Radici Plastics (Suzhou): Serving the needs of Asia’s fast-growing automotive industry

The RadiciGroup is a leading player in the production of polyamide, chemical intermediates, high performance polymers, advanced textile solutions, with a network of production and sales sites across the world serving the diverse requirements of various industries. Radici Plastics (Suzhou) Co., Ltd. is a subsidiary of RadiciGroup in China and offers polyamide engineering thermoplastics for various applications in the automotive, electrical/electronics, industrial and consumer goods industries. International Plastics News for Asia had the chance to talk to Alberto Sessolo, Country Manager of Radici Plastics (Suzhou) Co., Ltd., who shared how Radici Plastics has been meeting the requirements of today’s highly dynamic automotive industry.

Radici Plastics (Suzhou) produces a complete range of engineering polymers such as PA, PBT, PPS. Can you explain the unique properties and applications of each of these polymers in the automotive industry?

Mr. Sessolo: Polyamide, also known as Nylon, is one of the most famous engineering polymers. Radici’s Radilon® grades are moulding compounds on the basis of PA6, PA66 and various co-polyamides such as PA66/6. This product range also includes long chain polyamides and semi-aromatic polyamides. The wide range of polymers together with engineering modification technology offers Radilon® compounds high mechanical strength, stiffness and thermal stability. Owing to its excellent properties, this material has become universal in almost all sectors of automotive applications.  In addition, Radiflam® grades are flame-retardant polyamide, that offer exceptional fire resistance and electrical insulation while reserving outstanding mechanical and thermal properties, can meet very demanding safety requirements of e-mobility.

Raditer®, the brand of PBT compounds, is outstanding for its very good dimensional stability and low water absorption. It shows an excellent electrical and thermal long-term behavior – all properties that have made Raditeck® an indispensable material solution for automotive EE applications.

Radici’s Raditeck®grades are compounds on basis of PPS, which is a high-temperature thermoplastic material that offers an excellent combination of thermal, mechanical and chemical resistance properties. This material is inherent flame-retardant and with good resistance to coolant fluids. We consider Raditeck® a very important supplement of material solution for E-powertrain and thermal management of automotive applications.

With a strong sales network across China, including major cities like Suzhou, Shanghai, Changsha, Guangzhou, and Shenyang, how does Radici Plastics ensure consistent product quality and customer service across these regions?

Mr. Sessolo: Having all the production footprint concentrated in one location helps us to guarantee consistent product quality among different batches. At the same time, a sales network located in the most important areas of the countries together with a network of partners help us to provide our customers quick answers to their questions. Moreover, our Technical Support Team is always ready to provide technical assistance and visit customers even at a very short notice, guaranteeing quick response to their needs.

As a subsidiary of RadiciGroup with nearly a century of history, how does Radici Plastics (Suzhou) integrate the group's legacy and expertise into its operations in China?

Mr. Sessolo: All the factories of RadiciGroup worldwide share common values and technologies. A constant exchange between local and global teams guarantees that information, new developments and global projects are implemented in accordance with the Group’s vision and procedures.

Radici Plastics prides itself on meeting customers' needs through customised products and comprehensive assistance throughout the production stages. Can you share an example of how this approach has successfully addressed a specific customer challenge?

Mr. Sessolo: We are seeing a lot of changes in China automotive industry due to the fast pace of electrification and emerging new OEMs. In this dynamic market, the customers’ needs for material solutions are also evolving very rapidly. Radici, which has taken its competency in technical knowhow of engineering plastics and long-term experience in supplying various industrial sectors, has successfully designed many tailored materials to meet those new requirements,

For example, cost reduction becomes the focus of automotive supply chain due to recent price war at end market. Tier producers are desperately looking for a cost-performance flame retardant materials for e-powertrain system. Red phosphorus modified FR polyamide is noted with its excellent mechanical property and low cost, but flame-retardant migration of this type of material has long held back its use on electrical components with high standard of safety and reliability. Radici has responded to this issue with the new series of Radiflam® red phosphorus polyamide compounds. This new product family is incorporated with advanced FR encapsulation and compounding technology that can dramatically reduce the risk of flame-retardant migration. At present, several world-famous automotive tiers and OEMs have selected this innovative product for moulding components in e-powertrain system.

Research and technological development are key aspects of your support to customers. Can you highlight any recent innovations or developments in engineering polymers that have emerged from Radici Plastics (Suzhou)?

Mr. Sessolo: The R&D department of Radici Plastics Suzhou is committed to providing high-performance innovative materials for both local and global customers. In view of the booming development of China's electric vehicle market, we have developed many competitive products for customers, for example: orange flame-retardant materials that can be used in high-voltage connector applications. While ensuring excellent flame retardancy and electrical properties, it can also maintain stable vivid orange colour in a high-temperature use environment for up to 1,000 hours. In addition, for the photovoltaic market, the R&D team of Radici Plastics Suzhou has developed a flame-retardant material with high impact resistance and weatherability that can be used in photovoltaic connector applications. Compared with similar products on the market, it is more cost- effective. Products that meet sustainable development goals are also key development projects of the R&D department. Multiple products in the RENYCLE series are manufactured using environmentally friendly recycled materials as much as possible while ensuring high performance materials, providing customers with solutions to meet the requirements of reducing carbon emissions.

With a global presence in multiple continents, how does Radici Plastics (Suzhou) collaborate with other international branches of RadiciGroup to leverage global expertise and ensure the highest standards in product development and customer satisfaction?

Mr. Sessolo: Radici Plastics Suzhou team is continuously in contact with colleagues in Headquarter and in other branches with regular exchange meetings and monthly/quarterly global meetings which involve colleagues from all regions. This is especially valid for Research & Development where regular updates and exchanges are necessary to guarantee consistent development activities following the market trends and the company strategies.