi not only equips both sides of each battery cell with heat-insulating and fire-resistant aerogel, but also applies various types of high-performance plastic materials throughout the vehicle body to achieve goals of flame resistance, high-temperature resistance, and lightweight design.In terms of power batteries, Xiaomi's battery bracket mainly uses modified PPE, PPS, and PC/ABS; the battery cover plate mainly uses modified PA6, PA66, etc.; the battery casing mainly uses modified PPS, modified PP, PPO, etc.; the battery cell and battery management system (BMS) and other components mainly use polymer materials for encapsulation and insulation. Through the application of these materials, the battery structure achieves flame retardancy, dimensional stability, chemical resistance, and high strength, ensuring the safety and durability of the battery.In terms of electrical insulation, high molecular materials such as PPS are used in Xiaomi automotive electrical insulation components, including PPS injection molded parts like insulating sealing rings, coil bobbins, high-voltage terminals, and three-phase copper busbars. Due to their high-temperature resistance, fatigue resistance, and stable electrical insulation properties, they address the issue of degradation in electrical insulation performance and CTI values of core components in high-temperature environments.In the field of thermal management systems, PPS modified plastics are widely used in Xiaomi's automotive thermal management systems. In radiator components, PPS plastics can withstand high temperatures and chemical corrosion under intensive use, thereby extending the service life of the radiator. For coolant pipelines, the excellent fuel and bio-fuel resistance of PPS plastics, along with their superior extrusion processing performance, make them an ideal choice for fuel pipes. Additionally, PPS plastics have been successfully applied in automotive transmission injection oil pipes due to their high pressure resistance, oil resistance, and high-temperature resistance.From the above information, it is evident that Xiaomi Automotive has invested significant effort in battery safety and body materials, particularly by innovatively adopting aerogel as a heat-insulating and fire-resistant material on both sides of the battery cells. Aerogel, with its exceptional thermal insulation properties and lightweight characteristics, provides effective thermal runaway protection for the battery. Additionally, Xiaomi Automotive has extensively utilized high-performance plastic materials such as modified PPE, PPS, and PC/ABS. The application of these materials ensures that various parts of the vehicle body exhibit flame-retardant, high-temperature-resistant, and lightweight properties. In terms of electrical insulation and thermal management systems, high-performance polymer materials like PPS have also played a prominent role, significantly enhancing the high-temperature resistance, fatigue resistance, and electrical insulation performance of components. To further prevent vehicle self-ignition issues, it is hoped that Xiaomi Automotive will continue to explore and apply more high-quality heat-insulating and flame-retardant materials. Source: Xiaomi Official Website, Jusuyun, RIO Material Talk, ZhuanSu WorldEditor: Shenbing Shi 

On the afternoon of March 28, Sinopec Yizheng Chemical Fiber Company, together with the Rope (Cable) Net Branch of China Industrial Textiles Association, the East China Sea Fisheries Research Institute of the Chinese Academy of Fishery Sciences, the international authoritative fiber testing center, Donghua University, and more than 20 key customer representatives, witnessed the launch of the domestically pioneering "Durable Aramid" new product.Yang Yong, the deputy general manager of Sinopec Yizheng Chemical Fiber Company, attended the forum and delivered a speech, signing a durable product cooperation agreement with five partners.At the forum, Shi Yunhu, the manager of the High Fiber Division of Yizheng Chemical Fiber Company, first represented the company in announcing the domestically pioneered "durable ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene fiber," independently developed to break foreign monopolies and produced using the dry spinning process route. As a key domestic producer of ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene fiber, the company is the only one employing the dry spinning production process.The newly launched durable force fiber has superior mechanical properties, creep resistance, fatigue resistance, aging resistance, and yarn-yarn friction fatigue resistance compared to similar imported products. It is widely applicable in areas such as deep-sea aquaculture net cages, offshore wind power, mooring ropes and cables, heavy lifting, artificial intelligence, and more. In recent years, Central Document No. 1 has repeatedly proposed vigorously developing deep-sea aquaculture and building marine ranches. The development of the durable high-strength fiber by Yizheng Chemical Fiber Company is timely, meeting national needs and ensuring self-sufficiency in critical strategic materials for the country.Currently, the product has been widely and successfully applied in truss-type deep-sea aquaculture cages, with distributions in Norway, Australia, and various domestic sea areas. It can withstand the direct impact of a 17-level strong typhoon without damage, and its lifespan is significantly superior to competing products. After three years of application in the deep and distant sea, the strength retention rate remains greater than 90%. Similar products have also been successfully applied in deep-sea exploration hoisting and long-term mooring of large ships.In recent years, with the rapid expansion of domestic production capacity of ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene fiber, the homogenization of mid-to-low-end products has become serious, leading to intense price competition. However, the high-end application fields still rely on imports. Yizheng Chemical Fiber adheres to the driving force of technological innovation in the field of ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene fiber, and is committed to providing more green, high-end, and intelligent solutions for downstream industries. "Unbreakable by deep-sea waves, durable and non-deforming under tension," the launch of this durable product marks a brand-new beginning.In 2025, Yizheng Chemical Fiber will continue to increase RD investment, deepen "industry-university-research-application" cooperation, strengthen industry chain collaborative innovation, and invest 1.8 billion yuan in the first phase of an 8,000-ton-per-year special fiber project in the Ningdong Industrial Park in Ningxia, aiming to build itself into a special fiber RD and production base of Sinopec.About Yizheng Chemical FiberIn 2007, Yizheng Chemical Fiber included the "Development of Complete Dry Spinning Technology for 300 Tons/Year High-Performance Polyethylene Fiber" in the Sinopec Science and Technology Innovation "Ten Dragons"攻关 project, collaborating with institutions such as the China Textile Academy to carry out industry-academia-research协同攻关.By breaking through the core technologies of dry spinning processes, a production line with a capacity of 300 tons/year was established in 2008, and by 2011, it achieved industrialization with a capacity of 1,000 tons/year, making it the third company globally to master this technology.This breakthrough has broken the technological blockade of companies like Dutch DSM and American Honeywell, shifting China's UHMWPE fiber from import dependence to self-control. The product strength has reached an internationally advanced level, laying the foundation for subsequent industrial upgrades.Relying on the advantages of dry spinning technology, Yizheng Chemical