Key takeaways from Fakuma 2024

Below are key takeaways from Fakuma: 

Biocircular-based PBT Pocan® as a drop-in alternative for fossil products: We featured the new PBT product range Pocan® X-MB, which is based on biocircular 1.4-butanediol (BDO), for the first time at Fakuma. The raw material for the bio-BDO is used cooking oil. The proportion of sustainable material in the PBT base resin is 26% and is certified according to ISCC Plus (“International Sustainability and Carbon Certification”). It can be increased to over 70% if recycled glass fibers and PET from post-consumer recyclates are used in the compounds in addition to bio-BDO. The CO2 footprint of the new products is more than 30% lower than that of corresponding standard compounds.

Sustainable office chair made from ghost fishing nets: An eye-catcher at our booth in terms of sustainability was the lightweight Remode office chair from Dutch manufacturer Ahrend. More than two thirds of its weight is made from our glass fiber-reinforced polyamide recyclate Akulon® RePurposed, a large proportion of which is obtained from fishing nets left in the sea. A further proportion of the compound comes from post-industrial waste.

High-efficiency sports shoes: We showcased sports shoes with midsoles made of the specialty product Arnitel®. The thermoplastic copolyester material brings the unique benefit of optimizing midsole performance and durability. We developed a unique product portfolio for various foaming technologies, which offer the possibility to achieve best in class rebounds in combination with longer life versus PEBA (polyether block amide).  

Automotive solutions: There were many automotive solutions featured at our booth, including low-emission fuel cell technology. For components of these systems, we have tailor-made Xytron® high-performance PPS compounds, which exhibit low ion leaching. This ensures that the cell membranes are not contaminated, so efficiency and reliability of the cells remain stable over their service life. In addition, the compounds – such as Xytron® G4080HR – are extremely resistant to hydrolysis and dimensionally stable in liquid cell media.

Also showcased was a high-pressure hydrogen tank for fuel cell vehicles or vehicles with engines for direct combustion of the gas. Akulon® Fuel Lock and Durethan® BC550Z are polyamide 6 compounds that have a high barrier effect against hydrogen compared to other plastics and therefore result in very tight tanks. These compounds are also impact resistant at low temperatures. Thanks to their high melt stiffness, they can be blow-molded into large tank liners for trucks with lengths of over two meters.

As an example of the lightweight design potential of our Tepex® composites and Durethan® compounds, we showcased a polyamide roof cross member for the acoustic soft-top of a new premium convertible. Magnesium is substituted in this application. Thanks to the design freedom offered by the plastics and the flexibility in the choice of materials, it was possible to extend the roof liner right up to the A-pillars. This gives the vehicle interior a more homogeneous, harmonious and elegant appearance. The design in polyamide is 700 grams lighter than the previous versions in magnesium, and 50% of the necessary components can be saved.

Also, featured were Stanyl® 46 polyamide products ideal for the construction of small bearing cages for rolling bearings in hybrid and all-electric drive trains. The compounds can withstand the dynamic-mechanical, tribological and thermal loads to which bearing cages of high-speed ball bearings are exposed. Their stiffness and strength allow these cages to be designed to be compact, lightweight and thin-walled. The miniaturized bearing cages withstand high centrifugal forces that occur in the bearings at high speeds of up to 30,000 revolutions per minute. The polyamide 46 compounds are superior to polyamide 66-based compounds and are a cost-effective alternative to polyether ether ketones (PEEK) for high-speed ball bearings that have to withstand temperatures of up to 150°C.

Sanitary and heating components solutions: We also featured  EcoPaXX® Q-DWX12, a 60 percent glass-filled PA 4.10, and ForTii® WX12-FC, a 40 percent glass-filled PPA, to its drinking water contact certified product portfolio. Both materials enable precise, strong and stiffer component designs and are well suited for use in sanitary applications, water meters and water heater components. The new PA 4.10 is certified for warm and hot water contact and offers excellent surface qualities, which helps to improve sealing performance. It exhibits a high level of mechanical performance in humid environments and a wide processing window. It is already being used as a replacement for brass in wall-mounted housings of shower thermostats.