MATERIALS | SHEET MATERIALS


Right: Exolon’s 60 HX translu- cent façade offers high thermal insulation and mechanical strength


proportion of the polycarbonate used is based on biocircular raw materials: up to 89% of the material is not obtained from fossil sources but is from chemical recycling. The panel not only contributes to reducing CO2 emissions but also meets the increasing demands for certified sustainable building materials in both public and private construction, says Exolon. In addition, it showed its Ecorange plastic sheet


at this year’s show – which includes transparent polycarbonate and polyester sheets with a reduced carbon footprint. It comprises four product types based on


recycled or renewable raw materials. Depending on the variant, sheets contain up to 100 % pre- consumer recyclate, post-consumer content or bio-circular materials.


Autonomous vehicle Sekisui Kydex has supplied a flame-retardant thermoforming sheet material for a new design of autonomous vehicle. German start-up Holon has developed a


Below: Sekisui Kydex supplied a thermoform- ing material for Holon’s


autonomous vehicle


‘next-generation shuttle’ that required a material solution to meet FMVSS 302 flammability stand- ards, support recyclability and maintain a premium aesthetic across all interior components. One pain points in bus interiors – as with other interior design – is maintaining visual consistency across different components and processes. Variations in colour and texture between materials can “disrupt the passenger experience”. To solve this, the partners worked closely to identify the right solution from a portfolio of thermoplastics. Sekisui supplied Holon with Allen 5050 WLG, a low-gloss, high-impact sheet that delivers “visual consistency and tactile comfort”. It has an ABS substrate capped with a low-to-medium gloss ASA layer – giving UV protection and scratch resistance. Holon’s design team chose the material for its ability to reduce glare and enhance passenger


experience – while being recyclable. The matte finish and colour-matching capabilities helped Holon achieve a “cohesive interior environment”. With plans to launch in both North America and


Europe, Holon needed production flexibility and consistent quality – so Sekisui connected it with thermoforming partners in Germany and the US.


On the roof Meanwhile, Polygal Multiwall polycarbonate sheet from Plaskolite has been installed on the roof of a retail outlet in New Hampshire, USA. Tuscan Brands, which operates the Sam Adams


Pavilion, wanted to create a showpiece outdoor entertainment area that maximised the natural light while providing protection from the elements. The challenges in roofing the structure included the weight, size limitations and heat amplification of glass panels.


Using polycarbonate sheet met all requirements for the installation and provided several benefits over glass. Construction finished on time and under budget.


Each panel was 2ft x 25ft. Glass panels could have no longer than 8 ft, meaning the roof would have required far more framing – obstructing the clean views Tuscan Brands wanted. In addition, the installation would have taken much longer. Because glass amplifies sunlight, designers


feared it would create too much heat. The polycarbonate sheet is transparent to visible light but opaque to UV light from – so does not heat up the interior of the pavilion. There were also several cost savings – other than


upfront cost. Because the sheets are so light, the installation team did not need a crane, as it would have with glass panels. Using the polycarbonate also reduced the time on the job by around two weeks. Seal failures with glass – which can result in foggy windows – is a common reason for service calls, but this is not an issue with Polygal, said Polyvantis.


14 FILM & SHEET EXTRUSION | May/June 2026 www.filmandsheet.com


IMAGE: SEKISUI KYDEX


IMAGE: EXOLON


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