For almost two decades, an expert committee, meeting once a year, has supported Kunststoffe magazine in determining the state of play in the plastics industry and identifying current technical developments. This time, the traditional spring meeting gave it an opportunity to debate the consequences of the Corona virus.

Taking new paths: during the Corona crisis, certain technical obstacles were also overcome by the Kunststoffe publisher advisory committee, who held a round table discussion by video conference for the first time. Present by video link were, among others, (top, from left) Dr. Guiscard Glück, Prof. Christian Hopmann (bottom, from left) Martin Würtele and Dr. Achim Eggert

16:9

Current Challenges and Options for Action in the Plastics Industry

Wirtschaftspolitik in Deutschland

Wirtschaft

Verpackungsmaterial

Logistik

Klotz, Karlhorst, Dr.

Internationale Wirtschaft

Verpackungsanlagen

Coilhandling

Recycling

Umweltmanagement

Kunststoff-Verpackungsmaschine

Kunststoffverarbeitung: Maschinen und Komponenten

Sondermaschinen

Kunststoff-Recycling

Kunststoffverarbeitung: Verfahren

Kunststoff-Aufbereitung

Medizintechnik

Starting up under the Shadow  of Corona

Clariant announced the opening of a new world-class production facility for process and light stabilizers. The facility is jointly owned by Clariant and Beijing Tiangang Auxiliary Co., Ltd.

The new facility is the centerpiece of the cooperation between Clariant and Tiangang and enhances ability to serve increasing demand from Chinese growth industries

Masterbatches

Kunststoff Werkstoffe

Additive

Stabilisatoren

Clariant Expands in China by Opening a Joint Venture Production Facility

The RadiciGroup High Performance Polymers Business Area is adding significantly to its global production capacity with new construction and installations in North America, Europe and China.

The new plant in Mexico with an area of 20,000 m2 is part of the investment strategy in North America

Compound

Thermoplaste

Compoundeure

Dienstleistungen

Handel

Kunststoff

Bauwesen

Baustoffe

Radici Increases Production Worldwide

Components in solar power stations are exposed to strong solar radiation and other severe environmental influences. These challenges can be met with the aid of self-lubricating, UV-resistant plastic compounds.

The self-lubricating EP-15 sliding bearings consist of a UV-resistant POM compound and therefore have long-term resistance to the intense solar radiation in photovoltaic plants

Self-Lubricating Polyoxymethylene Bearings for Solar Systems

Solar / PV

Energieerzeugung

Erneuerbare Energie

Polyoxymethylen

Technische Kunststoffe

Defying the Sun

Thanks to new technologies and together with other chemical derivatives the greenhouse gas CO2 can be converted into plastic precursors. Covestro is developing sustainable insulating materials for the construction sector based on this raw material.

Using innovative CO2 technology, Covestro already produces the CO2-based precursor cardyon, which is utilized in the manufacture of mattresses, sports flooring, textile fibers and components for vehicle interiors

Polyurethan-Schaumstoffe (PUR)

Halbzeuge und Zwischenprodukte

Kunststoff-Halbzeuge

Baubetrieb / Bauwirtschaft

Dämmstoffe

Schaumstoffe und Vorprodukte

Polyurethan

Using CO2 in Rigid Foam Insulation Boards

LyondellBasell starts commercial production of polymers using raw material derived from plastic waste at its Wesseling site.

The chemical company starts commercial production of polymers using raw material derived from plastic waste at Wesseling

Polymers Made from Plastic Waste

Two European projects aim to advance the research and development of bio-based plastics in the European Union (EU) and thus protect nature and the environment from global plastic waste pollution.

Two European projects aim to advance the research and development of bio-based plastics in the European Union (EU)

Technik Trend

kunststoffe-international.com

Nachhaltigkeit

Protecting Nature and Environment from Plastic Waste

With the microcellular technology, in which a foam structure is created in the polymer by environmentally friendly gases such as CO2 and N2, it is possible to reduce the packaging weight.

