17 July 2019 - Royal DSM will showcase some of its latest purpose-led innovations at K2019, the world's premier fair for the plastics and rubber industry, in Düsseldorf, Germany, between 16 and 23 October 2019. Exhibiting under the theme of 'Bright Science. Brighter Living' – at hall 6, booth 11 – The company says it will show how it is using its science-based competences to develop innovations to both address the needs of its customers and tackle the world's major challenges. Some of these innovations are:

Metal replacement for electric vehicles

With growing demand for electric mobility, electromagnetic interference (EMI) shielding and thermal management are increasingly important in delivering high-quality automotive electronic systems. In particular, metal enclosures house electronic control units, or power and battery management modules, protecting these elements from both heat and mechanical damage. Nevertheless, these conventional metal housings are heavy, driving fuel consumption and carbon emissions in case of pure combustion or hybrid cars and traction and driving experience in case of pure electric cars. DSM says that its portfolio of conductive plastics enables the replacement of full-metal enclosures, with shielding efficiencies of around 40-60dB of plastic thickness, which protect from EMI, and can lead to weight reductions of up to 50%.

Akulon RePurposed: Recycled polyamide from discarded fishing nets

DSM and Starboard came together when the surfboard company selected DSM's Akulon RePurposed, where the resin used is fully recycled from discarded nylon-based fishing nets. According to DSM, the material is known for its sustainability profile as much as its performance. The discarded fishing nets are gathered from the Indian Ocean and Arabian Sea and are given a new lease of life as fins, fin boxes, standup paddleboard pumps, and other structural parts in surfboards. The product can be applied in many other applications and is specifically targeted at the sports and leisure market.

Arnitel E-TPEE in sustainable, high-performance athletic footwear

In recent years, the athletic sportswear industry has increasingly integrated high-performance materials to deliver higher durability, stability and functional performance without compromising on weight. DSM's expanded Arnitel co-polyester (E-TPEE) can be used in mid-soles of athletic footwear to deliver a range of performance advantages, as described by the manufacturer:

• Very high rebound rate of 75-80%, compared to 65-70% other materials such as E-TPU at same densities
• Consistent performance across diverse climates; Arnitel has a high consistency in modulus across temperatures from -25°C to +50°C
• Arnitel enables circularity when designing an all-polyester solution for upper and sole materials, including the adhesives

Arnitel in non-pneumatic tires

The market for non-pneumatic tires, or flat-free tires that are not supported by air pressure, is being driven by the need to integrate higher levels of sustainability, durability, efficiency and reduced costs. According to DMS, Arnitel, a family of high-performance thermoplastic elastomers (TPE), offers a unique combination of flexibility, high temperature resistance, strength and processing characteristics. As such, Arnitel is increasingly being used as a lighter, smarter, greener alternative to conventional rubbers, reducing environmental impact and, ultimately, system costs, DSM claims.

Reinventing the wheel with Arnitel: Non-pneumatic tires that don't go flat at https://youtu.be/UoHM_7f_Tv8

Additive manufacturing for automotive spare parts, low volume and customized production

Additive manufacturing (AM) is quickly evolving from prototyping into mainstream production, opening up a wide range of new horizons across many industries. The digital production technology enables new designs and applications, as well as reducing inventories, process waste, transportation cost and carbon footprint. DSM has pioneered additive manufacturing for over 25 years, and at K2019 will be outlining opportunities of AM for automotive OEMs. From creating vehicles produced in comparatively low volumes to meet individual requirements and tastes, to production of spare parts – an area with huge potential as it could help reduce inventory, typically 7% of an automotive OEM's liquid assets - AM is used, though cost-cutting and carbon footprint reduction are uppermost in the minds of the users.

Source: DSM