A.Schulman Launches Invision Soft-Touch Polyolefins for Automotive Interiors At Detroit SAE Show
DETROIT--March 6, 2001--A.Schulman Inc. introduced today the company's new Invision(TM) soft-touch polyolefin compounds for automotive interiors at the Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE) 2001 World Congress Exhibition in Detroit.
Invision(TM) offers original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) a high-quality, high-performance alternative to PVC compounds for use in a wide range of automotive interior components. The initial Invision(TM) product portfolio focuses on injection molding compounds for applications such as armrests, assist handles, console lids, shifter knobs and others. As the portfolio is expanded, it will include compounds for extrusion and blow molding applications.
"Our OEM customers have launched PVC-free automotive interior initiatives and we have responded with Invision(TM),," said Jane Maselli, marketing manager for A.Schulman's Interior Systems. "A.Schulman is committed to offering customers a diversified product portfolio that anticipates and responds to specific customer needs and provides product choices and strong product support from a single-source provider."
Maselli added: "Our technical specialists have a comprehensive knowledge of PVC applications, including part performance requirements, molding operations, tooling design and systems. They use this knowledge base to shorten the customer's learning curve and critical time-to-market by helping customers smoothly and seamlessly integrate the new compounds into their design and manufacturing operations."
Invision(TM) soft-touch polyolefins resulted from extensive research and represent the latest in A.Schulman automotive innovations dating back to the early 1960s. Invision(TM) addresses market demand for PVC-free compounds that are soft and leather-like in texture without sacrificing scratch resistance, weatherability, colorability, moisture resistance and other critical performance characteristics.
Additional features of Invision(TM) soft-touch polyolefins include:
| -- | Low gloss |
| -- | Low fogging |
| -- | Odor-free |
| -- | Excellent chemical, oil and stain resistance |
| -- | Excellent melt flow and color stability |
| -- | Excellent adhesion to polypropylene-based substrates |
| -- | Superior low temperature toughness and ductility. The compounds are 100% ductile at -40 degrees C when tested per ASTM D3763 (multi-axial impact) at 6.7m/sec & 8.9m/sec |
| -- | Low specific gravity (approximately 0.90). |
| -- | Recyclability with olefinic-based systems |
| -- | Non-hygroscopic qualities that eliminate the need for pre-drying before processing |
A.Schulman's global perspective and presence ensures the company's ability to offer global support for Invision(TM), and to tailor the Invision(TM) portfolio to specific market needs.
A.Schulman plans to launch Invision(TM) soft-touch polyolefins for additional markets, including consumer goods, sporting goods, appliance and electronics, later this year.
For more information about Invision(TM) or any other A.Schulman automotive products, call 248.643.6100 or visit the A.Schulman website at www.aschulman.com.
Headquartered in Akron, Ohio, A.Schulman is a leading international supplier of high-performance plastic compounds and resins and color concentrates and additives. These materials are used in a variety of consumer, industrial, automotive and packaging applications. The Company employs about 2,400 people and has 13 manufacturing facilities in North America, Europe, Mexico and the Asia-Pacific region. Revenues for the fiscal year ended August 31, 2000, were $1 billion. Additional information about A.Schulman can be found on the World Wide Web at www.aschulman.com.
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