In developing new materials, Essen, Germany-based Evonik Industries has for many years paid attention to ecologically sustainable solutions. These include, on the one hand, plastics for lightweight construction, as are used in hybrid plastic-metal components and plastic glazing and, on the other, molding compounds that reduce emissions, either during their own production or by their function in components. Examples are bio-based plastics, infrared radiation-reflecting molding compounds, and polyamide molding compounds used in the lines of nitrogen-oxide reduction systems in diesel vehicles.

Even lighter hybrid components

Evonik has developed an adhesion promoter system that improves the performance of hybrid components and reduces material usage by up to 25 percent. This leads to significant cost advantages as well as reduced CO₂ emissions. The copolyamide adhesion promoter VESTAMELT bonds excellently to metallic as well as polymer surfaces. All the known disadvantages of existing hybrid components such as warpage, differential shrinkage, and defective bonding of metal and plastic are avoided.

High-performance and bio-based-no contradiction in terms

In VESTAMID Terra, Evonik offers high-performance polymers for automotive construction that are up to 100 percent bio-based. Like purely petroleum-based polyamides, these have excellent mechanical and physical properties. But VESTAMID Terra products have an added plus. Thanks to their more favorable CO₂ balance, they make important contributions toward conservation of fossil raw materials and reduction of the greenhouse effect, as has been verified by the German safety monitoring agency TUV.

Reduction of nitrogen oxides

With its range of VESTAMID polyamide 12 molding compounds, Evonik supports car makers in developing their individual systems for catalytic reduction of nitrogen oxides. These molding compounds combine good hydrolytic resistance and bursting strength at relatively high temperatures with high impact resistance and elasticity in the cold.

Transparency and lightness: PLEXIGLAS automotive glazing

Lightweight vehicles save fuel and are therefore kinder to the environment. While this is important for cars with conventional transmissions, weight is even more crucial for vehicles with electric engines. PLEXIGLAS glazing, being 40 to 50 percent lighter than glass, can make a major contribution to lightweight construction.

To cover the complete range of glazing for automotive construction, Evonik is pursuing two lines of development: monolithic and multilayer systems based on PLEXIGLAS. A 5mm thick coated sheet has already received ECE R 43 certification for side and rear windows and roof glazing. PLEXIGLAS glazing has been tested under practical conditions in a Lotus race car. This has recently been fitted also with a front windshield made from the high-transparency, weather-resistant, lightweight material and has passed its first test with flying colors.