Given that e-mobility is a fast-growing trend, automotive played a massive role at K 2022. Plastic material producers had their innovations on display, showing how they help fulfill the industry needs.

With the European premier of its newest concept car AKXY2 at K 2022, Asahi Kasei showed its cross-divisional expertise throughout the entire value chain, from raw materials and production technologies to the usage of recycled and recyclable materials.

All windows are made of outsourced hard-coated polycarbonate through a manufacturing method developed by Asahi Kasei in 2002 that uses CO2 as a raw material for its production.

The interior surfaces are covered by Dinamica, a premium microfiber resembling suede partially made of recycled polyester. The interior also features light technology, using semi-transparent and backlit fabrics made of PET, but also ultra-thin plastic-optical fibers woven into different surfaces.

DuPont Mobility & Materials presented its new eCool technology for extrusion of multilayer cooling lines positioned inside and outside the high voltage battery pack in xEV.

The eCool technology is based on the DuPont's Zytel LCPA Long Chain Polyamide grades co-extruded with thermoplastic olefin elastomer, presenting an alternative to current, heavier options such as thick EPDM rubber hoses and other thermoplastic assemblies.

Also, the company introduced a combined material-process-service solution for overmolding bus bars with Zytel HTN material and new Crastin PBT high laser transmission solutions that enable automotive component manufacturers to speed the production and improve the performance of connectors, sensors, ADAS systems, and other sensitive electrical components.

LANXESS' High Performance Materials business unit focuses on sustainable material and lightweight solutions. Main areas are materials and component concepts for consistent lightweight construction in the future market of electromobility.

Examples included a high voltage connector HVAC MALE cable connector made from DURETHAN BKV30FN04 PA6. It is a high-voltage connector of up to 800 Volt / 180 Ampere at 85 °C, featuring non-halogen FR package (UL 94 V-0 at 0.75 mm), high electric strength and stiffness.

Some of the other automotive applications highlighted the efficiency of flame retardant materials. For instance, Tepex dynalite 102, Durethan BKV30H3.0, and Durethan BKV30FN04.

Ascend’s dedicated e-mobility team, which was founded in 2018, has been providing the e-mobility market with high-performance solutions focused on safe power infrastructure, a secure and comfortable ride, and reliable thermal management.

The e-range that the company presented at K 2022 focuses on three material series, including Starflam, HiDura and Vydyne.

Specifically, Starflam flame-retardant products allow safe power infrastructure to handle higher charging and driving voltages; HiDura materials enable reliable thermal management to handle heat challenges in EVs; and the Vydyne AVS grades offer structural support while reducing noise, vibration and harshness.  

Applications on display included EV connectors, engine control module, and transmission cover.