Welcome to the January 2026 edition of the Total Materia newsletter!
Edition Highlights
This month’s edition features updates to Total Materia’s materials data, including new polymer producers, Green Line compliance and regulatory updates, and enhancements to Horizon and Optimizer that make material search, screening, and comparison more efficient. We also highlight two technical articles on aluminum–silicon alloys, covering their key properties, performance, and methods to improve casting quality. In addition, we showcase new partnerships with the Advanced Forming Research Centre (AFRC) and GLOMAS, which strengthen collaboration and provide improved access to standards and materials data.
We’re constantly enhancing the Total Materia platform to ensure you have access to the most comprehensive and up-to-date materials information.
Here’s what’s new in January 2026:
| Category | Key Updates |
| Polymers PLUS – Producer New | Freudenberg, Trelleborg, Nolato, Henkel, PTW Technik Wagenfeld GmbH, CamSeals, Injextru plastics, Bitec, Röchling SE & Co. KG, Murtfeldt Kunststoffe GmbH & Co. KG, DIC Corporation, LyondellBasell Industries, Denka, Favier Group, 3M Company, Braskem, KYOCERA Corporation,The Gund Company |
| Green Line – SVHC producers’ statements updates | Chevron Phillips, Braskem, Chi Mei Corporation, Formosa Chemicals & Fibre Corporation, Formosa Plastics, BASF, Borealis AG, Total S.A., Carmel Olefins Ltd., Ducor Petrochemicals, Elix Polymers, S. L., INEOS Group AG, EMS-GRIVORY, INEOS Group AG |
| Green Line – Compliance – Producer Updates | Wacker Chemie AG |
| Green Line – Regulations Updates | EU RoHS Exemptions, REACH, CoRAP, BPR |
Total Materia Horizon - Smarter Quick Search
Quick Search is now faster and more intuitive. Suggestions appear as you type in the designation field, and if a match is unique, users jump straight to the material page-reducing unnecessary searches. These improvements make finding the right material quicker and simpler, helping engineers focus on decision-making rather than searching.
Optimizer - Enhanced Integration and Capabilities
Optimizer now works seamlessly with search results, material lists, and cross-reference tables, allowing users to forward materials directly for ranking and screening. A clear criteria summary panel provides an overview of optimization settings at a glance, while a range of polymer-specific properties-like Heat Deflection Temperature, Melt Flow Index, and Water Absorption-enables richer comparisons. These updates streamline workflows, provide deeper insights, and help engineers make faster, more accurate, data-driven material decisions.
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New Membership: The Advanced Forming Research Centre (AFRC)
Total Materia has joined the Advanced Forming Research Centre (AFRC) as a member. The AFRC is known for its work in applied research and industrial collaboration in advanced manufacturing. This membership strengthens collaboration opportunities in materials engineering and digitalisation, while supporting practical, industry-focused innovation. |
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Cooperation Agreement with GLOMAS Deutschland GmbH
Total Materia has entered into a cooperation agreement with GLOMAS Deutschland GmbH. By combining GLOMAS’ standards management solutions with Total Materia’s materials information platform, customers gain more connected access to standards and materials data. Integration between GLOMAS Nova.Norms and the Total Materia database is also possible where needed, helping engineers and standards professionals work more efficiently. |
- ALUMINUM-SILICON ALLOYS
This article reviews aluminum–silicon alloys, a key group of lightweight casting alloys known for excellent fluidity, low shrinkage, and good dimensional stability. It explains how silicon content and alloying additions influence strength, wear resistance, corrosion behavior, and thermal expansion. The article also outlines typical applications such as pistons and complex cast components, showing why these alloys are widely used where reliable casting quality and balanced mechanical performance are required. - MODIFICATION AND REFINEMENT OF ALUMINUM-SILICON ALLOYS
This article focuses on methods used to improve aluminum–silicon alloys through eutectic modification and primary silicon refinement. It describes how elements such as sodium, strontium, calcium, antimony, and phosphorus help control microstructure, leading to better ductility, machinability, and casting performance. The article also highlights the importance of melt preparation, hydrogen control, and oxide removal to ensure consistent casting quality across different production methods.