PHOTO: Xmod™ GD301FE for pedal and front-end carriers creates a minimum 15% weight saving and 10% lower system cost compared to a polyamide (PA) solution. The high performance, high stiffness, 30% glass fibre reinforced PP offers improved processing and no pre-drying step

BOREALIS and Borouge demonstrated their support for the automotive industry’s drive to reduce vehicle weight and emissions with the very latest in lightweight material solutions when they exhibited at the VDI International Conference ‘Plastics in Automotive Engineering’ in Mannheim, Germany from 21-22 March.

Cutting-edge components and under-the-bonnet applications used by BMW and Fiat/ General Motors were showcased by Borealis and Borouge to demonstrate the added value of pioneering Xmd™ short glass fibre reinforced polypropylene (PP), Nepol™ long glass fibre reinforced PP and Daplen™ materials. Their mechanical properties, sound-dampening advantage, weight reduction potential and processing performance provide global automotive original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) and Tier One suppliers with a viable alternative to traditional, higher density engineering plastics.

Exemplary weight-saving and efficiency benefits in the spotlight included:

•       Xmod™ GD301FE for pedal and front-end carriers creates a minimum 15% weight saving and 10% lower system cost compared to a polyamide (PA) solution. The high performance, high stiffness, 30% glass fibre reinforced PP offers improved processing and no pre-drying step

•       Xmod™ WB300UB for automotive engines is a hybrid (glass fibre and mineral filled) reinforced PP chosen by Fiat for air filter housings. It meets the performance, stiffness and impact strength as well as good surface properties of a PA-based alternative at a lower cost and 16% lower weight, creating an improved sustainability profile

Borealis and Borouge also showcased a success story with Nepol™ GB215HP, a long glass fibre reinforced PP, used in the instrument panel carrier of the BMW 1, 3, 5 and 7 Series models. The use of Nepol GB215HP enabled a weight reduction of 20% compared to the previously used material as well as 20% lower system costs. It was also important for the customer that the material supported the BMW SGI integral foaming injection moulding process.

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