Belgium's Solvay signs long-term supply agreement with Zotefoams

“This agreement marks the starting point of a collaborative partnership towards supply security, quality and innovation,” said Marc Doyle, executive vice president for aerospace & defense of Solvay Materials Business. “It opens exciting new perspectives for weight reduction as well as noise and vibration management for interior components thanks to Solef PVDF, extending the reach of our polymers into yet another demanding market segment. We are excited to partner with Zotefoams in helping the aircraft industry achieve its ambitious environmental and sustainability targets.”

Solef PVDF is inherently flame retardant and combines a high degree of purity with robust mechanical properties, electrochemical stability and broad chemical resistance at high temperatures. The specialty polymer already has a history of proven success in various markets including fast growing lithium-ion batteries for Automotive. Formed to deliver lightweight closed cell cross-linked foams, it can provide weight savings of up to 70 per cent in aircraft interiors while meeting the strictest aerospace standards, the company said in a press release.

“PVDF foam is the ideal material for a multitude of applications in air- and spacecraft interiors and we are delighted that this agreement gives security of supply for our customers in unpredictable times," said James Bridges, director of high-performance products at Zotefoams. "As the commercial aviation sector strives to meet stringent carbon reduction targets, the lightweighting capabilities of ZOTEK F are more in demand than ever, so the announcement of our partnership with Solvay could not be more timely. We look forward to working together to explore new horizons with cellular materials based on Solef PVDF.”

Fibre2Fashion News Desk (RR)