Innovations for lightweighting and additive manufacturing

Solvay will mark its presence at K 2016 by sharing the latest news about its cutting-edge, lightweighting materials, additive manufacturing technology and sustainability solutions. Exhibiting in booth C61 in Hall 6 under the banners “More Protection”, “More Freedom” and “More Future”, Solvay’s participation in the event will showcase new products, innovative customer applications, manufacturing updates and leading viewpoints on industry trends. The company will also share perspective on its strategic transformation following the recent acquisition of Cytec’s composite materials, additive stabilization solutions and specialty chemical businesses.

Accelerating advances in polymer chemistry and composites manufacturing are driving once unimaginable opportunities for lightweighting in industries from automotive to aerospace. Solvay experts will be on hand to discuss the company’s broader strategic outlook for this important trend. These range from Solvay’s high-performance polymers for metal replacement in today's down-sized, turbocharged automotive engines to its growing TegraLite (a trademark by Solvay) material technologies, which aim to reduce fuel consumption, increase efficiencies and accelerate development of cost-effective, lightweight solutions for the aeronautic industry. The company will also share further updates about the Polimotor 2 all-plastic race engine, designed and developed by industry pioneer Matti Holztberg. 

Solvay will also introduce two Technyl product offerings dedicated to the automotive market: a new series of heat performance polyamide 6.6 (PA6.6) for thermal management applications and an innovative PA6.6 range with a specified and controlled halogen content tailored to fit sensitive electrical and electronic applications.

Further insights into Solvay’s commitment to lightweighting will be shared during K 2016 thanks to a presentation by Sandra McClelland, business manager for Transportation at Solvay Specialty Polymers. Scheduled to speak on October 21 at PlasticsEurope’s booth (C40, Hall 6) during the K’s Lightweighting theme day, McClelland, who is also the chairperson for the American Chemistry Council’s Plastics Division Auto Team, will spotlight how advanced polymers are helping reduce carbon dioxide emissions by lowering vehicle weight.

Additive manufacturing solutions (i.e. 3D printing) by Solvay will also figure prominently at K 2016. In addition to advances in leveraging specialty polymers for additive manufacturing, the company will introduce new additions to its Technyl Sinterline polyamide (PA) powders line. These new products are specially designed for 3D printing applications and for development of 3D printed prototypes for small series, predictive performance simulation and functional testing.

Sustainability, another hot topic at the K Show, is a hot topic for Solvay as well. Resulting from its Move 4earth project, Solvay will launch Technyl 4earth premium recycled solutions for eco-designed applications. Move 4earth is a breakthrough recycling process able to revalue technical textile waste - initially from airbags - into high-quality PA6.6 grades with performance comparable to prime material.