Fiber continues to expand its production capacity. After the commissioning of the third thousand-ton production line in 2018, the total capacity increased to 2,300 tons per year, and the domestic market share reached 20%.By 2024, its UHMWPE fiber production capacity has reached 3,300 tons per year, making it the only domestic large-scale production enterprise using the dry process.In the Yangzhou Chemical Park, companies achieve full-process collaboration from PTA raw materials to fiber products through in-depth coupling of the olefin and aromatics产业链布局. The 300 million tons/year PTA project scheduled for production in 2025 will provide a stable supply of raw materials for fiber production.Forming an industrial ecosystem that integrates "technology-capacity-raw materials" as a trinity.Yizheng Chemical Fiber's UHMWPE fiber, centered on the "Lilan" brand, has achieved breakthroughs in the military sector. Its ballistic-grade fiber is used in national defense equipment such as new fighter jets and aircraft carrier deck protection, while also developing civilian products like cut-resistant gloves and thermally conductive textiles.In the field of major engineering projects, the installation of the 6,000-ton immersed tunnel for the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge utilized 140,000 fiber slings, with each filament bearing a load of up to 35 kilograms, demonstrating the reliability of materials in extreme environments.In 2023, the global UHMWPE fiber production capacity was approximately 67,000 tons. Yizheng Chemical Fiber's products achieved a penetration rate of 32% in the bulletproof field and are gradually expanding into emerging markets such as offshore wind power ropes and deep-sea aquaculture cages.Yizheng Chemical Fiber uses UHMWPE fiber as a pivot to promote the vertical extension of the high-performance synthetic materials industry chain. Upstream, it achieves self-sufficiency in raw materials through a 3 million tons/year PTA project; midstream, it has laid out a flexible production line for 120,000 tons of PBT/PBAT biodegradable materials; and downstream, it is developing high-end products such as TPEE elastomers. In the Yangzhou Chemical Park, the company has formed an industrial closed loop of "olefins-aromatics-fine chemicals," driving the development of related industries such as ethylene oxide and polyether polyols, generating over 10 billion yuan in annual upstream and downstream output value. This full-chain synergy of "materials-products-applications" positions it to become the leading enterprise in Yangzhou's high-performance synthetic materials industry chain in 2024.Faced with global competition in the new materials industry, Yizheng Chemical Fiber has formulated a development strategy of "technology leadership and low-carbon transformation." In terms of technology, it continues to invest in RD for high-end products such as heat-resistant and creep-resistant fibers and carbon nanotube-reinforced fibers. In 2024, the TPEE elastomer used for railway track pads broke the monopoly held by foreign companies, earning a provincial science and technology innovation achievement award. In terms of green development, the new-generation bottle chip production line adopts a short-process technology, reducing carbon emissions by more than 20%. At the same time, the company actively responds to national export control policies, reinforcing technical barriers for its products in the international market. In the first half of 2024, it exported 4,000 tons of customized film-grade polyethylene terephthalate chips to Japan, demonstrating the international competitiveness of high-end materials. In the future, Yizheng Chemical Fiber aims to achieve the goal of "domestic leadership and world-class standards," continuously expanding into areas such as marine engineering and aerospace, driving China's high-performance fiber industry to ascend towards the high-end of the value chain.

Nexam Chemical, in collaboration with partners, is advancing the future of high-performance composites through the TAPE-X (Thermoforming Advanced Polymer Unidirectional Tape - TAPE-Extreme) project funded by Innovate UK.The project is dedicated to developing next-generation composite materials capable of replacing metals like titanium in aerospace applications, making aircraft lighter and more fuel-efficient.UD tape has storage stability and ease of processing.The core of the project is the newly developed unidirectional (UD) tape. It aims to combine the storage stability and processability of thermoplastic tapes with the thermomechanical properties of thermosetting materials. Nexam Chemical contributes its unique experience in high-temperature material formulations in the design and synthesis of the matrix materials that serve as the conceptual basis. This innovation paves the way for the cost-effective production of complex geometries, such as pipes and ducts in aircraft engines, with greater precision and minimal waste."TAPE-X is an important step forward in composite material development. By combining ease of processing with excellent thermal and mechanical properties, we are unlocking new possibilities for industries such as aerospace, defense, and others that require extreme performance," said Christer Svanberg, Chief Technology Officer of Nexam Chemical.The major advancements of TAPE-X technologyEnhanced processing window and storage stability: Unlike traditional thermoset materials, the new resin has a wide processing window and excellent stability, eliminating the need for low-temperature storage.Heat resistance: This material is specifically designed to meet the high thermal demands of aerospace applications, capable of withstanding extreme conditions, serving as a lightweight alternative to titanium and other alloys.Enhanced design flexibility: The combination of thermoplastic-like processing and thermoset-level performance enables the creation of complex structures that would otherwise be difficult to manufacture or costly.Vast Industrial Potential: Although the technology was initially focused on civilian aerospace applications, it is expected to be applicable to other aerospace and industrial uses where extremely high heat resistance and structural integrity are crucial.

On March 31, Longhua New Materials announced the progress of the first phase of the nylon 66 project of its wholly-owned subsidiary. Currently, the 40,000-ton-per-year production facility of the first phase of Longhua High Materials Nylon 66 project has been completed and entered the debugging and trial production stage.In light of market conditions, the company plans to adjust the product structure of the annual 40,000-ton production facility. The original 40,000-ton/year PA66 product structure will be modified to include PA66 (aliphatic nylon), long-chain nylon (bio-based), transparent nylon, and high-temperature nylon, while maintaining the total production capacity of 40,000 tons/year unchanged. Recently, Longhua Advanced Materials completed the preparation of the non-major change environmental impact analysis report for the Longhua Advanced Materials 1.08 million-ton/year PA66 project (Phase I) regarding the aforementioned product structure adjustment and passed the expert review.It is reported that Longhua New Material held the third meeting of the third board of directors on April 18, 2022, and approved the proposal on investing in the construction of the Longhua High Material 108,000 tons/year PA66 project. The project will be implemented by its wholly-owned subsidiary Shandong Longhua High Polymer Materials Co., Ltd. (referred to as "Longhua High Material"), which plans to invest in the construction of a 108,000 tons/year PA66 project in the Chemical Industry Park of Gaoqing County, Zibo City, Shandong Province, with a total investment of approximately 7.3 billion yuan. 

