Düsseldorf, MAY 13, 2025 – Envalior, a global leader in engineering materials, will showcase sustainable thermoplastics, along with a new halogen-free flame-retardant PBT at Booth #1 during the “Fuse Box Meets Dryer – Plastics in E&E Applications” conference organized by the South German Plastics Center (SKZ). The conference, which focuses on material innovations for global trends, including electromobility, autonomous driving, 5G mobile communications, and more, will be held May 14 - 15, 2025, at the Vogel Convention Center in Würzburg, Germany.
"During the conference we are focusing on Envalior’s broad portfolio of engineering plastics, which consist of sustainable raw materials. This portfolio is designed to help our customers worldwide to reduce the carbon footprint of their products, become less dependent on fossil raw materials, preserve resources, and contribute to the development of material cycles. Another key topic is our new generation of halogen-free, flame-retardant PBT compounds Pocan®. In addition to high flame retardancy, we have equipped them with other properties that are advantageous for E&E applications. For example, we are featuring Pocan® BFN4221Z, which is characterized by excellent mechanical properties," said Alexander Radeck, Manager of E&E in Technical Marketing at Envalior.
Sustainable material solutions without compromising on material properties
Envalior plans to offer its entire portfolio on a bio-based and/or recycled basis by 2030. At the SKZ conference, Envalior is featuring Durethan® ECOBKV30FN04 and BLUEBKV30FN04 to show the opportunities that such products create in terms of sustainability. The two halogen-free, flame-retardant polyamide 6 compounds reinforced with 30% glass fibers by weight are a sustainable alternative to the purely fossil-based Durethan® BKV30FN04, which has established itself in the E&E industry, in the manufacture of high-voltage connectors. They contain 30% and 86% sustainable raw materials respectively, including glass fibers in which mineral raw materials have been replaced by industrial glass waste.
The sustainable proportion in the compounds is certified according to the ISCC (International Sustainability and Carbon Certification) mass balance method. The CO2 footprints of both compounds are 7% and 61% lower respectively compared to their fossil-based counterparts.
The use of sustainable raw materials does not mean compromising on the mechanical properties of the compounds. Both compounds have the same chemical, physical and processing properties and the same quality as their fossil equivalents. They comply with the same technical specifications and certifications.
"Our customers can therefore use them directly as a drop-in solution and substitute the fossil-based product counterpart in the ongoing production process. There are no major costs for material replacement, such as the construction or reworking of tools," explained Radeck.
A material solution that is ideal for overmolding metal parts
Envalior’s new material, Pocan® BFN4221Z is reinforced with 20% by weight of short glass fibers. Particular advantages of this PBT compound are its high elongation at break of 2.9% (ISO 527-1,-2) and good Charpy impact strength (ISO 179/1eU) of 45 kilojoules per square meter. The elongation at break is even higher than that of comparable PBTs with halogen-containing flame retardants.
Components made from the new material are more resistant to cracking, plus connecting elements such as snap fits are easier to design. Due to its high elongation at break and temperature resistance, the material is also particularly resistant to thermal shock. It is therefore ideal for overmolding metal components that are exposed to rapid and large temperature changes. Thus, components made of the material have little tendency to form stress cracks in the event of frequent temperature jumps.
The high flame resistance of the PBT compound is evident in the V-0 classification in the UL (Underwriters Laboratories Inc.) 94 test. This classification applies to all colors with test specimen thicknesses of just 0.4 millimeters. Compared to PBT grades with halogen-containing flame retardants, Pocan® BFN4221Z is significantly more resistant to tracking with a stable Comparative Tracking Index (CTI) of 600 (IEC60112).
"In general, the high tracking resistance enables greater freedom in component design. This is because electrical assemblies can be designed with smaller distances between the metal contact pins. This results in greater component compactness without having to worry about short circuits and device defects caused by leakage currents," explained Radeck.
With its good electrical insulation properties and low water absorption, the compound is particularly suitable for direct current applications, for example in electromobility. Other possible applications include housings for power capacitors, connectors and plug connectors.
For more information, visit Envalior at Booth #1 at the SKZ Conference.
Further detailed information on Envalior's materials for the E&E industry can be found in Envalior's MaterialAdvisor, which provides digital tools and services that customers can use to find, select and evaluate materials.
Test housing for E&E applications made of Pocan® BFN4221Z.
Photo: Envalior
About Envalior
Envalior is a global leader in Engineering Materials with over 4,000 employees worldwide. It was established in 2023 through the merger of Lanxess Performance Materials and DSM Engineering Materials. With a long track record of customer-driven innovation, Envalior specializes in developing sustainable and high-performance material solutions. Focus markets include Automotive, New Mobility, Electronics & Electrical, and Consumer Goods. For more information, visit www.envalior.com.
Forward-Looking Statements
This company release contains certain forward-looking statements, including assumptions, opinions, expectations and views of the company or cited from third-party sources. Various known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors could cause the actual results, financial position, development or performance of Envalior GmbH to differ materially from the estimates expressed or implied herein. Envalior GmbH does not guarantee that the assumptions underlying such forward-looking statements are free from errors, nor does it accept any responsibility for the future accuracy of the opinions expressed in this presentation or the actual occurrence of the forecast developments. No representation or warranty (expressed or implied) is made as to, and no reliance should be placed on, any information, estimates, targets and opinions contained herein, and no liability whatsoever is accepted as to any errors, omissions or misstatements contained herein, and accordingly, no representative of Envalior GmbH or any of its affiliated companies or any of such person’s officers, directors or employees accepts any liability whatsoever arising directly or indirectly from the use of this document.
Candace Roulo
tel: +1 248 200 8919
