Developments and achievements in innovation and sustainability

With Radici Novacips the plastics division of RadiciGroup focuses attention on its most recent developments and achievements in innovation and sustainability. These were the central topics during the group’s press conference on 7 May at its stand at Plast 2015 in talks by Erico Spini and Cesare Clausi, respectively marketing and application development director and business manager Europe of RadiciGroup Plastics. The group is now <st1:country-region w:st="on">Italy</st1:country-region>’s third chemical enterprise in terms of revenues, with the plastics division contributing approximately one quarter of the total.

As regards innovation, attention was concentrated on the Radilon specialties with improved heat resistance - from the traditional HHR to the new Radilon XTreme - on special PA 6 and PA 6.6-based materials with long Radistrong fibres, and on the polyamides 6.10 and 6.12 Radilon D and Radilon DT. Space was also dedicated to the Radiflam range, self-extinguishing products based on PA 6, PA 6.6 and PBT for injection and extrusion moulding. Particular emphasis was also placed on the new Radiflam grade ARV250 HF 3003 BK, specifically developed for applications in the solar technologies sector. With its self-extinguishing engineered polymers based on PA 6, PA 6.6 and PBT, RadiciGroup is able to respond optimally to requests from converters, particularly those working in the electrical supplies market. The Radiflam range includes material families that combine self-extinguishing properties with excellent electrical and mechanical characteristics. The range of materials that are free of halogens and red phosphorus is particularly interesting. Available in a broad range of colours, these engineered polymers ensure quality, high performance and safety.

“During this year’s PLAST we will continue to focus our attention on our Radilon and Radistrong specialties. But that’s not all. We are also introducing Radiflam ARV250 HF 3003 BK, the new addition to the range of self-extinguishing products free of halogens and red phosphorus, which are principally used for the electrical supplies market. This new article, classified UL 94 V0, has been developed for applications in solar power systems, specifically for the structure and surface layer of photovoltaic inverters, which convert direct current into alternating current. Among the performance specifications of Radiflam ARV250 HF 3003 BK, we may mention, in addition to the specific flame resistance, its good mechanical characteristics and its high resistance to UV radiation, atmospheric agents and heat/humidity cycles. Furthermore, thanks to its specific formulation, this new material of ours ensures excellent protection for the electronic components of the inverter, enhancing their reliability and safety”, stated Erico Spini.

On the question of sustainability, RadiciGroup’s commitment is characterized by concrete actions. This commitment now sees Radici Novacips, lead unit in the RadiciGroup plastics division, taking another major step: after having obtained certification for its Environmental Product Declaration (EPD) management system in June 2014, and prepared the EPD for Radion A and S (engineered polymers based on PA 6 and 6.6), it is now preparing to publish two EPDs: one for low-environmental-impact Heramid post-industrial engineered polymers and the other for the recovery service of these same products.

“Commitment, consistency, and the scientific approach which has long characterized or work on sustainability are proving to be rewarding. Now, with the development of the environmental declaration of our Heramid products and the recovery service that underlies their production, we have added another piece to the mosaic that represents our main objective: providing our clients not only with scientific information on the environmental impact of our products, real data that can be verified, but also multiple solutions that allow for true eco-design of materials. And this eco-design - let us not forget - is closely linked to product performance. We intend to continue extensively applying the environmental impact assessment because we believe it is a fundamental instrument underlying truly sustainable product innovation”, added Cesare Clausi.