{"id":13536,"date":"2025-12-16T09:00:28","date_gmt":"2025-12-16T08:00:28","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.emsland-group.de\/?p=13536"},"modified":"2026-01-07T09:12:48","modified_gmt":"2026-01-07T08:12:48","slug":"powering-the-shift_en","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.emsland-group.de\/en\/powering-the-shift_en\/","title":{"rendered":"Powering the shift"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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From food staple to fiber protector  \u2014 starch is powering the shift to next-generation low-dk (dielectricity\/permittivity) glass in tomorrow\u2019s electronics.<\/em><\/strong><\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n

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Glass Fiber Sizing \u2014 Powering the Devices of Modern Life<\/strong><\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

From the smartphone in your pocket to the computer on your desk \u2014 chances are, you\u2019re looking at something that relies on glass fibers<\/strong>. These tiny, versatile filaments are essential in electronics, construction, automotive, and even high-speed data transfer.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In electronics, glass fibers are a crucial reinforcement in printed circuit boards (PCBs)<\/strong>, where they provide the strength and insulation needed for nearly every electronic device we use such as cell phones, computers, <\/strong>and TVs<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A Lesser-Known Role for Starch<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

When you think of starch, you\u2019re likely not thinking about fiber optics or high-performance electronics. Yet one of starch\u2019s most important roles is in glass fiber sizing<\/strong>. By acting as a binding and protective agent, starch helps prepare glass fibers for the demanding environments inside your favorite devices.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This is a perfect example of how renewable, plant-based resources can make an invisible yet vital contribution to modern technology \u2014 far beyond the kitchen.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Why Pre-Sizing Matters<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Pre-sizing is the very first sizing step applied immediately after molten glass exits the nozzles and forms filaments. Without this protective coating, the freshly formed fibers could not be produced or handled without breaking. The pre-sizing solution \u2014 containing starch among other components \u2014 enhances adhesion between filaments, improves flexibility, and protects the fibers from damage during the initial stages of manufacturing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In high-performance electronics, the right pre-sizing is crucial<\/strong> to minimize filament breakage from the very beginning, ensure compatibility with subsequent processing steps, and provide strong adhesion between the fibers and the starch\u2014without compromising mechanical strength.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

When the glass fibers are later processed into fabrics for applications such as printed circuit boards, they typically undergo an additional sizing step known as warp sizing. This process protects the fibers during weaving and enhances their processing properties. Due to the highly demanding nature of the weaving process, this additional sizing step is indispensable.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

That\u2019s where Emsland Group\u2019s Emglass\u00ae<\/sup> range<\/strong> comes in. Our starch-based solutions are designed for optimal pre-sizing performance, offering:<\/p>\n\n\n\n