On March 31, it was reported that Love Enterprise Check shows that recently, Zhejiang Shenghui New Materials Co., Ltd. was established, with Li Shuorong as the legal representative and a registered capital of 20 million yuan. The business scope includes: manufacturing high-performance fibers and composite materials; manufacturing graphite and carbon products; sales of graphite and carbon products; research and development of new materials technology; manufacturing bio-based materials; and sales of bio-based materials. Enterprise Check's equity penetration shows that the company is wholly owned indirectly by Rongsheng Petrochemical. Sinopec New Materials LayoutRongsheng Petrochemical is one of China's leading private enterprises in the petrochemical industry, ranking 7th on the Global Chemical Most Valuable Brands list and 16th on the Global Top 50 Chemical Companies list. The company is primarily engaged in the research, production, and sales of various oil products, chemical products, and polyester products. It has established seven major production bases in areas such as the Bohai Economic Circle, the Yangtze River Delta Economic Circle, and the Hainan Belt and Road Economic Circle, forming five major industrial chains: polyester, engineering plastics, new energy, high-end polyolefins, and specialty rubber. It is one of the important producers of polyester, new energy materials, engineering plastics, and high value-added polyolefins in Asia, possessing the world's largest production capacity for chemicals such as PX and PTA.The product range is diverse and comprehensive, covering new energy, new materials, organic chemicals, synthetic fibers, synthetic resins, synthetic rubber, oil products, and more. It essentially achieves "from a drop of oil to everything in the world," while continuously enhancing and refining the new materials industrial chain based on the existing globally leading integrated refining and chemical base and complete upstream and downstream supporting facilities. The main products are shown in the figure below:Source: Rongsheng Petrochemical 2024 Semi-Annual ReportIt is worth mentioning that on March 31, Rongsheng Petrochemical stated on the investor interaction platform that, as an integrated domestic producer of propylene oxide-polyether polyols, it currently has an annual production capacity of 270,000 tons of propylene oxide and 380,000 tons of polyether polyols. Propylene oxide, as a raw material, can be processed to produce downstream products such as polyether polyols, which are widely used in the healthcare sector. For example, certain polyether polyols can be used to manufacture medical polyurethane materials. In the future, Rongsheng Petrochemical will continue to optimize its product portfolio, enhance product competitiveness, and expand high-end applications in the healthcare field. 

Entering the Enterprise × Second Issue Shanghai Shaozheng Industry 4.0 EraInterviewee: Shanghai Shaozheng, Gan Lulu In this era of intense competition, companies across the upstream and downstream sectors of the modified plastics industry are being swept forward by the tides of the times, quietly working hard. As a third party, the Modified Plastics Branch aims to understand the measures or insights of upstream and downstream companies in the modified plastics industry by visiting enterprises and interviewing their leadership. This time, the Modified Plastics Branch will take you to visit our member unit: Shanghai Shaozheng Machinery Co., Ltd. Shanghai Shaozheng Machinery Co., Ltd. (referred to as "Shaozheng Machinery") is a high-tech enterprise specializing in the research and development, manufacturing, and technical services of plastic machinery and process equipment. The company is headquartered in Shanghai. With years of experience in the modified plastics industry, it focuses on technological innovation as its core driving force, dedicated to providing efficient, intelligent, and environmentally friendly pelletizing equipment and pelletizing solutions to global customers. Its business scope covers the polymer plastic modification industry, petrochemical industry, pharmaceutical industry, cosmetics industry, and more.Shanghai Shaozheng Machinery Co., Ltd.Shanghai Shaozheng Machinery Co., Ltd01In recent years, the development of new energy vehicles and the expansion of petrochemical capacity have driven up the competitive level across the entire modified plastics industry. Under these circumstances, how did the plastic machinery and equipment manufacturing sector perform in the market in 2024?What are your expectations for the year 2025?In a fully competitive state, it is actually beneficial for our process equipment manufacturers. When clients face cost pressures, they tend to pay more attention to our pelletizing equipment and thoroughly study its value and cost in the production line. Based on our doubled growth data over the past two years, the market demand for high-quality equipment is robust.So far, our first-quarter data has increased by 244.77% year-on-year. For 2025, the market's head effect will become more pronounced, and we still conservatively expect our performance to double. We can maintain excellent growth, thanks to the support and inspiration of a group of high-quality clients: not only meeting the requirements for import substitution but also having the capability to provide practical on-site solutions. Here, I am very grateful for the current market opportunities and such a group of hands-on clients!02 Shaozheng focuses on equipment innovation in plastic modification technology. Has your company integrated industrial internet, big data, or artificial intelligence technology into the modified plastic equipment?For example, has an intelligent mixing process control system been developed, or can it achieve real-time data monitoring and optimize production efficiency?Yes. Everyone is exploring and establishing modified smart factories. Based on market demand, we are currently developing an intelligent strip cutting and pelletizing system. During the development, we considered using big data to help customers solve formulation processes, but through understanding the customer's site and conducting research, we found that the current market acceptance and expectations focus on adapting to on-site conditions, achieving real-time data monitoring, optimizing processes, and optimizing energy efficiency.The determination of this important direction also comes from discussions with the end users, which is invaluable to us; otherwise, we would waste a lot of human, financial, and material resources on inappropriate directions.  03Nowadays, everyone is talking about industrial chain collaboration. How can our equipment work with upstream and downstream companies through digital platforms to achieve technical collaboration or data sharing? Will there be customized digital service packages in the future? This is something I have always wanted to do. Through technical collaboration and data sharing, I can obtain a large amount of quantitative production data on materials. As a manufacturer of process equipment, the data obtained from laboratories is very limited and has low reference value. If we have enough quantitative production data, we can truly develop the pelletizing process and equipment performance to the extreme. The aggregation of data inevitably involves process formulations, which is the objective reason I mentioned earlier. Currently, the equipment is not yet capable of adapting to formulated processes; it can only adapt to feedback and optimization of on-site process data.We have already implemented some customized digital service solutions. For example, our pelletizer can now display the usage time of wear parts and provide maintenance reminders. Customers can even view the production line speed and output on their mobile devices. These features help customers perform preventive maintenance on-site. Additionally, customers can evaluate equipment more objectively, avoiding subjective or human factors, and making decisions more impartially.  04Currently, the EU requires that recycled materials account for 25% of new vehicles, and domestic carbon neutrality efforts are also stringent. How can our equipment optimize recycled materials? What breakthroughs are there in energy consumption control or the compatibility of recycled materials? Actually, there isn't much difference between recycled plastic and modified plastic during the pelletizing stage. It's just that recycled plastic itself is of lower value, so what we need to do at the pelletizing stage is to reduce costs. There's no issue with the technology. 05In promoting high-value recycling, does your company have any specific application cases? What assistance can you provide?Polycarbonate (PC) recycled plastic is an environmentally friendly material made from discarded PC products such as plastic bottles and electrical appliance casings through processes like crushing, cleaning, melting, pelletizing, and drying. This recycled plastic retains physical and chemical properties similar to virgin polycarbonate but is more cost-effective. For virgin PC, we have collaborations with domestic companies like Wanhua, Luxi, Cangzhou Dahua, and Teijin, and our technology is well-established. Our focus in the pelletizing stage is still on cost reduction. Using recycled polycarbonate can reduce reliance on virgin plastic and help lower environmental pollution. In this regard, we will actively contribute our part to environmental protection.  06Many automakers and modification companies are now expanding into Southeast Asia. Does this have a significant impact on our business? Does our company currently have any plans in this regard?Currently, there is indeed a trend of relocation, but the investment in the modification industry abroad is still in the trial phase, with a cautious approach, resulting in relatively low-quality equipment investments. Given our company's product positioning, we are currently in a wait-and-see mode. Of course, the market is being explored through various channels, but there are no immediate plans to establish a factory.07According to what we know, your company will participate in the rubber and plastics exhibition this April. Could you give us a sneak peek of what new technologies will be showcased? What specific pain points and needs of customers will these mainly address?Our technological innovation cycle in the process equipment industry is not that fast. The products we showcased this time are actually based on technology from two years ago, and they have received excellent market feedback. Our NAIMO PLUS series is called "Zero Glue Explosion, No Pollution, Precise Delivery, High Output," addressing the market demand for completely avoiding glue roller explosions that contaminate materials and increasing production output. Additionally, our latest intelligent strip-cutting pelletizing system will be unveiled at our factory. We look forward to meeting both new and old friends. Thank you!  

