Solvay acquires EPIC Polymers’ long-fiber thermoplastics (LFT) technology to complement its offering of high performance lightweighting materials and gain access to metal replacement of larger automotive semi-structural parts.
Privately-owned, EPIC Polymers GmbH based in Kaiserslautern, Germany, has developed an innovative technology to reinforce high performance thermoplastic polymers with long glass fibres. Demand-led growth for these sophisticated tailored materials offering superior mechanical and thermal properties, coupled with high impact resistance, strength and stiffness at elevated temperatures, is driven by the need to reduce fuel consumption and lower CO2 emissions.
“Having this technology is an important step in the expansion of Solvay Specialty Polymers’ broad offering of materials that are simultaneously light and ultra-performing. We will be able to provide larger semi-structural parts for the automotive sector, our key market, and develop expertise to apply LFT technology to core polymers including KetaSpire® PEEK and AvaSpire® PAEK, providing further possibilities for metal replacement in other markets such as transportation,” said Augusto Di Donfrancesco, President of Solvay’s Specialty Polymers Global Business Unit.
Solvay Specialty Polymers’ products replace metal in an array of demanding automotive under-the-hood components such as hot air ducts, powertrains, engine control units, oil and water modules and conduits, while LFT are typically used to make interior/exterior semi-structural parts.
In addition to PEEK and PAEK polymers, the LFT technology will be applied to Solvay’s Amodel® PPA and Ryton® PPS portfolio of products and Technyl® polyamide 6.6 (PA6.6) range.
Source: Solvay
We are closing the chapter of the Chemicals Import Export Headquarters, and opening a new chapter under the name of Qemetica – a chemical group driving many industries on all continents. Therefore, the change of name is also accompanied by the adoption of the key goals of the business strategy for the next 6 years. – says Kamil Majczak, President of the Management Board.
In its efforts to advance chemical recycling, Neste has successfully conducted its first processing trial run with a new challenging raw material, liquefied discarded tires. In the processing run, Neste produced high-quality raw material for new plastics and chemicals.
Sika is opening a state-of-the-art facility in Lima, Peru, to produce synthetic macro fibers, and expanding the rollout of a product range with great growth potential in Latin America. With this innovative technology, Sika is further strengthening its position as a leading supplier to the mining industry and a strong partner for infrastructure projects.
