DuPont at K 2010: Responsible Innovation Now

Highlights of the DuPont exhibit in Hall 6, Stand D33 will include recent commercial applications using renewably-sourced polymers, the latest materials for metal replacement, and new plastics and elastomers for enhanced performance across a range of industries — including automotive, healthcare, wire & cable and alternative energy. Photo: DuPont

The DuPont exhibit at K 2010 reflects the company’s optimistic and future-oriented view of its business and the opportunities for high-performance polymers and elastomers that are emerging from recent global economic challenges. Under its sustainability banner of “Responsible Innovation Now”, DuPont Performance Polymers will present at K 2010 new advances in high performance polymers and elastomers for a range of industries including the automotive, wire and cable, health care, food, alternative energy and packaging sectors. Particular highlights of the DuPont exhibit will include the launch of a second wave of polymers based on DuPont™ SHIELD technology, the presentation of the industry’s broadest portfolio of renewably-sourced polymers and the latest additions to its range of high performance elastomers for the automotive industry.

Sustainable solutions for the automotive industry - new DuPont™ Zytel® PLUS and DuPont™ Vamac® Ultra HT
Among DuPont innovations at K 2010 will be new advances in materials to replace metal in the automotive industry, creating new opportunities for the use of elastomers and light weighting solutions in components exposed to aggressive environments, thereby creating the potential for greater energy savings, reduced emissions and enhanced sustainability.

New polymers based on SHIELD technology, only from DuPont, constitute one of the innovations to be presented by DuPont at K 2010. As with the first wave of nylon products based on the same technology and launched as DuPont™ Zytel® PLUS nylon in March this year, these new additions will deliver excellent performance levels which are maintained much longer than traditional nylons despite exposure to hot oil, hot air, calcium chloride and other aggressive automotive chemicals. Benefits for the automotive industry include polymer components with enhanced durability, while maintaining the design and processing ease familiar with nylon, for even greater opportunities to replace metal for cost and weight savings.

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DuPont will also demonstrate at K2010 how the development of some of the latest high performance elastomers can help the automotive industry meet many of its current challenges. Key among these are high temperature Vamac® Ultra HT, specified for molded turbo air ducts, air intake gaskets, turbo charger hoses, intercooler seals and connectors, where it offers significant performance and cost advantages over ACM and HNBR. Alternatively, Viton® is the most specified fluoroelastomer for tough automotive sealing applications, retaining sealing force from -40°C to +203°C. Significantly, and in line with strong projected growth in biofuels, DuPont and independent OEM testing has demonstrated the high resistance of Viton® to permeation and chemical attack from bio-diesel and alcohol-based blend gasoline. In addition, recent compatibility testing has verified the ability of new grades of Zytel® PA and Zytel® HTN PPA and the latest Vamac® Ultra Grades to resist the aggressive Adblue®1 aqueous urea solutions used for selective catalytic reduction (SCR) systems designed to reduce NOx emissions from diesel engines.

The broadest portfolio of renewably-sourced materials
The strategy of DuPont Performance Polymers is to offer polymers that are at least 20% renewably sourced and have equal or better performance than the entirely petrochemically-based materials they replace. DuPont has the industry’s broadest range of high-performance, renewably-sourced polymers, including DuPont™ Sorona® EP thermoplastic polymers, which exhibit molding characteristics similar to high-performance PBT (polybutylene terephthalate), DuPont™ Hytrel® RS thermoplastic elastomers, which contain 35% to 65% renewably sourced material and provide the same established performance characteristics of original Hytrel® and, thirdly, the family of DuPont™ Zytel® RS long chain nylons – initially consisting of Zytel® RS polyamide 1010, which is 98 percent renewably sourced, and Zytel® RS polyamide 610, which is more than 58 percent by weight renewably sourced. Renewably sourced materials from DuPont can help reduce dependence on petroleum and reduce the net production of greenhouse gases.

DuPont helps meet the requirements of regulated industries
New solutions for wire & cable industry
In line with DuPont commitment to the industry trends and the need for truly sustainable options for 21st century, DuPont Performance Polymers recently expanded its solutions for the wire & cable industry with Zytel® Renewably Sourced polyamide resins, Hytrel® thermoplastic polyester elastomer Renewably Sourced resins, and a performant halogen-free Flame retardant DuPont™ ETPV thermoplastic vulcanizate resin. This is in addition to the existing material offering for wire and cable, including DuPont™ Vamac® ethylene acrylic elastomers (AEM), recognized as superior material for Halogen Free Flame Retardant (HFFR) and low smoke generating cable jacketing & insulations.

Advanced solutions for health care components
With the recent introduction of twelve new grades of DuPont engineering polymers that are specially designed to meet demanding health care requirements for use – and the scheduled launch of a further two during 2010 – DuPont is actively pursuing its objective to become the material supplier of choice to the health care segment. A prime example of the use of a DuPont polymer to address a pertinent health care challenge is provided by the recently launched Bardo Airway – a medical device, namely, an oropharyngeal airway that satisfactorily maintains an open airway while preventing emergence clenching. The product is molded using a Special Control grade Hytrel® because of the material’s soft elastomeric properties, its regulatory compliance and its plasticizer-free/BPA-free formulation.

New polymer food grade products
Similarly, DuPont Performance Polymers will launch in the fall of 2010 a new family of products, designated “FG” (Food Grade) that meet demanding requirements for use in food contact applications. These products provide compliance with several regional food contact regulations including FDA (Food and Drug Administration), European Food Contact n° 2002/72/EC and GMP (EC) n° 2023/2006. All FG products are available globally to allow customers to have the flexibility to design and manufacture in multiple regions.

New photovoltaic application facility at DuPont’s European Technical Center
DuPont opened an Application Laboratory at its European Technical Center near Geneva, Switzerland, at the start of the year. More than ten DuPont products are critical to photovoltaic production, including UV resistant DuPont™ Rynite® PET and flame retardant Zytel® for frames, fixations and electrical components. A rapidly developing DuPont material and technology portfolio offers solutions towards reaching grid parity.

New emerging technologies with ethylene copolymers
Beyond its engineering polymers, DuPont will use K-2010 to highlight its ethylene copolymers portfolio with a special focus on emerging technologies for scratch and abrasion resistant surfaces, breathable membranes and solutions for waste reduction through packaging.

DuPont will also present its polymer modifiers portfolio, including DuPont™ Entira™ Antistat antistatic polymeric agents and novel, maleic-anhydride copolymers, which enable innovation in toughening applications, in HFFR compounds and in blends of natural fibres with polyolefins. In addition, easy-open solutions for the packaging industry will also be featured on the booth.

More Information: www.k2010.plastics.dupont.com

K 2010, 27.10.–3.11.2010, Düsseldorf, Hall 6, Stand D33

DuPont de Nemours (Deutschland) GmbH, Neu-Isenburg, Germany

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