   The melt blending method was employed to prepare maleic anhydride-grafted polyethylene (MAPE) modified polyamide 66/polytetrafluoroethylene (PA66/PTFE) blends. Under unlubricated conditions, the friction and wear properties of the materials under different loads were tested using a three-pin-on-disk friction test method. The fracture surfaces and wear morphologies of the materials were characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and the wear mechanisms were analyzed. The results showed that the addition of PTFE alone could improve the self-lubricating properties of PA66, but the friction coefficient exhibited significant fluctuations, along with an increased volumetric wear rate. When MAPE was used to replace PTFE under a fixed total additive mass fraction of 20%, the friction coefficient of the material further decreased, and the wear resistance was significantly improved, demonstrating a certain synergistic friction-reducing effect. Compared to PA66/MAPE (80/20) and PA66/PTFE (80/20), PA66/PTFE/MAPE (80/5/15) exhibited the lowest friction coefficient of 0.234, a 55.3% reduction compared to pure PA66 (0.523), and a volumetric wear rate of 3.23×10−6 mm3/(N∙m), a 44.1% decrease compared to pure PA66. In long-distance, multi-stage friction tests, except for pure PA66, all modified materials showed a gradual decrease and stabilization in the volumetric wear rate per unit distance as the sliding distance increased. Among them, the PA66/PTFE/MAPE blend exhibited the lowest and most stable friction coefficient, along with the smallest overall volumetric wear rate. SEM images of the wear surfaces revealed that MAPE enhanced the interaction between the PA66 matrix and PTFE, reducing the width of wear scars and improving wear resistance. Friction test results under different loads further confirmed the synergistic friction-reducing effect of MAPE and PTFE on PA66 materials.Polyamide 66 (PA66) is an engineering plastic that can replace metals and is used in automotive components, mechanical manufacturing, and other fields, offering advantages such as high mechanical strength and good processing performance [1-3]. It can be used to manufacture parts like gears and bearings [4-8]. However, in the absence of lubrication, PA66 exhibits a high coefficient of friction and low wear resistance [9], particularly under extreme operating conditions, especially in special scenarios where the use of lubricating oil/grease is prohibited, such as in the aerospace industry [10-11], which imposes higher requirements for its self-lubricating and wear-resistant properties.Polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) is an organic solid lubricant commonly used for improving the wear resistance and self-lubrication of polymer materials. During sliding, it can form a thin film layer on its surface and the mating surface, resulting in a low coefficient of friction. According to Li et al., under low load and low-speed conditions, PTFE/copper composites form a thin and uniform transfer film on the GCr15 mating surface, but the adhesion between the transfer film and the steel ring is weak, and a continuous transfer film is lacking. Due to PTFE's extreme inertness and weak intermolecular forces, its compatibility with the polymer matrix is poor, making it difficult to improve the material's wear resistance. Therefore, the compatibility between PTFE and the matrix must be enhanced. Li et al. reported that the use of reactive graft copolymers, such as maleic anhydride (MAH) grafted polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE-g-MAH), can effectively increase the interfacial adhesion between polyamide 6 (PA6) and PTFE, enhancing the tribological properties and tensile strength of PA6/PTFE-g-MAH blends. However, due to PTFE's high melt processing temperature, the preparation of PTFE-g-MAH is challenging.Polyethylene (PE) has a non-polar chain structure similar to PTFE. Due to its low intermolecular forces and inherent molecular chain flexibility, it can also serve as a solid lubricant in polymer-based wear-resistant and self-lubricating materials [19-22]. Jin et al. [23] found that adding just 2.0 wt% of ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene (PE-UHMW) to a PEEK matrix reduced the coefficient of friction and wear rate by 61% and 89%, respectively. Keresztes et al. [24] observed that PE-filled cast PA6 significantly improved the wear resistance of PA6. Moreover, the compatibility between PE and polyamide matrices can be easily enhanced through surface modification, leading to more uniform dispersion of PE particles and further potential improvement in friction performance. Wang et al. [25] prepared PA66/PE-UHMW composites compatibilized with maleic anhydride (MAH)-grafted high-density polyethylene (PE-HD-g-MAH) and found that the coefficient of friction decreased noticeably with increasing PE-UHMW content.Currently, improvements in the friction and wear properties of PA66 are mainly focused on fiber reinforcement [26-27] and lubricant modification [28-29], among others; however, there is limited reporting on the impact of maleic anhydride grafted polyethylene (MAPE) on the friction and wear properties of PA66/PTFE blends. Considering the similarity in nonpolar structures between PE and the solid lubricant PTFE, as well as their adaptability to functionalization, this study primarily investigates the effect of MAPE on the friction and wear properties of PA66/PTFE blends and their wear mechanisms.1 Experimental Section1.1 Main Raw MaterialsPA66: 101 F, DuPont Company, USA.MAPE: HAD-14A, grafting rate 0.8%~1.0%, Nanhai Bochen High Polymer New Materials Co., Ltd.PTFE: M1300, particle size 5~10 μm, DuPont, USA;Xylene and Ethanol: Shanghai Guoyao Group Chemical Reagent Co., Ltd.1.2 Main Instruments and EquipmentTwin-screw extruder: TSE-30A/500-11-40, Nanjing Ruiya Extrusion Group Co., Ltd.Injection molding machine: SA600Ⅱ/130, Ningbo Haitian Plastic Machinery Group Co., Ltd.;Electronic Universal Testing Machine: UTM4204, Zhuhai SANS Testing Equipment Co., Ltd.Impact Testing Machine: DR-6025A, Yangzhou Derui Instrument Equipment Co., Ltd.Friction and Wear Testing Machine: MMW-1A, Jinan Yihua Tribology Testing Technology Co., Ltd.;Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM): sigma500, by Carl Zeiss company.Electric Heating Air Blast Drying Oven: DHG-9140A, Shanghai Jing Hong Laboratory Equipment Co., Ltd.1.3 Sample PreparationUsing a twin-screw extruder, PA66 was melt-blended with PTFE and MAPE. The sample codes and specific mass fractions of each component are shown in Table 1. The screw speed was 300 r/min, and the temperature was 270 ℃. Test strips were prepared through