solvay_live243_p02a04 somEdito

105141
TPO SUBSTRATES FOR PAINT-FILM COATING IN
THICK-SHEET THERMOFORMED BUMPER FASCIAS
A REVOLUTION
IN AUTOMOBILE
CONSTRUCTION
This innovation got off the ground with
a challenge set by General Motors
to its supplier community. The carmaker had
the intention of replacing its painting
technologies by opting for a paint-film
coating of the thermoformed accessories
of its models (panels, running boards and even
bumpers). This on the condition that no
concessions were made in terms of the
appearance of the vehicles and that there was
a certainty that the environmental ambitions
were respected. The SBU Specialty Polymers
took up the challenge and developed
a thermoplastic polyolefin capable of meeting
the strict demands for rigidity, stability,
resistance to harsh climatic conditions as well
as the aesthetic demand for a sufficiently
regular surface (after extrusion, lamination
and thermoforming) so as not to reduce the
brilliance and clarity of the end product.
To achieve this, the team engaged the services
of a consultant specialising in thermoforming
and joined forces with four partners: Meridian,
Profile Plastics, Soliant and Southtech Plastics.
The outcome is a success: the product was
granted the classification “A”, the best for dry
colour films and the development of other
applications is underway. The SBU, which has
seen a leap in its profit margin, has thus
positioned itself as a first choice supplier,
an exclusive source of supply for GM who,
thanks to this product, was able to respect
its development program.
> Eric Short; Craig Abernethy; Bruce Denison;
Chris Doan; Charlie Gonzalez; Andy Johnston;
Greg Smith; Kip Swain.
> SBU SPECIALTY POLYMERS
105193
DEVELOP A PCC WITH ENFORCED RHEOLOGY
CONTROL AT LOW AND HIGH SHEAR RATES
IN AUTOMOTIVE PLASTISOL FORMULATIONS
(UNDER BODY COATINGS)
THE CLIENT ASKS, SOLVAY
INNOVATES AND RESPONDS
It all started back in 2002 when one of our
American clients asked us whether it was
possible to come up with a PCC (precipitated
calcium carbonate) with greater thixotropic
behaviour for its PVC plastisols (capacity
of being very liquid under pressure for the
application and to congeal on the surface so
as not to “drip”). The client provided us with
information about the competitive products
(benchmarks): the Solvay portfolio did not
contain a satisfactory product. The SBU AFM
therefore developed a new family of products
tested in the laboratory. This family is based
on an innovative use of coating technology
and represents a significant progress in
thixotropic control. Furthermore, these
products and the related technologies are the
subject of a patent application. Our client was
able to confirm the remarkable properties
of these PCC for its application and the final
candidate was selected and validated.
A detailed study proved that an investment in
a pilot production line with a capacity of 1 000
tonnes/year would pay for itself. This line has
already entered production. The construction
of a production line at industrial scale is
currently being studied. It is expected to be up
and running in 2007. The SBU AFM hopes to
launch sales in 2006 and these sales should
reach levels of over 4000 tonnes/year
in 2007-2008.
> Mark-Magnus Schulz; Mike Ball; Lucile Branche;
Sébastien Caspard; Karine Cavalier; Dominique Debecker;
Maik Diederich; Wolfgang Dilla; Marie-Laure Dubois;
Gaetano Francese; Jean-Paul Guerre; Christophe Guiton;
Christophe Lemasson; Stéphane Lepercq; François Monnet;
Cédric Raboteau; Rasik Raythatha; Roberto Rosa;
Jean-Paul Schoebrechts; Didier Sy.
> SBU AFM
Customer oriented projects
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