BioGear combines recycled carbon fiber and flax-based composites, weighing only 6.9kg (40% of the original). Meeting CS.27 specifications and exceeding emergency landing requirements (CS 27.727), BioGear also outperforms traditional metallic counterparts.

High density PE (HDPE) is used in blow-moulded products such as milk bottles, packaging containers, drums, car fuel tanks, toys and household goods. Film and sheet are used in wrapping, refuse sacks, carrier bags and industrial liners. Injection moulded products include crates, pallets, packaging containers and housewares. Extrusion grades are used in pipes and conduit.

Thermoplastic polyphenylene sulfide (PPS) and carbon-fiber fabric are processed via injection molding. A single material is used to facilitate recycling. Processes include thermostamping for shaping, waterjet cutting, induction welding for function integration and assembly, and injection overmolding.

Demand in the East Med remains weak because of political instability in Iraq and Syria, and poor finished goods sales.

Prioritizing sustainability, recycled carbon fibers reduce environmental impact, transitioning to a cradle-to-cradle approach. Flax fibers offer advantages of low environmental impact, density reduction, and vibration dampening. BioGear aims for lightweight design, enhanced energy absorption, and minimal drag resistance through meticulously studied airfoil cross-sections using CFD simulations while keeping an eye on manufacturability through autoclave molding.

Demand in the GCC and East Med is primarily driven by food packaging which strengthens ahead of the fasting month of Ramadan. Demand is also stronger ahead of the Eid ul-Adha holiday and is soft during the summer holiday months of July and August.

Description: BioGear is a helicopter landing gear blending carbon- and flax-fiber-reinforced composites, achieving a 60% weight reduction over traditional metal counterparts. BioGear not only enhances emergency landing response but also prioritizes both efficiency and environmental impact.

Stephen has been with PlasticsToday and its preceding publications Modern Plastics and Injection Molding since 1992, throughout this time based in the Asia Pacific region, including stints in Japan, Australia, and his current location Singapore. His current beat focuses on automotive. Stephen is an avid folding bicycle rider, often taking his bike on overseas business trips, and a proud dachshund owner.

HDPE is produced by the catalytic polymerisation of ethylene in three types of processes: slurry (suspension), solution and gas-phase reactors. LLDPE is produced by adding alpha olefins (butene, hexene or octene) during ethylene polymerisation to produce a resin with a similar density to LDPE, but with the linearity of HDPE. Many processes can swing between LLDPE and HDPE production.

The standoff between Qatar and the rest of the GCC countries led by Saudi Arabia and the UAE since June 2017 has led to a ban on Qatar-origin PE within the GCC. The East Med continues to source material from Qatar via sea following the closure of Qatar’s borders with GCC countries other than Oman.

Description: Sogeclair Equipment, formerly known as Aviacomp, has developed an aeronautic door, featuring a complex stamping shape and advanced welding, that is fabricated from a thermoplastic composite. With integrated overmolded parts and an optimized design, the solution significantly reduces weight and assembly time using composite materials and induction welding.

LDPE is made from the polymerisation of ethylene in autoclave or tubular reactors at very high pressures (up to 50,000 lb/square inch). The process can be used to make copolymers with polar comonomers, such as ethylene vinyl acetate (EVA) polymer.

Description: ATG Europe has developed a one-shot manufacturing process for uninterrupted prepreg fiber-placed lattice structures that aim to replace current satellite central tube designs. These cylindrical lattice structures offer optimal structural functionality at a reduced mass. This innovation included the design, development, and manufacture of a fully representative carbon-fiber-reinforced plastic (CFRP) lattice central tube based on requirements for the European Space Agency’s Plato satellite, including all necessary interface zones. Thermoset pre-preg carbon-fiber tows and patches were manually laid-up onto a mandrel and consolidated and cured in an autoclave in a single step to form one integral part. The primary interface to the launcher structure was provided by a one-piece aluminum interface ring, which was integrated with the lattice cylinder through a hybrid joint.

Players in the GCC are also uncertain of HDPE prices sustaining, as a slowdown in China piping projects from delays in government funding has been the trend since May.

The development of metallocene catalysts also allows slurry-loop operators to enter the LLDPE sector. Bimodal processes claim to produce resins competitive to those from metallocene.

Prices to the Middle East are often driven by suppliers’ netbacks in other markets such as Asia. HDPE prices have risen since early 2018 following the steep rise in demand for HDPE pipe in China, driven by its move from coal to gas as the source of energy. A number of GCC-based sellers switched to producing more pipe, in view of significantly higher netbacks and cut back on HDPE film and blow moulding.

Low density polyethylene (LDPE) is used as a packaging film, either on its own or blended with linear low density PE (LLDPE) to make bags, bottles, tubing and moulded laboratory equipment. LLDPE is used as film for food and non-food packaging, shrink and stretch film, injection moulding products, wire and cable, and rotomoulding applications.

The Middle East is a major producer and exporter of PE. Buyers in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) source the bulk of material from suppliers based within the region, with cargoes transported to buyers’ warehouses via trucks. Imports into the East Mediterranean market of Jordan also go by trucks from Saudi Arabia and the UAE, while buyers in Lebanon source PE cargoes via sea from GCC ports. The difficult political landscape in Iraq and Syria has led to PE imports remaining weak in these regions.

This has led to HDPE film and blow moulding prices remaining high since early this year. LDPE film prices in the region initially saw upward gains in mid-2017, prompted by the absence of Qatar-origin product within the GCC. However, a typically small market for this grade, coupled with buyer resistance, limited any sustained increase. Ample supply from regional producers has capped LLDPE film gains, despite the absence of Qatar-origin cargoes in the GCC.

Polyolefins demand in the Middle East is likely to be limited going into Q3, though an uptick is possible in late Q3 or early Q4 onwards. Summer holidays and high daytime temperatures seen in July and August are likely to cap purchasing as many people travel outside of the GCC for a break.