injection molding, with the injection temperature set at 270 ℃.Table 1 Sample Code and Mass Fraction of Each Component %1.4 Testing and CharacterizationFriction tests in the pin-on-disc mode were conducted under dry sliding conditions on a tribometer, following the ASTM G 99-2017 standard. The test load was varied, with a friction coefficient test speed (v) of 120 r/min. The wear height change (∆h) before and after testing for each sample was measured and calculated, and the wear volume (∆V) was computed. The volumetric wear rate was then determined.The calculation formula for [mm3/(N∙m)] is shown in Equation (1). (1)Where: ∆V is the wear volume, mm³; P is the load, N; L is the sliding distance, m. Use a universal testing machine to test the flexural and tensile properties of materials according to GB/T 9341-2008 and GB/T 1040.2-2006, with a testing speed of 20 mm/min.Using a impact testing machine, the impact strength of the material was tested according to GB/T 1043-1993.Dynamic thermomechanical analysis was performed in a three-point bending configuration, with a frequency of 1 Hz, a heating rate of 5 °C/min, and a temperature range of 25 to 180 °C.The morphology of the material's worn surface and impact fracture was observed using SEM. Prior to characterization, the sample fracture was etched with xylene and subjected to gold sputtering.2 Results and Discussion2.1 The effect of PTFE on the friction and wear performance of PA66Figure 1 shows the friction and wear properties of PA66/PTFE blends with different PTFE contents (test load was 36 N). As can be seen from Figure 1a, due to the addition of PTFE, the friction test curve of the PA66/PTFE blend shifts downward, indicating that the friction coefficient of the material has been effectively reduced. Moreover, as the PTFE content increases, the reduction in friction coefficient becomes more significant, but the fluctuation amplitude of the friction coefficient also increases. This is likely due to the poor compatibility between PTFE and PA66. The higher the PTFE content, the more defects caused by the poor compatibility between the two phases, leading to an increasingly unstable friction coefficient. As shown in Figure 1b, based on the friction coefficient test curves and the average friction coefficient and volumetric wear rate calculated from the wear height statistics, when the mass fraction of PTFE added is 20%, the friction coefficient of the PA66/F20 material decreases to 0.39, which is a 25.4% reduction compared to pure PA66, providing some degree of self-lubrication improvement. However, due to the poor compatibility between PA66 and PTFE, the volumetric wear rate of the PA66/PTFE blend is higher than that of pure PA66.Fig. 1   Friction and wear properties of PA66/PTFE blends filled with different contents of PTFE2.2 The effect of MAPE on the friction and wear properties of PA66Figure 2 shows the friction and wear performance tests of PA66/MAPE blend materials filled with different MAPE contents. The data indicate that as the MAPE content increases, the friction coefficient of the PA66/MAPE blend material gradually decreases. When the MAPE mass fraction increases from 5% to 10%, the friction coefficient decreases by 20%. As the MAPE mass fraction increases beyond 10%, the downward trend of the friction coefficient tends to level off.Fig. 2 Friction and wear properties of PA66/MAPE blends filled with different contents of MAPE2.3 Effect of MAPE on the Properties of PA/PTFE BlendsMAH grafting is used to modify PA66 materials because the introduced MAH groups can form covalent bonds with the amino-H in PA66 through nucleophilic substitution reactions, resulting in good interfacial interactions[30]. With the total mass fraction of PTFE and MAPE fixed at 20%, the friction coefficient curves of PA66/MAPE, PA66/PTFE, and PA66/PTFE/MAPE blends are shown in Fig. 3a, and the average friction coefficients and volume wear rates are presented in Fig. 3b. It is evident that the addition of MAPE significantly reduces the friction coefficients of all samples compared to the sample PA/F20 with only PTFE added, and the friction coefficients are more stable. Among them, the PA/F5/M15 material has the lowest friction coefficient of 0.234, a 55.3% decrease compared to pure PA66's 0.523, and its volume wear rate is 3.23×10^-6 mm³/(N·m), a 44.1% decrease compared to pure PA66's 5.78×10^-6 mm³/(N·m). The average friction coefficient of the PA/F10/M10 material is also only 0.237. The data demonstrate that PTFE and MAPE have a synergistic effect in improving the friction and wear properties of PA66.Fig. 3 Friction and wear properties of MAPE-modified PA66/PTFE blend materialsTable 2 presents the bending and tensile properties of PTFE and MAPE modified PA66 blends. As shown in Table 2, both PTFE and MAPE have a negative impact on the mechanical strength and modulus of PA66, with MAPE having a greater influence than PTFE. However, due to the good compatibility between MAPE and PA66, the impact strength of the blend increases with the addition of MAPE. Compared to pure PA66, the impact strength of PA/M20 is approximately 59.3% higher than that of pure PA66 at 8.1 kJ/m². The impact strength of PA/F5/M15 is 103.9% higher than that of PA/F20, which only contains PTFE. The flexural modulus of PA66/PTFE/MAPE shows a certain decrease, indicating a reduction in material rigidity, with the lowest PA/F10/M10 decreasing by only 13.4%.Table 2 Flexural and tensile properties of PA66/PTFE/MAPE blends To analyze the mechanism of the effect of MAPE and PTFE on the properties of PA66 blends, SEM was used to conduct morphological analysis of the brittle fracture surfaces of PA/F20, PA/M20, and PA/F10/M10 materials, as shown in Figure 4. In Figure 4b, the fracture surface of PA/F20 is relatively smooth, with clearly visible smooth holes left by the detachment of PTFE, indicating that the compatibility of PTFE with the PA66 matrix is extremely poor, resulting in brittle fracture, and PTFE easily falls off the surface. This should be the reason why the volume wear rate of PA/F20 is greater than that of PA66. In contrast, on the surface of PA/F10/M10, in addition to the dense holes etched by MAPE, there are also many exposed PTFE particles adhering to the surface, indicating that the addition of MAPE has played a role in improving the compatibility between PTFE and the PA66 matrix to some extent.Fig. 4   SEM photos of PTFE and impact fracture surface of PA66/PTFE/MAPE blends2.4 Long-distance Staged Friction TestingTo further explore the effects of MAPE and PTFE on the friction and wear properties of PA66 materials, long-distance staged friction tests were conducted on each material, as