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Solvay acquires LFT technology from Epic Polymers

17 Oct '15

2 min read

Solvay said it has acquired long fibre thermoplastics (LFT) technology from Germany based Epic Polymers.

“This deal will help complement our offering of high performance light weighting materials and gain access to metal replacement of larger automotive semi-structural parts,” a press release from Solvay informed.

According to Solvay, Epic Polymers has developed an innovative technology to reinforce high performance thermoplastic polymers with long glass fibres.

“Demand-led growth for these materials offering superior properties, coupled with high impact resistance, and stiffness at high temperatures, is driven by the need to reduce fuel consumption and CO2 emissions,” it added.

“Having this technology is an important step in the expansion of our specialty polymers' offering that are simultaneously light and ultra-performing,” Augusto Donfrancesco, president of Solvay's Specialty Polymers business said.

“We will be able to provide larger semi-structural parts for the automotive sector and develop expertise to apply LFT technology to core polymers including KetaSpire Peek and AvaSpire Paek,” he added.

“This will help us in providing further possibilities for metal replacement in other markets such as transportation,” Donfrancesco noted.

Solvay specialty polymers' products replace metal in components such as hot air ducts, powertrains, engine control units, oil and water modules and conduits.

In addition to Peek and Paek polymers, the LFT technology will be applied to its Amodel PPA and Ryton PPS portfolio of products and Technyl polyamide 6.6 or PA6.6 range.

Solvay Specialty Polymers manufactures over 1,500 products across 35 brands of high-performance polymers.

These include fluoropolymers, fluoroelastomers, fluorinated fluids, semi-aromatic polyamides, sulfone polymers, aromatic ultra-high performance polymers, high-barrier polymers, etc.

They find applications in aerospace, alternative energy, automotive, healthcare, membranes, oil and gas, packaging, plumbing, semiconductors, wire, cable and other industries. (AR)

Fibre2Fashion News Desk – India