USC team develops promising polymer for solar cells

(Physorg) -- Currently, most solar cells are based on silicon which for the most part, necessitates a rigid structure. This isn't always ideal as some applications would benefit by material that is more bendable. Also, because of the way silicon solar based cells are made, they tend to cost more than a lot of people are willing to pay. If a way could be found to mass produce solar cells very cheaply, its likely solar cells would be installed in far more places and costs for energy would go down.


One way to do this, researchers believe, is to create a polymer based material that could be used instead of silicon. Such material would cost less to produce and have sufficient bendiness that it could be printed onto bendable surfaces in much the same way newspapers are mass printed, i.e. via giant rollers. Up


Now a team working out of USC, headed by Alan Heeger, who along with Guillermo Bazan won the Nobel Prize in Physics back in 2000 for groundbreaking work they did on polymer cells, believe they have made another breakthrough. In their paper, published in Nature Materials, they say they've figured out a way to use an organic material with a low molecular weight (small molecule) to produce a solar cell that is every bit as efficient as current silicon technology.


The small molecule technology came about as the result of work done by Bazan, who used theory and lots of trial and error to produce just the right material; one that could, unlike many others that had been tried, be formed into a layer that could be applied to other materials. Heeger then took the lead in applying the new material in a solar cell. The end result the team says, is a solar cell capable of matching the 6.7% energy efficiency of silicon cells. And not only that, they believe with some tweaking, they can get it to 9%.


MRC

BASF reported on its integrated farmer-focused approach to agricultural sustainability

(BASF) -- BASF gave a progress report on its integrated farmer-focused approach to agricultural sustainability, first announced in September 2009. Milestones included the assurance of a new method for the comparative assessment of sustainability in agriculture, the creation of a new business pillar charged with developing solutions for resource and stress management and the introduction of integrated solutions to growers' needs. The company also gave an update on the rapid advancement of its plant biotechnology trait pipeline.


The company also announced a sales target of ┬6 billion by 2020 for its Crop Protection business. One important pillar of the division's business will remain mature markets in Europe, North America and Japan. But the company expects even stronger growth from emerging markets. Latin America plays a major role in this growth strategy. Other emerging markets, particularly in Asia, are expected to see significant momentum.


MRC

Cereplast extended its agreement with ColorTec to supply bioplastic resin

(Cereplast) -- Cereplast, Inc., a leading manufacturer of proprietary biobased, compostable and sustainable plastics, has extended its agreement with Italy-based ColorTec S.r.l to supply bioplastic resin to the Italian and Slovenian markets effective November 4, 2011 through December 31, 2012. Under the terms of the agreement, ColorTec is projecting to purchase $20 million of materials in 2012.


"With the signing of this significant agreement, ColorTec intends to purchase $20 million of product in 2012 and becomes Cereplast's main distribution partner in Italy," said Frederic Scheer, Founder, Chairman and CEO of Cereplast, Inc. "The expansion of this agreement reflects the increasing demand for our bioplastic products in Italy, where we have recently completed the purchase of a manufacturing plant, expected to start production in 2012. We look forward to continuing our already strong relationship with ColorTec to expand our footprint in Italy."


MRC

ICIS-MRC to offer a new format of the Polymers Summit

(MOSCOW) -- In Moscow on 30 November 2011 in The Ritz Carlton The Polymers Summit-2011 will be held under the guidance of ICIS-MRC (Market Report). The participants of the Summit will be top-managers of the leading Russian and foreign companies which produce and process nearly a half of the polymers market of CIS. The main idea of the Summit is to find "the golden mean" between producers and converters. When producers receive exactly such margin of production, which helps them to invest in production expansion in order to substitute polymers imports, and the converters receive such price of the feedstock that helps them to compete imported finished products.

"A new Summit will be absolutely different from ordinary conferences with a list of reports and coffee breaks, - as per Sergey Karaichentsev from MRC (Market Report). - The Summit programme will be formed on the basis of online-questions to speakers. The reports will be short, the main time of the speakers will be devoted to communication with colleagues. Each Summit participant from the moment of registration is forming topics of reports and invites colleagues. On the summit site it is possible to watch videos, presentations, reports, ask questions to any Summit participant. In "My schedule" it is possible to invite a partner for a cup of coffee, cocktail or lunch as well as confirm or postpone a meeting".


The first Summit was visited by 165 delegates from 15 countries, including representatives of Nizhnekamskneftechem, Kazanorgsyntez, LUKOIL, Sibur, Salavat, BASHCHEM, Sayanskchemplast, Dow, Borealis, ExxonMobil, LG Chem, LyondellBasell, SABIC, Total Petrochemicals, Petkim, Polyplastic, Centropolymer, Biaxplen, Tarkett, Profine, ETC, Transchem, ETK, Lava, Chempack etc. Companies-participants produce and process more than half of all bulk polymers in the CIS.


MRC

US Sealed Air to integrate global cleaning and sanitisation specialist Diversey

(PlastEurope) -- Protective packaging supplier Sealed Air (Elmwood Park, New Jersey / USA) has revealed its next steps in the integration of global cleaning and sanitisation specialist Diversey, which it acquired in June 2011 for USD 4.3 bn. The integration will lead to the establishment of three market-oriented business units focused on food safety and security, facility hygiene and product protection.


The company said the new organisation will simplify its organisational structure and reduce complexity, bring advantages through economies of scale in key market sectors and geographies, focus and accelerate growth in developing markets across all businesses and maximise shared customer and development opportunities in the food and beverage unit.


The new organisation will consist of the business units and a developing markets group to support the global businesses and accelerate growth in Africa, Asia, India, the Middle East and Turkey, the company said. The new structure is expected to be implemented in 2012 and will replace Sealed Air's six business unit structure and Diversey's four region-based structure.


The food and beverage business will combine Sealed Air's legacy food packaging and food solutions businesses with Diversey's food and beverage applications. The new segment will deliver solutions to improve the food and beverage supply chain, bringing extended product shelf life, reduced waste, and provide value-added convenience benefits, the company said. This business is expected to represent approximately 45% of Sealed Air revenue. It will be led by Karl Deily, who currently leads the company's global food packaging business.


MRC