Sika Advanced Resins will unveil Ullit’s new composite tank for trucks that run on compressed natural gas (CNG) at JEC World 2019, Paris, running from March 12-14. Together with its tailor-made epoxy system designed by Sika, who is a leader in the development and production of high-performance resins, the tank helps to reduce pollution in urban traffic.

The tank, which contains up to 320 litres, is the same size as a conventional diesel fuel tank. Sika has used its expertise to develop a tailor-made resin to withstand the cyclic pressurisation loads on the filament-wound tanks, according to a media statement by Sika. In combination with carbon fibre the resin provides mechanical resistance for different tank shapes including those for vehicles running on natural gas.

A recent study shows that the use of vehicles running on natural gas rather than diesel or gasoline helps considerably to reduce pollution. For CNG engines the study indicates a 75-90 per cent decrease in fine particles and nitrogen oxides. CO2 emissions are 7-16 per cent lower which reduces the noise of an engine by 50 per cent. Resin innovation by Sika combined to Ullit’s high-pressure tank is supporting this environmental approach.

“The tank is placed in the same place as a diesel fuel tank and avoids the need for transformations in trucks. In addition Ullit-Sika composites reduce the weight of the tank by a factor of four, a huge benefit when we estimate that one ton saved on a truck saves four litres of fuel per 100 kilometres in urban traffic,” said Patrick Noirclerc, local expert composites at Sika Advanced Resins.

“We have been innovating together for more than 10 years! Sika Advanced Resins has developed a specific resin for our new range of high-pressure tanks. This high-performance resin can be adapted to all design constraints, particularly for our very high-pressure hydrogen tanks, up to 700 bar,” said Ullit founder and CEO Claude Hembert.

“Our business unit increases its know-how in the formulation of high-performance epoxy and polyurethane resins. We provide adapted solutions for the specific needs of our customers. With our 11 entities and 6 R&D technical centres worldwide, we develop customised solutions to meet the needs of our industrial customers. We support them at every stage of their products development to bring innovative solutions,” said Patrick Blosse, international sales director at Sika Advanced Resins. (PC)