Friedrichshafen, Germany — Solvay SA has launched several new specialty resin grades and added a compounding line in Mexico.
The Brussels-based materials maker was spotlighting two grades of its Ixef-brand polyarylamide (PARA) resin at Fakuma in Friedrichshafen. The first is a super-stiff grade reinforced by carbon fiber and glass fiber. It's finding a home in high-end auto parts, as well as in digital cameras, Tom Wood, specialty polymers executive vice president, said at Fakuma.
The other new Ixef grade is a 50 percent glass fiber material that can be colored orange to be used in signal applications, such as high-voltage areas of electric vehicles. The material is easily colorable, Wood said.
Solvay also has added thermal management options for its Ryton-brand PPS and Amodel-brand PPA, primarily for auto applications.
"The share per car for our materials is increasing, as suppliers look for higher temperature, lower weight and higher performance," Wood said. "Since we make both PPS and PPA, we can use either one, based on which material best fits the application."
He added that Solvay has increased Ryton production in Borger, Texas, since acquiring the business from Chevron Phillips Chemical in 2014.
The new compounding line is making compounds based on Solvay's Technyl-brand nylon resins at a location in San Luis Potosí, Mexico. It opened in July and has annual production capacity of around 22 million pounds.
The line is located near a plant operated by Chunil Engineering, a longtime automotive customer of Solvay. Solvay's has a pending deal to sell its nylon business to BASF SE.
New grades of Technyl were in focus at Fakuma. Technyl Red S is a high-temperature nylon 6/6/6 used in air coolers and air ducts in turbocharged auto systems. The materials can boost engine performance, engineering plastics director Gerald Durski said at Fakuma.
Technyl Blue is a blend of nylon 6/6 and 6/10 that's used in engine cooling systems. Durski said the new materials offer higher performance in tensile strength, as well as good glycol resistance.