Asahi Kasei Highlights High-Performance Plastics for Radar, Vehicle Interiors and Electrical Applications

"Xyron" Metallized slotted waveguide array antenna made of "Xyron" mPPE - (Photo: Asahi Kasei).

Asahi Kasei Europe GmbH will showcase a range of material solutions for automotive, electrical and industrial applications at Fakuma 2026. The company’s exhibits will focus on modified polyphenylene ether, polyamides, PPA compounds, thermoplastic elastomers and polyacetal binder systems. Target applications include automotive radar antennas, interior components, polycarbonate glazing, electrical connectors, busbar systems and metal injection molding.

For automotive radar systems, Asahi Kasei will present coated slotted-waveguide antenna samples made from its modified polyphenylene ether “Xyron”. The material combines dimensional stability and low weight with good metallization capability, making it suitable for lightweight, high-precision antenna structures used in connected and automated vehicles.

Advert

Another key topic is the simplification of multilayer automotive interior components. Instrument panels, door trims, armrests and center consoles are typically built from different materials for the skin, foam and structural layers. Asahi Kasei’s styrene-based thermoplastic elastomer enables the skin and foam layers to be produced from the same material family. Combined with core-back injection molding, both layers can be formed in a single process. Because the layers bond chemically, no additional adhesive is required. This can reduce both the number of materials used and the number of processing steps, while also improving the recyclability of the finished component.

Hard-coated PC window in `the concept car AKXY2 from Asahi Kasei - (Photo: Asahi Kasei).

For transparent automotive parts, Asahi Kasei is also developing a water-based hard-coating system for polycarbonate. The coated material is intended as a lightweight alternative to glass for windshields, rear windows and side windows. According to the company, the system meets the abrasion-resistance requirements of ECE R43 and provides the weather resistance required for automotive glazing. At Fakuma 2026, Asahi Kasei will display a coated polycarbonate windshield to demonstrate the technology. The main objective is to reduce vehicle weight compared with conventional glass glazing.

In electrical and industrial applications, Asahi Kasei will feature its “Leona” family of polyamide and PPA compounds. The range includes flame-retardant PA66 grades and impact-modified PPA materials with high tracking resistance for applications such as glow-wire connectors, transformer components, SMT connectors and power modules. Key performance criteria include flame retardancy, comparative tracking index, mechanical durability and thermal stability.

“Xyron” will also be featured in industrial electrical applications. Exhibits will include solutions for busbar systems in data centers, battery cell holders and material concepts based on PCR-PS+PPE. The materials are designed to combine electrical insulation, flame retardancy, low density and dimensional stability.

Asahi Kasei will also present “Tenac”, a polyacetal binder system for metal injection molding. The binder is designed to provide high flowability, low odor during catalytic debinding and reduced pore formation during thermal debinding. The company will display sintered MIM components as application examples. The system is intended to support more stable processing while improving the quality of finished parts.

Fakuma 2026
Friedrichshafen, Germany
October 12–16, 2026
Hall B5, Booth 5305

More information: www.asahi-kasei.com

Asahi Kasei Corporation, Tokyo, Japan + Asahi Kasei Europe GmbH, Düsseldorf, Germany

back to news list