POLYPLASTICS DEVELOPS LONG CELLULOSE FIBRE REINFORCED RESIN FOR AUTOMOTIVE APPLICATIONS

KUALA LUMPUR, March 14 (Bernama) -- Polyplastics Group announced its newly developed long cellulose fibre reinforced polypropylene (PP) resin, PLASTRON (R) LFT, is being targeted for automotive applications such as door module carriers, centre consoles and armrest cores.

According to Polyplastics in a statement, PLASTRON (R) LFT offers lower density and reduced greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions than short glass-reinforced resins while delivering the same mechanical properties.

PLASTRON (R) LFT long cellulose fibre reinforced resin incorporates regenerated cellulose fibres made using the solvent method which produces hardly any waste.

Polyplastics uses a solvent method cellulose fibre that emits less GHG when manufactured compared to typical glass fibre. Since it has nearly 10 per cent lower density than glass fibre-reinforced PP resin, its GHG emissions are also even lower when compared in equal volumes.

By nature, cellulose is extraordinarily difficult to dissolve in solvents and currently, a significant majority of typical regenerated cellulose is manufactured using a complex process which involves modification of the cellulose, followed by dissolving in solvent and spinning, and finally restoring the original cellulose form.

This process results in significant emissions of GHGs, including carbon dioxide.

In comparison, the solvent method involves a closed process that recovers virtually 100 per cent of the solvent, generating minimal waste and producing materials that are even more eco-friendly.

A global leader in the development and production of engineering thermoplastics, Polyplastics has earned multiple patents throughout the world for resins reinforced with long-regenerated cellulose fibre, including solvent method cellulose fibre.

-- BERNAMA