shown in Figure 5. As can be seen from Figure 5, under the same test conditions, the PA/F20 sample with only added PTFE exhibits extremely unstable friction coefficients, with significant fluctuations both between cycles and within cycles. This further indicates poor compatibility between PTFE and the PA66 matrix, and that PTFE tends to peel off during the friction process. The PA/M20 also shows a high friction coefficient during the friction stage when the sliding distance exceeds 2,000 meters. Compared to PA/M20 and PA/F20, PA/F10/M10 demonstrates lower friction coefficients and better stability within the sliding distance range of 0-11,000 meters, indicating the synergistic anti-friction effect of PTFE and MAPE on PA66.Fig. 5 Friction coefficient of PA66 and its blends at different sliding distancesfriction stagesFigure 6a lists the volumetric wear of PA66 and its blended materials at various stages of the friction test. As shown in Figure 6a, pure PA66 exhibits high volumetric wear at each stage. Notably, for modified materials filled with PTFE or (and) MAPE, as the sliding distance increases regularly, the volumetric wear of the materials gradually decreases, with the reduction rate slowing down and stabilizing at a low level, demonstrating excellent wear resistance. According to the total volumetric wear statistics for the entire cycle (0–11,000 m) in Figure 6b, the PA/F10/M10 material has the lowest total wear, indicating its superior wear resistance.Figure 6 Volume wear loss of PA66 and its compositesIn order to better study the friction behavior of PA66 and its blended materials, SEM was used to analyze the wear surface after a sliding distance of 2,000 m, as shown in Figure 7. From Figure 7, it can be observed that the surface of pure PA66 has particle-like substances adhered to it, forming abrasive and adhesive wear marks. The small protruding particles on the surface of PA66 undergo deformation and movement due to shear and frictional heat, with the wear mechanism mainly characterized by abrasive wear and adhesive wear.Fig. 7   Morphology of worn surface of PA66 sliding to 2,000 mMAPE has higher flexibility than PA66. Under friction and shear action, the surface of PA/M20 yields and deforms, forming flake-like wear debris. However, due to its good interfacial interaction with the PA66 matrix, the flake-like wear debris is not easy to detach. As a result, the material exhibits a low friction coefficient and volume wear rate, with the wear mechanism primarily characterized by adhesive wear.The wear surface of PA/F20 is relatively flat, which is also due to the tendency of PTFE to yield and deform under friction. A careful observation of Figure 7c reveals the presence of some layered material on the surface, which indicates that a discontinuous film layer of PTFE has formed on the friction contact surface, reducing the direct contact between the material and the steel counterpart. This is the main reason for the improved friction coefficient of PA66/PTFE. Due to the weak interaction between PTFE and the matrix, it is prone to fall off from the wear surface, leaving wider wear scars on the surface, which results in extremely unstable friction coefficients and low wear resistance. In contrast, the wear scars along the friction direction on the PA/F10/M10 wear surface are narrower. Analyzing this in conjunction with Figure 4c further demonstrates that MAPE can improve the compatibility of PTFE with the PA66 matrix, enhancing the interaction between PTFE and the PA66 matrix. The PTFE film layer on the friction surface adheres more firmly to the PA66 matrix, resulting in narrower wear scars and improved wear resistance. While enhancing the interaction between PTFE and PA66, MAPE itself also undergoes plastic deformation, promoting the formation of a continuous and uniform transfer film, with the wear mechanism primarily involving adhesive wear.The effect of MAPE on the friction and wear performance of PA66/PTFE under different loadsAt the same test speed (v=120 r/min), friction tests were conducted on PA, PA/M20, PA/F20, and PA/F10/M10 by varying the load (P), and the results are shown in Figure 8. Although the friction coefficient of the PA/F20 material is lower than that of pure PA66 due to the self-lubricating properties of PTFE, the friction coefficient exhibits significant fluctuations because PTFE is prone to detachment, and the test process is accompanied by substantial vibration noise.Fig. 8 Friction coefficient of PA66 and its composites under different loadsdifferent loadsWith the addition of MAPE, the corresponding materials exhibit lower friction coefficients under both low and high loads. Among them, the PA/F10/M10 material demonstrates a good synergistic improvement effect, showing the lowest and most stable friction coefficient.Table 3 shows the volume wear rates of various PA66 samples under different test loads. As can be seen from Table 3, the volume wear rates of PA/F10/M10 are lower than those of PA/F20 and PA/M20 under different loads, which further indicates that MAPE and PTFE have a friction-reducing effect on PA66, and the wear resistance of PA66 material is further improved.Tab. 3 Volume wear rate of PA, PA/M20, PA/F20, PA/F10/M10 under different loads mm3/(N·m)3 ConclusionThe PA66-based blend material (PA/PTFE/MAPE) modified by PTFE and MAPE was prepared using the melt blending method, and friction and wear tests were conducted under dry friction conditions. SEM was used to analyze the surface morphology of the material cross-section and wear surface, and the friction and wear mechanism was discussed. The following conclusions were drawn:(1) The addition of PTFE can reduce the friction coefficient of PA66 to some extent. However, due to its poor compatibility with PA66, PTFE tends to detach during friction, resulting in a high volume wear rate and unstable friction coefficient for the PA66/PTFE material.MAPE can significantly improve the friction and wear performance of PA66/PTFE materials. Under different friction test conditions, MAPE and PTFE have a synergistic effect on the friction and wear performance of PA66, while the total filling amount of PTFE and MAPE (mass fraction 20%) remains unchanged. The materials exhibit a low and stable friction coefficient and a low volume wear rate. In the friction test with a load of 54 N, the average friction coefficient and volume wear rate of PA/F10/M10 materials are 0.237 and 1.7×10^-6 mm³/(N∙m), respectively.(3) SEM analysis shows that MAPE has good compatibility with PTFE, which can improve the interfacial interaction between PA66 and PTFE, thus enhancing the impact toughness and friction-wear properties of the material.  

