Guangzhou, China—Solvay Specialty Polymers (stand 11.2A4) is showcasing a variety of advanced engineering plastics at  Chinaplas 2015 in Guangzhou to address the requirements of a variety of industries such as automotive, appliances and water treatment. The company is also stepping up production operations in China to better support the local processing sector.

Solvay plans to start up a Tecnoflon FKM fluoroelastomer production plant in Changshu by the second half of 2015. It also signed a MoU with Shanghai 3F for PTFE (polytetrafluoroethylene) production in Changshu. “The site will become an important production base to support growth in China,” says Luke C. Du, General Manager of Greater China & Southeast Asia, and Senior Vice President at Solvay Specialty Chemicals. “And capacity of FKM will be sufficient to meet the demands of the local market,” says Du.

China is the largest auto producer in world and not surprisingly, this market segment is high on the agenda for Solvay according to Du. “Pollution, specifically air pollution, is high on the minds of Chinese consumers,” says Du, “so reducing emissions at the source is gaining importance.” Here, Solvay has engineering plastic solutions to address the performance requirements of the latest generation engines and emission reduction technologies.

Due to special working conditions, components for exhaust gas technology such as EGR (exhaust gas recirculation) and SCR (selective catalytic reduction) require high temperature performance and chemical resistance. Here, Solvay’s Amodel PPA (polyphthalamide), Ryton PPS (polyphenylene sulfide; the portfolio was recently acquired from Chevron Phillips Chemical), Tecnoflon FKM fluoroelastomers, and KetaSpire PEEK (polyetheretherketone) resins are reportedly able to meet the requirements of key components such as urea metering pump housings and EGR valves. Furthermore, these resins have reportedly become ideal choices for thermostat housings, intercooler air chambers, and turbocharged tubes.

Solvay is also targeting metal replacement applications in the appliance segment, including brewing chambers, tubing, piping, and valve housings for coffee machines, hot beverage appliances and oven cookers. As a replacement for die-cast metals, zinc, brass and other thermoplastics, high heat grades of Amodel F-1440 (40 percent glass fiber reinforced) and Amodel FC-1150 (50 percent glass fiber reinforced) injection molding compounds possess a long-term continuous temperature of up to 120°C along with strong chemical resistance and hydrolytic stability versus standard polyamide (PA) compounds. According to Solvay, they are characterized by excellent chemical resistance to common household cleaners, oils, hot water, and steam.

Also in the consumer appliance segment, air fryers are increasingly popular consumer products and Solvay is promoting its PESU (polyethersulfone) and PPSU (polyphenylsulfone) as transparent, hot water- and steam-resistant, and BPA- (bisphenol A) free options.

Further, Ixef DW-1022 polyarylamide (PARA) and Amodel DW-1150 resins possess tensile strength ratings that are similar to many cast metals and alloys at ambient temperatures and the materials have received clearance by regulatory authorities in the U.S. and the European Union for use in drinking water applications. Typical injection molding applications include sanitary and water treatment applications such as filters and pipe fittings that require both aesthetic and high mechanical properties. The materials are also reportedly suitable for pipes, fittings, and flow meters.