Borealis receives two European Plastics Innovation Awards for Energy and Automotive projects
New Surfaces for Plastic Parts Award and BMW 3 Seriesbumper
© Plastics Europe
Borealis, a leading provider of innovative solutions in the fields of polyolefins, base chemicals and fertilizers, has received two European Plastics Innovation Awards:
- The New Surfaces for Plastic Parts Award for the Daplen™ EE112AE lightweight primerless paintable thermoplastic olefin (TPO) compound
- The Best Lightweight Innovation Award for their cooperation with film manufacturer, Treofan, in creating the thinnest polypropylene capacitor film yet.
In 2015, European Plastics Converters (EuPC), PlasticsEurope and the Society of Plastics Engineers (SPE) launched their European Innovation Awards competition to acknowledge the work of companies in the plastics industry value chain that have developed a new idea, method, product or technology that responds to a societal need while respecting the three Ps of Sustainability (People, Planet, Profit). The awards were presented on Monday, January 25 in Brussels, Belgium.
Surface solutions for exterior automotive applications
The automotive industry has an increasing need for greater economy and efficiency in automotive exterior applications by reducing cycle time and system costs, while still meeting high production standards. Primerless painting systems can help achieve these parameters by eliminating a step in the production process. The New Surfaces for Plastic Parts Award was presented to Borealis for the primerless paint grade Daplen EE112AE, a 12% mineral-filled elastomer modified polypropylene (PP) compound, which was developed in close partnership with BMW for use in its top vehicle range and fulfils BMW's stringent paint adhesion quality requirements for primerless paint systems. It provides easy processability for low production scrap rate and reduced density with good impact/stiffness balance enabling the weight reduction of parts. This material was used in the BMW 7 front bumper and tailgate cladding.
Successful cooperation in developing thinnest capacitor films
For the Best Lightweight Innovation Award, Borealis was recognised together with Treofan, a global leader in biaxially oriented polypropylene (BOPP) films, for their cooperation in creating the thinnest polypropylene capacitor film, down to 1.9 µm. This film was made with Borclean™ HC310BF, a high crystallinity, super pure homo-polypropylene with a novel molecular design that enables the production of ultra-thin, metallisable dielectrical film for dry capacitors with increased thermal stability.
Polypropylene capacitor films are used in the production of dry, metalized capacitors for a variety of applications, but specifically in automotive applications for hybrid and electric motor systems, there is a need for high thermal stability and low volume in order to save space and reduce costs for the cooling systems. Thus, extremely thin films with a high level of thermal and electrical resistance are needed.
Treofan is developing these ultra-thin capacitor films with a high level of thickness homogeneity, electrical field stressability, low energy losses and very good mechanical characteristics using the Borealis Borclean super pure, high isotactic polypropylene homopolymer with a novel polymer design. The thinness of the film enables the capacitor producer to develop much smaller systems with the same electrical capacity. Treofan and Borealis are planning to further improve these films by further reducing thickness to increase volume efficiency, thermal resistance and voltage levels.
Fostering a culture of innovation
"We are very proud to receive these awards for projects in two of our application areas," comments Maurits van Tol, Borealis Vice President Innovation and Technology. "This is a result of hard work and determination within our company but also of strong cooperation with our partners in the value chain, further emphasizing our Value Creation through Innovation strategy and our commitment to sustainable plastic solutions. We look forward to continuing and enhancing these partnerships for more innovations to come."
