Nov 8 2004
A new production unit in Shanghai and several new product launches were among the new developments unveiled by Rhodia Polyamide at the recent K2004 international engineering plastics trade fair in Düsseldorf.
Construction of a new engineering plastics production unit in China
The new facility will produce the full range of Rhodia’s Technyl® PA6, 66 and 66/6 polyamides in addition to the Technyl Star™ and Technyl® Alloy ranges and other thermoplastics. It will enable the Group to substantially reinforce its positions in Asia and, in particular, China.
Designed to anticipate the production requirements of the Chinese polyamides market, projected to grow more than 20% per year, the new factory will ultimately manufacture 40,000 metric tons when fully operational enabling Rhodia to extend its leadership in the engineering plastics market. The new unit is based at Rhodia’s existing site in Shanghai, which includes a major Research & Development center and sales teams.
New product launches
The new products launched by the Engineering Plastics business during the K2004 trade fair underscore Rhodia’s ability to develop innovative solutions designed to satisfy the specific needs expressed by its customers. These solutions include:
- The new Technyl® solution, the first polyamide that allows manufacturers to produce parts for car bodies and to paint them directly on-line using the e-coat process, the new Technyl® solution offers a major advantage over other widely used thermoplastic materials and responds to the continuing efforts by automotive market players seeking greater competitive advantage.
- Technyl® Force, a new long-fiber engineering plastic, based on the unique high fluidity technology of Technyl Star™ and particularly well-suited to satisfying energy absorption requirements in the event of an impact on the front body panels. This new product range makes it possible to optimize design and reduce the weight of structural parts without compromising their performance.
- Further innovative developments of Technyl Star™, designed to offer a high level of acoustic insulation, enable car designers to eliminate the use of expensive acoustic components such as foam or high-density films, while simultaneously improving the acoustic performance of their systems. These solutions open the way for significant cost savings, improved recycling potential by eliminating multi-material solutions, and greater design freedom.
- Technyl® SI, a new polyamide offering increased stiffness and an unrivaled resistance to impact up to 20% greater than other listed products available in the market. These materials have been designed to create new opportunities for polyamide in applications such as machine components, power tools, sports equipment, and others.
For more information on polyamide/nylon, click here.