DuPont Co. led a parade of materials firms with new products at Fakuma 2014.
At the show, DuPont emphasized new products that offer lightweighting, performance and sustainability. The Wilmington, Del.-based plastics and chemicals giant is highlighting Zytel-brand renewably sourced long-chain nylon in a rigid pneumatic tubing part made by Swedish manufacturer Munkplast. Other DuPont products and parts will include flexible and rigid auto coolant pipes made from Zytel 6/12 nylon and glass-reinforced Zytel nylon 6/6.
Halogen-free Zytel grades provide enhanced long-term heat aging in the electrical and electronic sector, while recently introduced halogen-free grades of Rynite-brand PET for that same sector offer similar heat aging while adding flame resistance.
Other materials firms that introduced new products at Fakuma included:
• Nynas AB — a Swedish specialty oil supplier that has increased its ability to supply oil-based naphthenic plasticizers.
Stockholm-based Nynas took over operation of the Harburg oil refinery in Hamburg, Germany, in January. The site will have total specialty oil capacity of almost 350,000 metric tons — an increase of 40 percent for Nynas. Materials made at the plant will continue to be marketed and sold by Nyas AB.
In PVC, naphthenic plasticizers are used as performance additives, improving tensile strength and thermal stability while lowering total formulation costs.
• Hexpol AB of Malmo, Sweden, which through its Muller Kunststoffe unit will feature new Lifoflex FLAM-brand flame-retardant thermoplastic olefins (TPOs).
These compounds contain no halogens or antimony oxide, and as a result won't produce corrosive or toxic gases in case of fire. The 700 series of the materials has been designed for railway vehicle applications such as profiles, connectors and electrical insulation.
The Elasto unit of Hexpol will be focusing on medical TPE compounds sold as part of its Mediprene line. The compounds can be sterilized and are latex-free. The materials are seeing growing demand in catheters, tubing and syringe plunger seals.
Elasto's Dryflex TPE compounds are being used in extrusion profiles for the building and construction market. The unit's Dryflex WS hydrophilic TPEs are finding a home in water stop applications in many construction projects.
• Huntsman Corp. will be there with a wide range of TPU materials sold under its Irogran trade name.
The lineup from Huntsman, based in The Woodlands, Texas, also will include Avalon AHT-brand transparent TPU, with excellent UV resistance and high mechanical properties. The material is being used in wristbands, watch straps and protective covers for phones and tablet computers.
Irogran grades at the show will cover uses ranging from overmolded parts to automotive seals to car seat laminating applications.
• So.f.ter SpA of Forli, Italy, which is commercializing a new TPE suitable for contact with drinking water. The material will be sold under the firm's Laprene trade name and is plasticizer-free, as well as having high transparency and flexibility. The new product also provides antibacterial protection.
This new Laprene TPE can be used to make flexible tubing for dishwashers or water dispensers in the faucet and plumbing market. It's also suitable for adhesion on polypropylene.