Against the backdrop of the dual carbon objectives, the automotive industry is increasingly required to meet stringent emissions reduction targets. Studies have shown that for every 10% decrease in vehicle weight, fuel consumption can be reduced by 6% to 8%, and tailpipe emissions can be lowered by 5% to 6%. Thermoplastic composite materials exhibit excellent mechanical properties and recyclability. By incorporating fibers into the thermoplastic composite resin matrix, it is possible to reduce weight while enhancing design flexibility. The injection molding process facilitates the cost-effective production of complex-shaped components in a single step.The usage and application of long fiber reinforced thermoplastic composites in the automotive industry have been increasing year by year, with LGFPP being one of the most representative materials. Given the wide temperature range of the service environment for automotive composite components, it is necessary to investigate the mechanical properties of materials at both high and low temperatures. Among these, glass fiber reinforced polymers (GFRP) are widely used due to their relatively low cost. Research indicates that enhancing the performance of fiber reinforced polymers when exposed to high temperatures has become one of the challenges in expanding their applications.This work studied the tensile properties of long glass fiber reinforced polypropylene (LGFPP) in high and low temperature environments, aiming to establish a prediction method for the mechanical properties of thermoplastic composites at different temperatures. Through tensile tests conducted in various temperature environments, the effect of environmental temperature on the mechanical properties of LGFPP was investigated, and its failure mechanisms were analyzed. A homogenized RVE model for LGFPP was established to predict the mechanical response and elastic constants of LGFPP at different temperatures, providing guidance for the adaptability of LGFPP in application environments. 01. Material Properties The thermogravimetric test results of LGFPP are shown in Figure 4. When the temperature rises to 700°C, the matrix is completely oxidized, and the remaining substance is glass fiber. The density of the glass fiber is 2.2 g/cm³, and the density of the resin is 0.9 g/cm³. The mass fraction of the glass fiber calculated by Equation (3) is 30.47%, and the volume fraction is 13.3%.  Figure 5 shows the DSC curve of LGFPP, with a melting point of 167.9°C for LGFPP. The calculated specific heat absorption is 65.5 J/g. The presence of a single peak in Figure 5 indicates that the material is un-doped.  After placing the specimen in the crucible and then into the muffle furnace for calcination, a glass fiber substrate was obtained. From the injection port to the tail end, five pieces of glass fiber were taken at regular intervals for observation and statistics: the results are shown in Figure 6. The average length of the fibers was calculated to be 1.74 mm using ImageJ.  02. Temperature Correlation of Tensile Strength The tensile test results of LGFPP in high and low temperature environments are shown in Figure 7 and Table 3. Its unidirectional tensile strength decreases with the increase of temperature. As shown in Table 4, the elongation at break of LGFPP increases. Compared with that at 20℃, its unidirectional tensile strength at 40℃, 60℃, 80℃, and 100℃ decreased by 12.45%, 26.38%, 36.55%, and 45.84%, respectively, and the elongation at break increased by 6.8%, 9.9%, 10.8%, and 20.5%, respectively. The matrix material resin is a thermoplastic material, and as the temperature rises, the molecular movement intensifies, causing it to soften and the elastic modulus to decrease. When the temperature increases, thermal stress is generated at the interface between the fiber reinforcement phase and the matrix phase due to the mismatch in thermal expansion coefficients, which reduces the interfacial performance. Excessively high temperatures can even lead to the formation of cracks within the matrix, weakening the load transfer capability between the glass fibers and the resin, thereby reducing the modulus and strength of LGFPP. When the temperature is below room temperature, the elongation at break of LGFPP decreases, but it is slightly higher at -20°C compared to 0°C. At low temperatures, introducing reinforcing tabs during clamping can mitigate slippage, but cannot completely eliminate it. As shown in Figure 6, slight slippage still occurs during the initial stage of the tensile process at 0°C.  Figure 8 shows a comparison between the experimental and theoretical values of tensile strength, with a maximum error of 9.82%. The two are in good agreement, indicating that the theoretical model provides useful guidance for predicting the uniaxial tensile strength of LGFPP. The main reason for the error at high temperatures is that the theoretical model does not consider the negative impact of stress concentration on mechanical properties as temperature changes. Additionally, the presence of small particles in the polypropylene material can also lead to stress concentration in localized areas. The error at low temperatures is primarily due to the experimental environment exceeding the cold brittle transition temperature of the resin matrix. The low temperature slows down the movement of PP molecular chains, reducing the creep effect at the same stretching rate, which results in a higher tensile strength.  03. Numerical Computation The stress-strain numerical calculations and experimental results of LGFPP at 20 ℃ are compared in Figure 9, with an error of 3%, verifying the effectiveness of the numerical calculations. The numerical calculation results of the unidirectional tensile stress-strain curves and elastic constants of LGFPP from -20 to 100 ℃ are shown in Figure 10 and Table 5, respectively. As the temperature increases, the unidirectional tensile strength of the material decreases, and the failure strain increases; the elastic modulus and shear modulus decrease, with the maximum reduction reaching 46%. However, the Poisson’s ratio does not show a monotonic trend; at room temperature, v12 and v23 are the largest while v13 is the smallest.  04、Microscopic failure mechanisms The failure modes of LGFPP and the existing micro-surface damage show significant differences. The typical failure modes are shown in Figure 11. The typical failure modes of LGFPP at -20℃ are shown in Figure 11a1-a3. The failure is characterized by matrix failure, with a relatively flat fracture surface and minimal fiber pull-out, and the fiber length is short. The matrix exhibits good fiber encapsulation, which is beneficial for load transfer; thus, LGFPP demonstrates higher tensile strength at lower temperatures. Figure 11b1-b3 shows the typical failure modes of LGFPP at 60°C. The failure manifests as matrix failure, with the fracture surface appearing uneven. The length of fibers pulled out from the fracture surface is longer than at lower temperatures, and the load-bearing capacity of the glass fibers is weakened, leading to a gradual decline in the load-bearing capability. From Figure 11b3, it can be observed that there is viscous resin on the fiber surface, indicating that as the temperature rises, the matrix material softens, and the interfacial properties between the fibers and the matrix significantly deteriorate. This is reflected in the load-displacement curve as a lower failure load and a higher elongation at break. The typical failure mode of LGFPP at 100℃ is shown in Figure 11c1-c3, where the failure is characterized by matrix failure and fiber pull-out. The length of fiber pull-out noticeably increases, and the proportion of broken fibers at the fracture surface significantly decreases. From Figure 11c1, it can be observed that as the tensile displacement increases, the interfacial bonding ability between the matrix decreases, and the fibers will pull out some of the matrix together, which is manifested as large-area pits appearing at the matrix interface in Figure 11c2. From Figure 11c3, it is evident that the encapsulation of the matrix around the pulled-out fibers decreases more significantly, resulting in lower viscous action on the surface of the glass fibers and a noticeable decline in load transfer efficiency.  ConclusionCompared to 20°C, the unidirectional tensile strength of LGFPP at -20°C increases by 18.93%. When the environmental temperature rises from room temperature to 100°C, its strength decreases by 45.84%. As the environmental temperature increases, the LGFPP matrix softens, reducing the interfacial bonding strength between the fiber and the matrix. The matrix's viscous effect on the glass fiber surface decreases, gradually shifting from fiber-matrix failure to matrix failure and interfacial failure between the matrix and fibers, leading to a decrease in the load-bearing capacity of the fibers. The softening of the matrix is the primary reason for its reduced load-bearing capacity. (3) Considering the elastic modulus at different temperatures, a numerical analysis model of LGFPP was successfully established, which agrees well with the experiments. This model predicts the mechanical response and elastic constants of the material at different environmental temperatures, providing guidance for the adaptability of LGFPP in application environments.  