Eco-rPET tray produced with the new technology: lighter weight and less plastic consumption

Less Plastic for More Sustainable Packaging

For lightweight applications e. g. in automotive engineering BASF developed carbon fiber-reinforced polyphthalamide (PPA) grades with fillings of 20, 30 und 40 %.

The carbon fiber-reinforced PPA e. g. can replace aluminum and magnesium 

PPA Now with Carbon Fiber-Reinforcement

Elektronik

Automotive

Faserverbundwerkstoffe

Andere Werkstoffe

Lightweight Metal Replacement

Teknor Apex presents three halogen-free FR glass-reinforced polyamide compounds with UL94 ratings of V0.

Application example: engine cover in the automotive industry

Polyamide

Glass-Reinforced and Halogen-Free Flame-Retardant

A new HDPE grade fills the space between unimodal and bimodal HDPE grades.

HDPE grade Paxon SP5504 offers good ESCR without compromising stiffness, impact, top load performance, or processability

Polyethylen

For Blow Molded Bottles and Containers

Evonik has introduced a PEEK for FFF and FDM printers. The material was developed specifically for medical technology applications such as prostheses, surgical instruments and hearing aids.

The 3D-printable filament can be used, for example, for implants or hearing aids

Polyetherketon

Additive Fertigung

Hochleistungskunststoffe

Werkstoffe für additive Verfahren

Biocompatible and Easy to Process PEEK

Initial testing of the material at the Ineos Styrolution laboratory did not show any measurable differences to native material.

EU life project ABSolutely Circular: Indaver and Ineos Styrolution announced production of first ABS with recycled styrene

Kreislaufwirtschaft

ABS with Recycled Styrene

Hanser Verlag, Germany, launched the Plastics Library, a self-contained, English-language online library.

The Plastics Library Goes Online

Two new inorganic yellow pigments based on iron oxide and zinc oxide respectively are designed for coloration in a temperature range of between 220 and 260 °C.

The yellow pigments are used for all common polymer materials as well as for engineering thermoplastics even at the highest production temperatures

Pigmente, bunt

Farbstoffe und Pigmente

Farbstoffe

Yellow for High Temperatures

Third “Automotive Interior Survey” Conducted

Easy-to-maintain and sustainable materials add value to customers.

In November 2021 Asahi Kasei, a diversified Japanese multinational company, conducted its third „Automotive Interior Survey“ together with Cologne, Germany-based market research institute Skoos in the four major automotive markets: the USA, Germany, China and Japan. 1,000 car users of varying income levels in each market responded to questions regarding their car purchasing behavior, understanding of automotive sustainability and preferences for the automotive interior. This survey supports the importance of Asahi Kasei’s Healthy Car Portfolio to help OEMs satisfy the needs of the end user.

Whether new or used, survey respondents prefer to continue to pursue ownership in the future. Car sharing or not having a car were not attractive options. 84% of car users in China prefer to buy, finance or lease a new car, and they are willing to spend an average of 31% more on their next car. With a 7% increase compared to the costs of their current car, the overall willingness of German car users to spend more money on their next car is significantly lower compared to the USA (+19%) and Japan (+10%). In addition, over half of car users prefer to purchase a new car over a used car.

Brand Loyalty is Still a Concern for OEMs

In addition, the results regarding brand loyalty confirm the findings of our surveys from 2019 and 2020, that consumers are willing to change brands quite easily. When it comes to purchasing a new car, on average only half of the car users in Germany would choose the same brand as the current car. However, while car users in the USA and Japan saw a similar trend to Germany, there was a stark contrast in China. In the world’s biggest automotive market 72% of car owners will consider a different car brand for their next purchase. These figures convey that a significant share of car users are not loyal to a single brand and must be convinced when shopping for their next car.

