LyondellBasell introduces Softell Textile for automotive interior applications

LyondellBasell announced the addition of Softell Textile to its comprehensive portfolio of products for interior automotive applications.

Injection molded components made out of this new polypropylene (PP) compound display a textile-like surface finish.

"By achieving this surface quality in one production step without using other materials, Softell Textile is providing a new solution in interior automotive applications," said Erik Licht, LyondellBasell's Business Development manager for PP compounds in Europe. "The new product has the potential to replace a currently used high cost alternative that applies real fabric on polymer components to achieve the desired surface finish effect."

Softell Textile is a scratch resistant, low gloss PP compound with high impact strength and pleasant touch and feel characteristics. According to LyondellBasell, customers have started to qualify Softell Textile for upcoming models and reported that the components could now be produced more cost effective with lower reject rates compared to the use of real textile fabrics or technical polymers.

Applications include dashboards or door panels. Compared to competitive interior solutions such as painted acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS), Softell PP compounds offer additional advantages, including better processability and high quality design potential, explained LyondellBasell.

High quality surface finishes are achieved without coating or painting which improve recycling potential and offer possible cost savings through processing advantages. Due to their morphological structure, finished parts produced using Softell compounds do not form sharp edges and splinters in crash tests, even at low temperatures.