The renewable energy market is estimated to grow at a CAGR of 8.91% between 2022 and 2027, according to Technavio.
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New energy refers to renewable energy sources other than fossil fuels, such as solar, wind, hydrogen, water, etc. They are not only abundant and inexhaustible, but also produces less carbon emissions and provides enormous benefits for our environment. The wider application of the clean energy sources has been made possible by energy storage.
The global renewable energy market is estimated to grow at a CAGR of 8.91% between 2022 and 2027, according to Technavio, of which 73% will be contributed by the significantly growing Asia-Pacific market. Remarkably, continuous innovation in plastics empowers the burgeoning development of the new energy industry with new lightweight, high-performance, low-cost and low-carbon materials. By leveraging the unique properties of plastics, more sophisticated designs, optimized components and efficient processing technologies are emerging.
Source: Adsale Plastics Network()
The global renewable energy market is estimated to grow at a CAGR of 8.91% between 2022 and 2027, according to Technavio, of which 73% will be contributed by the significantly growing Asia-Pacific market. Remarkably, continuous innovation in plastics empowers the burgeoning development of the new energy industry with new lightweight, high-performance, low-cost and low-carbon materials. By leveraging the unique properties of plastics, more sophisticated designs, optimized components and efficient processing technologies are emerging.
Solarge, a manufacturer of solar panels, has partnered with SABIC to develop lightweight low-carbon solar panel. SABIC’s differentiated polypropylene (PP) compounds for solar panel offer more than 50% weight reduction and 25% carbon footprint reduction.
South Korean company LG Chem has developed LUPOY EU5201, an engineering plastic composed of acrylonitrile styrene acrylate (ASA) with polycarbonate (PC) as a base and reinforced with glass fibers. The strong and lightweight material is used to replace aluminum for the production of solar panel frame. Besides, it can also be produced with post-consumer recycled (PCR) PC.
Manufacturing of solar panels made with plastic also requires less time and cost without compromising functionality and durability. Borouge’s Quentys Encapsulant Films and PP compounds for backsheet feature superior resistance to UV light, high water barrier and a lamination that does not require chemical reaction.
In a case study from Covestro and bewind, a specialist wind engineering consultancy, the use of Covestro’s PU solutions reduce manufacturing costs by up to 8% when compared to standard alternative products in a typical offshore wind farm.
The second blade, measuring 77 meters in length, is the world-first in utilizing Arkema’s recycled thermoplastic liquid resin, Elium, in manufacturing shear web, an essential structural component of the blade.
Toray, a Japanese material supplier, offers ultra-high-strength carbon fiber known as TORAYCA, which possess exceptional tensile strength. This material strengthens hydrogen tanks, enabling them to withstand the extraordinarily high burst pressure associated with compressed hydrogen.
The technology center of Brückner has already conducted extensive testing and identification of the best process window and film properties. As a proof of concept, several Asian film manufacturers have placed orders for the German machinery manufacturer’s film stretching lines, both sequential and simultaneous ones.