Düsseldorf, Germany — French specialty chemicals and advanced materials giant Arkema SA showcased a range of products for transportation, consumer goods, sports, industry and construction segments at K 2019 in Düsseldorf.
With a focus on sustainability, the Paris-based company said it displayed innovative and environmentally sound solutions during the world's biggest plastics and rubber trade fair.
Arkema's functional polyolefins business presented a new grade, Orevac 18603, designed for polyesters and flexible blister film, the company said in a news release.
A new range of binder resins made from phthalate-free polypropylene was launched with the aim of removing this substance from food packaging.
The group's photocure resins business, Sartomer, also launched high-performance Sarbio liquid resins, derived from renewable raw materials.
"They offer a sustainable approach to the development of consumer goods and impart high-performance plastic coatings to components used in smartphones, television sets, cosmetics packaging, household appliances, etc.," the French company added.
The product range accommodates thermal curing as well as UV-curing for high output yield and improves the performance of UV-, LED-, EB- and thermal-cured materials for 3D printing, rubber compounds, plastic coatings and packaging inks, according to Arkema.
"The K show is the world's stage for the plastics and rubber industry, and we are excited to share our latest technologies for advanced curing systems," said Liza Marasinghe, technical manager for Sartomer.
Among Sartomer materials on display are N3xtDimension engineered liquid resins for 3D printing.
The product range for UV-curable 3D printing delivers exceptional freedom of performance design, according to Arkema.
At its booth, Arkema unveiled a real-sized 3D printed woman soccer player, made by N3xtDimension.
Saret rubber co-agents were presented as high-performance reactive functional additives, capable of reacting with peroxide and sulfur vulcanized systems that enhance processing and improve performance properties.
The materials are ideal for automotive and housing device parts such as cables, belts, hoses and sealing systems.
With increasing pressure on the automotive industry for lower emissions, Arkema is presenting its lightweight solutions for the industry, which, in addition to fuel saving, have the added feature of being environmentally sound.
The company's flagship Rilsan biosourced nylon 11 range was back on display at K, boasting features such as resistance to high temperatures, chemical stability and durability in demanding applications.
The product, which is used primarily in under-the-hood applications, has been billed a suitable alternative to metal and rubber.
Altuglas acrylic resins will also were presented for technological developments, such as electrification, automation and connectivity. The products, according to Arkema, are ideal for automotive lighting as well as interior and exterior design.
In the automotive sector, Arkema will also highlight its partnership in the Pan-European MMAtwo project, which aims to convert end-of-life and post-industrial PMMA waste into top quality raw materials.
This four-year European project comprises 13 partners from six different countries representing all the stages of the PMMA value chain.
Also addressing the growing demand for new mobility, Arkema presented Kynar PVDF, a fluorinated polymer, highly resistant to high voltage and to electrolyte solvent — features that enhance battery energy efficiency.
Alongside its famous brands such as Rilsan, Kynar and N3xtDimension, Arkema also markets Kepstan PEKK (polyetherketoneketone) resins, which are among the most high-performance resins, for 3D printing.
In addition to lending itself to 3D printing, Kepstan range of materials can also be extruded, powder coated, injection molded, rotationally molded or impregnated in unidirectional composite tape fibers.
The polymer, according to Arkema, offers a "remarkable combination of mechanical strength and thermal resistance at very high temperature, with high dielectric rigidity and good insulating properties."
Arkema will also plugged its bioplastics Rilsan for the consumer goods segment, where it can be used in the production of objects, such as eyeglasses and smartphones.
Rilsan Clear is claimed to be one of the very few polymers to combine chemical and impact resistance with light weight, soft touch, transparency, deep color effect and gloss.
The product, Arkema claims, is 20 percent lighter than polycarbonate and 40 percent lighter than aluminum, making it ideal for tablet and smartphone shells and frames.
In sports, the French materials specialist presented its Pebax Rnew, the first biosourced thermoplastic elastomer, which will be used for athletic shoes.