Hong Kong Wind Communications reported that on March 23, an investor asked Hengxin Life the following questions: What technical barriers are involved in your company? What are the future business growth plans? Does the company's business or investment involve recent hot topics such as deep seek, robotics, and artificial intelligence? Are there any market value management measures in place? Can the company expand into hot sectors to increase its enterprise value growth potential?In response, Hengxin Life stated on March 31 on the investor interaction platform that the company's main core technology products are produced using PLA as the primary raw material. As a biodegradable material, PLA requires high processing precision, and modifications, coating, and sheet preparation of PLA require long-term technical accumulation and continuous technological innovation, which creates a high technical barrier. The company's business or investments do not currently involve market hotspots such as deep learning, robotics, or artificial intelligence. The company will focus on improving quality as a foundation, implement multiple measures to enhance investment value, and strengthen shareholder return capabilities.

From March 31 to April 2, the 3rd Shenzhen International Composites Industry Technology Exhibition (hereinafter referred to as the "Composites Exhibition") was held at the Shenzhen Convention and Exhibition Center."This year's Composite Materials Exhibition mainly focuses on showcasing new materials, new technologies, and new processes, while also covering multiple product categories across the upstream and downstream of the composite materials industry chain. A total of 178 companies and industry chain firms participated in the exhibition, which demonstrates the diversity of composite materials and their increasingly important role in the future development of the manufacturing industry," said a relevant staff member of the organizing committee of the China International Composite Materials Industrial Technology Exhibition to Securities Daily reporters.Broad development prospectsComposite materials possess excellent characteristics such as lightweight, high strength, intelligence, multifunctionality, and environmental friendliness, making them a strategically encouraged emerging industry in China. Public data from the China Composites Industry Association shows that the composite materials sector will continue to maintain rapid growth over the next five years, with the market size expected to reach 160 billion yuan by 2030, which will also drive significant capacity expansion.It is reported that the upstream of the composite materials industry chain consists of matrix and reinforcing materials, with the matrix including metal-based, ceramic-based, and carbon-based materials, and the reinforcing materials including glass fiber, carbon fiber, etc. The midstream of the industry chain involves the production and manufacturing process of composite materials, which can be divided into carbon-based composites, ceramic-based composites, metal-based composites, etc., according to the different matrices. The downstream applications are widely used in aerospace, automotive industry, new energy, medicine, and other fields.China National Materials Group Corporation(15.400, 0.50, 3.36%)The chairman of China National Materials Technology Co., Ltd. (hereinafter referred to as "China Materials Technology"), Huang Zaiman, has stated that in the coming years, China's composite materials market will continue to maintain a compound annual growth rate of 4% to 5%, and will occupy the largest market share globally. At the same time, technological innovation in the industry will continue to accelerate, driving improvements in product performance and reductions in costs."The development of composite materials in China presents three major characteristics: First, the demand for composite materials in China is continuously growing, and the market size will keep expanding; Second, Chinese companies are increasing their investment in the research and development and production of composite materials, with technological levels constantly improving, and some areas have reached international advanced standards; Third, the industry concentration is gradually increasing, industry integration is accelerating, and the market share of leading enterprises is expanding." Qiu Sixiong, chief economist of Shenzhen WanZhong Consulting Management Co., Ltd., told reporters.In addition, with the continuous advancement of technology, the requirements for material performance are becoming increasingly high, and the research and development of high-performance composite materials has become a key factor in the industry's development. For example, high-performance materials such as carbon fiber reinforced composites and nanocomposites have broad application prospects in fields such as aerospace, automotive lightweighting, and wind power equipment.Listed companies actively expand their layoutAgainst the backdrop of various industries continually seeking breakthroughs and innovations, stringent demands for lightweight and high-strength materials in aerospace, ongoing pursuits of energy efficiency and safety performance in automobile manufacturing, and urgent needs for environmentally friendly and durable materials in the construction sector—all highlight the evolving hotspots in composite materials development. Several companies have preemptively positioned themselves, making moves akin to playing "the first move" in a strategic game.At this year's Composites Exhibition, reporters from Securities Daily observed that several leading companies showcased their flagship or latest products, includingGuangqi Technology(37.620, -0.19, -0.50%)Guangqi Technology Co., Ltd. (hereinafter referred to as "Guangqi Technology"), Sinoma Science Technology Co., Ltd.,Zhongfu Shenying(21.000, 0.12, 0.57%)Carbon Fiber Co., Ltd., ZhuzhouTimes New Material(13.300, -0.17, -1.26%)Liaoke Technology Co., Ltd. (hereinafter referred to as "Times New Materials"), Weihai Guangwei Composite Materials Co., Ltd., ShanghaiCathay Biotech(50.900, 0.58, 1.15%)Technology Co., Ltd., etc.Among them, Guangqi Technology, as a core domestic supplier of a new generation of advanced equipment, showcased advanced composite material products based on metamaterial technology at this year's Composite Exhibition. Relevant staff from Guangqi Technology told the Securities Daily reporter: "These products not only significantly enhance the overall performance of China's advanced equipment, making it more competitive, but also these advanced composite material products are applicable in low-altitude fields and humanoid applications."Robot(17.820, -0.01, -0.06%) field has also demonstrated extremely broad application prospects, injecting new vitality and momentum into the innovative development of related industries."Previously, Kuang-Chi Technology stated on the Interactive Easy platform that the company's humanoid robot project only involves the research and manufacturing of metamaterial key components required for humanoid robots. It is committed to promoting the full-scale intelligent manufacturing of AI-based humanoid robots using metamaterials to enhance the efficiency of various production bases.Cortic Materials Technology is exhibiting wind turbine blades, glass fiber, lithium battery separators, hydrogen storage cylinders, high-performance glass fiber and 3D woven materials, and fiber-reinforced composites at this composite exhibition.Times New Materials isCRRC Corporation Limited(7.010, -0.05, -0.71%)As a high-tech enterprise under a joint-stock company, the firm specializes in the research, production, and sales of new materials and their products. The company has established an integrated industrial chain from material development to product manufacturing, with its products covering various sectors such as rail transit, wind power, automotive components, aerospace, and marine engineering. Recently, Times New Material released its 2024 performance forecast, projecting an operating income of approximately 20.055 billion yuan, a year-on-year increase of 14.35%; and an operating profit of about 522 million yuan, a year-on-year growth of 39.32%. The sales revenue of its wind turbine blades, automotive components, rail transit, and industrial and engineering sectors has reached new historical highs.