K 2019: Purpose-led innovations from DSM

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. Exhibiting under the theme of ‘Bright Science. Brighter Living’ – at hall 6, booth 11 – DSM 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.  

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’s 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%.

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 and 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.

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: 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; 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.

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. 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.