Page 51 - Plastics News May 2023

Translucent Plastics Deliver More Automotive Design Freedom

Translucent polypropylene compounds from LyondellBasell reportedly overcome challenges associated with
these materials, ranging from premature yellowing and low rigidity to limited impact resistance

ranslucent plastics offer numer- to translucent applications, ranging well as high durability, for use in both
Tous new options for personalized from premature yellowing and low ri- car interior and exterior applications.”
light effects, according to resin suppli- gidity to limited impact resistance. Low coefficient of thermal expan-
er LyondellBasell. Automotive OEMs, “We are capturing the growth in Asia's sion PP compounds are also in the
especially in the electrical vehicle (EV) emerging EV market. Translucent ma- development pipeline, according to
space, are looking for eye-catching terials are a unique and important Swiggett. LyondellBasell is mindful of
light effects, which open up new op- design element in vehicle interiors sustainability issues, she added. “We
tions for automotive designers.
and exteriors,” said Joanne Swiggett, have 220 projects in our innovation
LyondellBasell, which exhibited at the vice president of Advanced Polymer pipeline focused on sustainability, rep-
recent Chinaplas 2023 event, offers Solutions APAC and AFMEI at Lyon- resenting 20% of overall projects and
a series of translucent polypropylene dellBasell. “Our Hifax and Hostacom 30% of resin volume.” LyondellBasell
(PP) compounds under the brand translucent product series allows au- targets two million tonnes of recycled
names Hifax and Hostacom. Lyondell- tomakers to create outstanding opti- or renewable-based polyolefins by
Basell’s advanced compounding tech- cal effects with good light transmis- 2030, which corresponds to approxi-
nology allows manufactures to over- sion and diffusion. These grades also mately 20% of 2022 polyethylene and
come challenges that are often linked offer good mechanical properties, as PP sales.

PLASTICS NEWS 51
May 2023