AUTOMOTIVE | INTERIORS AND EXTERIORS
masterbatch forms filled with high content of special additives. The user can dilute these with virgin polymers to achieve the required final properties of the product.” Sumika Polymer Compounds Europe (SPC
EU), one more major supplier of glass fibre reinforced PP, last year acquired the EMAS com- pounding group, which has a dedicated recycling plant in Bursa, Turkey. “Thanks to upstream improvements on the recycled PP production line, this takeover allowed for better regularity of sourcing, as well as the ability to satisfy the strictest requirements,” the company says. SPC EU now calls its range of recycled PP grades
Thermofil Circle. It is composed of four series, with recycled content varying over the different grades. They include one grade that the company says can compete with virgin material or recycled PA6; and another that matches the properties of Thermofil HP. “Sustainability is about attainability,” says
Venkatakrishnan Umamaheswaran (widely known as UV), Global Marketing Director of SABIC’s automotive business. He says his people are focused on developing offerings ranging from driving down CO2 emissions to increasing the use of recycled materials. “We are currently validating a set of materials based on mechanical recycling. This portfolio will include PP and engineered resins with high recycled content, based on both post-consumer recycle (PCR) and post-industrial recycle (PIR).” First grades, set to be released in Europe, include 20- and 40% talc-filled PP compounds for non-visible applications, including an emission- optimised grade, and a polycarbonate blend resin based on recycled PET. “We have other materials in the pipeline that can address needs for applica-
tions for both the exterior and interior,” says UV. “All of these grades are part of SABIC’s new portfolio of Trucircle solutions.” Borealis, one of the world’s largest suppliers of polyolefins, last year introduced a new platform to demonstrate its commitment towards a more circular plastic economy. Under the EverMinds umbrella, Borealis is extending its Borcycle range of recycled polyolefins. Borcycle will also become the brand name for all existing Daplen PCR grades. Lucrèce Foufopoulos, Borealis Executive Vice
President Polyolefins, Innovation & Technology and Circular Economy Solutions, says the company is helping its automotive partners raise the share of recycled plastics in vehicles by developing innova- tive polyolefin-based solutions that are composed of both virgin and increased PCR content levels. In 2014, Borealis was one of the first polyolefin suppliers to launch a range of dedicated PP compound solutions including PCR for use in automotive applications under the Daplen brand. Three compounds that were developed in Europe will be rebranded as Borcycle ME2220SY, Borcycle MD2550SY and Borcycle MD3230SY.
No need for painting In July, Asahi Kasei Plastics North America (APNA) introduced SoForm, an addition to its Thermylene family of specialty chemically-coupled glass fibre reinforced polypropylenes. SoForm is described as a cost- and process-optimised material for automotive interior surfaces and industrial durable goods. According to the company, SoForm features
excellent scratch resistance with haptic surface feel and improved durability compared with competi- tors. “Durability coupled with low gloss and improved haptic surface feel are key to interior performance and customer end use criteria now more than ever; SoForm provides an attractive solution to meet these demanding requirements,” says Jane Horal, Marketing and Business Develop- ment Manager at APNA. The material is available with glass reinforce- ment levels of 10%, 15%, 20% and 25%. All are available in either natural or pre-coloured for injection moulding. “SoForm has unique performance compared to
Above: Asahi Kasei Plastics North America has introduced SoForm, an addition to its Thermylene family of specialty chemically-coupled glass fibre reinforced polypropylenes
20 INJECTION WORLD | November/December 2020
traditional talc reinforced thermoplastic elastomers due to the increased scratch and mar properties” says Todd Glogovsky, VP of Sales and Technology at APNA. “For applications that have higher durabil- ity requirements, SoForm will be a key product.” The material eliminates the needs to paint, over- mould or foam-in-place.
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IMAGE: ASAHI KASEI
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