The central issue in all polyurethane applications is the conversion from the past linear economy into a circular economy, and the use of sustainable raw materials in manufacturing. To do so, manufacturers are taking measures such as using bio-based raw materials, chemical recycling, and CO2 as a synthesis component. Digitalization, electromobility, autonomous driving and the construction industry are also driving PU development.

Insulation boards and metal composite elements are the primary applications for PU in the construction industry. Since buildings are  responsible for 40 % of global energy consumption, more efficient materials in this area can generate big savings, such as through improved insulations

Polyurethane (PU)

Bauwesen

Bauchemie

Baustoffe

Automotive

Elektronik

Polyurethan-Schaumstoffe (PUR)

Halbzeuge und Zwischenprodukte

Kunststoff-Halbzeuge

Baubetrieb / Bauwirtschaft

Kunststoff Werkstoffe

Polyurethan

Windkraft

Energieerzeugung

Erneuerbare Energie

Kunststoff

Kunststoff-Recycling

Kunststoffverarbeitung: Verfahren

Kunststoff-Aufbereitung

Sustainable Growth

Leonhard Kurz’s “Iconic Space Grille”, does not only illustrates modern vehicle design but was also produced in a new production process.

The Iconic Space Grill can be adapted to the design of electric vehicles. With different lighting, it enables communication with other road users and an individual design according to the request of the user

16:9

Award-Winning Front Panel Combines Exciting Design with an Efficient  Manufacturing Process

Polycarbonat

Thermoplaste

An Eye-Catching Addition  to Electric Vehicles

For a long time, chemical recycling was considered an unfinished addition to established material processes. In the meantime, however, some technologies are making the leap into large-scale industrial use: an overview of the various processes and providers.

Overview of the Various Processes and Suppliers

Recycling

Umweltmanagement

Polypropylen

What Is Happening in Chemical Recycling?

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

Dämmstoffe

Schaumstoffe und Vorprodukte

Using CO2 in Rigid Foam Insulation Boards

The process chain of the direct coating process has now been optimized. Self-healing, fast-curing PU casting coatings and polycarbonate compounds are now available for this manufacturing process.

The DC process makes it easier and faster to produce sophisticated-looking components with integrated sensors and light elements

Direct Coating with Polyurethane Coatings Creates Opportunities in Design and Functionality

Oberflächentechnik

Short Cycle Times and High Productivity for Smart Components

Aimplas participates in European Space Agency project to develop new materials under microgravity conditions in the Earth’s orbit.

View of the northern region of the Earth.

Unternehmen

kunststoffe.de

Aimplas Supports ESA Project

The Swiss EMS Group achieves the second highest profit in the company‘s history in fiscal year 2022. The outlook for 2023 nevertheless remains cautious.

EMS Group successfully closes fiscal year 2022.

Kunststoffe

Photonik

Optik

EMS Group: Net Sales at Record Level

Due to its high-performing properties polyetheretherketone thermoplastic polymer is being used more and more frequently in many products.

PEEK can replace fluoropolymers in cryogenic applications. Advanced Engineering Valves uses PEEK from Victrex for sealings in ball valves

Polyetheretherketone (PEEK)

Elektronik-Fertigung

Polyetherketon

Mikroelektronik

Medizintechnik

Hochleistungskunststoffe

Medizinprodukte

Delivering Efficiency Even in  Harsh Environments

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

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

Technische Kunststoffe

Glass-Reinforced and Halogen-Free Flame-Retardant

Thermosets are being increasingly used for packaging electronic devices, and offer good properties for this application. Direct overmolding of the components is particularly interesting here. However, achieving a successful product requires striking a balance between processability, thermal conductivity and reproducibility.

In direct packaging,  the electronic devices or components are directly overmolded with the molding compound 

Thermoset Injection Molding of Packages for Electronic Devices

Spritzgießen

Duroplastische Werkstoffe

Duroplaste

Duroplast-Spritzgießen

Direct Packaging of Components

Susanne Schröder will become editor-in-chief of the magazines Kunststoffe and Kunststoffe international on December 1, 2020. The current editor-in-chief Dr. Karlhorst Klotz will leave the company by mutual agreement.