Cleanliness Continues to Play a Major Role in the Interior

While fuel/power consumption, drivetrain technology, running costs and driving performance remain as dominating decision factors, the interior design has been gaining importance in recent years. One of every two car users in the four main markets will take interior design into account for their next car purchase. With growing electrification and automation, it is expected that the interior will become the main differentiating factor in upcoming years, and its importance in the car purchasing process will further increase. A key finding of the first survey from 2019 showed that car users worldwide highly value the cleanliness inside their car. Also in 2021 64% of car users in Germany put a great emphasis on the cleanliness of their car, trumping intuitive operation (38%) and personalization (46%). A similar trend was seen in China (78%), Japan (72%) and USA (62%).

Car Users See High Benefit in Easy-to-maintain Surfaces

Whether it is a dirty floor, stains and scratches on the interior surfaces, or smell, the general understanding of cleanliness differs among the regions. While car users in China are clearly annoyed by “unpleasant odors” (48%) and the so-called “new car smell” (23%), the share of car users annoyed by these factors is significantly lower in the other regions. In contrast, “scratches on visible surfaces” are bothering one of every four car users in Germany (25%). This share has further increased compared to 2020 (21%). The same can be observed in the USA, with 29% of the car users being annoyed by scratches (2020: 19%). “Stains on fabrics” are also an annoyance factor for 30% of car users in Germany (2020: 26%) and 32% in the USA (2020: 26%). A major share in all regions sees a benefit in “water and dirt repellent surfaces,” with 74% in China, 70% in the USA, 65% in Japan and 63% in Germany. “Surface and seating materials that are easy to wash” was also in high regard, especially in the USA (81%) and in China (80%). Heiko Rother, General Manager Business Development Automotive at Asahi Kasei Europe, comments, “Cleanliness was highly valued by car users even before the pandemic. The last two years have further fueled this desire, and the definition of ‘cleanliness’ has broadened.” Mike Franchy, Director of North American Mobility at Asahi Kasei America, continues, “With the cost of vehicles increasing consumers have their vehicles longer and want surfaces that are highly durable, easy to clean and continue to look new over time. In addition, our Healthy Car portfolio of anti-microbial textiles and plastics, along with technology to ensure interior air quality, we have solutions for the OEMs to address these needs of the market.”

The findings of the survey show “Sustainability” is no longer only defined by the drivetrain technology, but also by the choice of materials. For example, roughly half of the car users in Germany, China and the USA characterize a sustainable car based on “materials made from highly recyclables”. In contrast, car users in Japan prioritized hybrid drivetrains to recyclables when characterizing sustainable automobiles. This growing awareness towards sustainability in automobiles is also reflected in the car user’s willingness to spend more money on a sustainable vehicle. In China, two out of three car users would pay more, in the USA and Japan every third, and in Germany every fourth. Heiko Rother concludes, “The definition and the perception of sustainability in automobiles is changing. Car users are looking more into the materials being used – electrification alone is not enough anymore. More sustainable interior surface materials that are also good-looking, durable, easy-to-maintain and clean will get more attention from car users. In the end, a ‘long-lasting’ material quality is being recognized as more sustainable.” Mike Franchy adds, “With our extensive product line of engineered plastics from Asahi Kasei Plastics North America, textiles from Sage Automotive Interiors and UVC technology from Crystal IS for interior air purification, we can collaborate with OEMs as a trusted partner to develop the interior functions and features the consumers demand.”

Asahi Kasei Corporation  

https://www.asaha-kasei.co.jp

Third “Automotive Interior Survey” shows: Easy-to-maintain and sustainable materials add value to customers.

2022-04-19 Asahi Kasei Studie

This survey is the global continuation of the “Asahi Kasei Europe Automotive Interior Survey” from 2019. To learn more about the past surveys please visit https://automotive.asahi-kasei.eu/stories-interior-story-2019/ https://automotive.asahi-kasei.eu/interior-story.

issue 03/2022

issue 02/2022

issue 01/2022

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