Application Showcase

Application

Showcase

Innovative Use of Fluoropolymers: 3D-Printed “Nomura” Coffee Table from Arkema Inc. & POOLP

The Nomura coffee table, a collaborative creation from Arkema Inc. and POOLP. Photo courtesy of POOLP via LinkedIn.

Imagine enjoying your morning coffee atop a table that began life as a 3D-printed object crafted from sustainable, partially biobased polymers. That vision came to life with the “Nomura” coffee table, a collaborative creation from Arkema Inc. and POOLP — From Waste to Design, Crafted by Robots. First displayed at the Formnext 2025 trade fair, the project blends advanced additive manufacturing with sustainable material science, using Arkema’s transparent, UV- and chemical-resistant Rilsan Clear polyimide.

What makes Nomura particularly compelling is the material choice: with more than 60% biobased content derived from castor beans, Rilsan Clear offers a significantly lower-carbon-footprint alternative to traditional fossil-based plastics, aligning durability with sustainability. The project uses large-format additive manufacturing (not filament) and recycles waste plastic (e.g., from used eyewear frames), regrinding it into high-quality granules for printing.

By demonstrating how performance polymers can go beyond industrial applications into design, furniture and consumer products, Nomura underscores the versatility of modern plastics. www.kynex.com

SEKISUI KYDEX Thermoplastics Support Award-Winning Rail Interior Innovation

SEKISUI KYDEX and design partner neomind were recently honored with the RedCabin Railway Interiors Award for Collaboration of the Year for their work on IdeenzugUrban, an innovative next-generation rail interior concept showcased in Hamburg’s S-Bahn. The project highlights how high-performance thermoplastics can enable lighter, more durable and more sustainable railway cabin designs.

IdeenzugUrban, an innovative next-generation rail interior concept by SEKISUI KYDEX and neomid, showcased in Hamburg’s S-Bahn.

A key objective of the collaboration was identifying a material solution that reduced weight while meeting long-term durability requirements — an essential challenge for modern rail systems. neomind selected KYDEX® Thermoplastics for their strength-to-weight ratio, dimensional stability and ability to support new design approaches that replace traditional materials. These properties allowed the team to integrate functional details directly into components and streamline production processes.

The IdeenzugUrban concept aims to inspire engineers and specifiers at the earliest stages of fleet planning, encouraging them to evaluate more sustainable materials and design methods. By incorporating thermoplastic components from the outset, the project demonstrates how performance plastics can contribute to cohesive, visually appealing and passenger-friendly interiors while maintaining structural integrity and lifecycle value.

This award-winning concept underscores the role of material innovation in shaping the future of rail transportation and showcases the potential of advanced thermoplastics to support evolving expectations around sustainability, accessibility and passenger experience. www.kydex.com

Cope Plastics, Inc. Helps Kentucky Wineries and Distilleries Raise the (Plastic) Bar

Several Kentucky wineries and distilleries are upgrading their operations with components and structural parts fabricated from high-performance plastics supplied by Cope Plastics, Inc. — a move that is improving durability, chemical resistance and maintenance efficiency in facilities handling liquid, fermentation and aging processes.

A glass of amber liquid stands in the center of a circular wooden barrel opening, resting on a bed of golden grain with a distillery pot still in the background.

Shutterstock

Traditional materials like wood or metal often struggle in the harsh, wet and chemical-exposed environments typical of winemaking and distilling. In contrast, the performance plastics used — such as UHMW-PE, HDPE and specialty grades — provide excellent chemical resistance, low moisture absorption and dimensional stability under load. The result: longer-lasting tanks, wear-resistant liners and easier-to-clean surfaces that require less downtime and maintenance.

Cope Plastics’ broad fabrication capabilities, combined with their ability to deliver cut-to-size stock and custom machined parts, enables these beverage producers to meet strict hygiene, durability and safety standards while optimizing production schedules.

This partnership illustrates the growing role that engineered plastics play beyond traditional industrial applications — offering wineries and distilleries a cost-effective, long-term solution for equipment exposed to corrosive chemicals, heavy wear and constant cleaning. The result: more reliable operations and reduced lifecycle costs for producers. www.copeplastics.com

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