MOSCOW (MRC) -- Borealis, a leading provider of innovative solutions in the fields of polyolefins, base chemicals and fertilizers, has received two European Plastics Innovation Awards, said the producer in its press release.
Thus, they are:
- 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 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.
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.
As MRC reported earlier, in June 2015, Borealis announced progress made to date on the start-up of the third phase expansion of its Borouge joint venture with Abu Dhabi National Oil Co. in Ruwais, Abu Dhabi. By the end of 2014, the 1.5-million-t/y ethylene cracker, as well as three of the five polyolefin plants had started production. During the first quarter of this year, Borouge continued this process with the start-up of its high-pressure polyethylene plant. The Borouge 3 expansion includes two Borstar enhanced PE plants with a combined capacity of 1.08-million t/y, a 350,000-t/y low-density PE plant and two Borstar enhanced polypropylene facilities having a total capacity of 960,000 t/y.
Borealis is a leading provider of innovative solutions in the fields of polyolefins, base chemicals and fertilizers. With headquarters in Vienna, Austria, Borealis currently employs around 6,500 and operates in over 120 countries. It generated EUR 8.3 billion in sales revenue in 2014.
MRC