Susanne Schröder will become editor-in-chief of the magazines Kunststoffe and Kunststoffe international on December 1, 2020. Until now she has been editor-in-chief of the trade journal FORM+Werkzeug

Werkzeuge für Leichtbauwerkstoffe

Präzisionswerkzeuge

Tiefziehwerkzeug

Dienstleistungen

Werkzeug-, Formen- und Modellbau

Werkzeugüberwachung

Toolmanagement

Werkzeugwechselsysteme, Spritzgieß

Kunststoffverarbeitung: Maschinen und Komponenten

Werkzeuge für die Kunststoffverarbeitung

Spritzgießwerkzeuge

Werkzeug- und Formenbau

Modulare Werkzeugsysteme

Absaugungen für Werkzeugmaschinen

Betriebsausrüstung / Betriebsmittel

Absaugvorrichtungen

Fluorkunststoffe

Werkzeugverwaltungssoftware

Prüfen von Kunststoffen

Messtechnik

Biokunststoffe

Presswerkzeuge, Kunststoff

Werkzeugreinigung, Kunststoffe

Standardkunststoffe

Kunststoffverarbeitung

Lohnfertigung

Füllstoffe für Kunststoffe

Kunststoffhandel

Handel

Betriebstechnik für Kunststoffverarbeitung (Peripherie)

Kunststofffasern

Verstärkungsstoffe

Qualitätssicherung Kunststoff

Qualitätssicherung

Change in the Chief Editorial Office of Kunststoffe

The non fossil fuel-based portfolio offers same high quality and performance for applications in all industries.

The Bornewables portfolio is suitable for the production of the most demanding applications, including hygiene and food-contact

Gehäuse aus Kunststoff

Elektromechanik

Kühlkörper

Polyethylen

Polystyrol

Kunststoff-Regenerate

Borealis Launches Portfolio of Circular Polyolefins

The Danish company Plastix recycles old fishing nets and ropes. The granules produced are used by JSP International, among others, to manufacture expanded polypropylene (EPP).

11 % of the plastic waste in the sea comes from the maritime industry. For the recycling of old fishing nets and ropes, accurate sorting is very important

Expanded Polypropylene from Maritime Plastic Waste

Schaumstoffe

Polypropylen-Compound

Kunststoff-Rezyklat

From Fishing Net to Particle Foam

Styrenics can be polymerized using different technologies and it can be modified with a range of copolymers. The resulting plastics offer a wide range of properties allowing to customize them for different applications. Because of this range of properties they are suitable for many industries. Strong demand is for example driven by the automotive industry, healthcare and the packaging industry.

Styrene copolymers are frequently used in the exterior of vehicles. The Chinese manufacturer Lixiang, for example, uses an ASA for the radiator grill of its electric vehicles

Styrenic Polymers

Verpackungsmaterial

Logistik

Styrol-Copolymerisate

Diverse Shapes and Applications

The new mobile communications standard 5G is advancing steadily. This development is also increasing the demand for materials that facilitate and ensure the high transmission rates for 5G signals. Plastics manufacturer Covestro has presented a corresponding thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU).

According to the company, the so-called Desmopan 7000 material exhibits high transparency for 5G frequencies, thus reducing signal losses.

In comparison to the previous 4G standard, 5G technology enables higher network speeds, shorter data runtimes (latency), lower power consumption and more stable connections. In order for users to reap the full benefits, devices must be equipped with cases that transmit signals with as little interference. This is especially true for the thin protective covers of smartphones. In this application, the low dielectric constant and low dielectric loss of the new TPU series prove to be very beneficial, as possible as stated in a press release.

In addition, products of the series are also known for their inherent shock- and vibration-absorbing properties, which are typical of TPU plastics. They also feature superior abrasion resistance and flexibility over a wide temperature range, as well as good elasticity across the entire hardness range. Cell phones that are equipped with them are therefore also well protected against mechanical impact. The TPU adheres well to other plastics such as polycarbonate or acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS).

Covers for cell phones must not only protect the devices from shocks, but also allow mobile signals to pass through without interference

2021-08-31 Produkt_Covestro

issue 02/2023

issue 01/2023

issue 09/2022

About the journal

About the Journal

Contact

Media Data

Subscriptions

Subscription Offers

Subscription Cancellation

My Login

Imprint

Terms & Conditions

Terms and Conditions

Privacy Policy

News

Mobility

Packaging

Medical

Electrical/Electronics

Plastics Recycling

Lightweight Construction

Applications

Standard Thermoplastics

Engineering Plastics

High-Performance Plastics

Elastomers

Thermosets

Additives/Masterbatches

Bioplastics

Composites

Materials

Injection Molding

Extrusion

Additive Manufacturing

Further Processing Methods

Compounding

Composite Processing

Peripheral Equipment

Simulation

Processing

Research & Development

Dissertations

Patents

Journal of Plastics Technology

HANSER

Career at HANSER

Publisher

FORM+Werkzeug

HANSER automotive

More Technical Portals