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Hematite Introduces Soundguard

17 May 1999

Hematite Introduces Soundguard, a Revolutionary New Material For Automotive Noise-Control Applications

            Earth-friendly alternative to polyvinyl chloride (PVC)
                       and ethylene vinyl acetate (EVA)

    TRAVERSE CITY, Mich., May 17 -- As part of its new
"BodyGuard" line of recycled barrier systems, Hematite Automotive Products,
Inc., has announced the development of SoundGuard, an acoustical barrier
material used in the production of noise-control components for automotive
applications.  Hematite unveiled the new material here at the 1999 Society of
Automotive Engineers Noise and Vibration Conference and Exposition.
    According to Kasper J. Van Veen, a product development executive at
Hematite Manufacturing in Guelph, Ontario, Canada, the recycling process used
to manufacture SoundGuard is innovative in the automotive recycling industry.
"Our new recycling process could reduce a considerable amount of plastic
dumped into landfills in North America and further improve recyclability of
today's cars and light trucks," said Van Veen.
    "Bumper fascia and trim are typically made from thermoplastic polyolefin
(TPO) plastics," said Van Veen, "and because these parts are usually scrapped
in a painted condition, they are difficult to recycle for class-A interior and
exterior surfaces such as dashboard trim and bodyside moldings.  We are now
prepared to consider automotive applications using recycled TPO which include
sound-deadening material, and air- and water-management components that
traditionally have been made from PVC and EVA plastics."
    Van Veen said that Hematite SoundGuard meets the two key criteria
necessary for use in sound barrier applications such as dash insulators, floor
insulators and sheet-metal plugs:  high mass-per-unit area, which contributes
to its sound-deadening properties; and flexibility, which ensures that the
product tightly seals the affected area and reduces resonance frequency, or
what is commonly referred to as the "drum effect."
    In the development of Hematite SoundGuard products, cost and performance
characteristics were targeted to be equal to or better than other recycled
plastics, according to Van Veen.  It also provides automotive OEMs with the
opportunity to significantly increase the "green" content on their future
vehicles.
    Van Veen presents an overview of the development and application of
SoundGuard TPO components at this week's 1999 SAE Noise and Vibration
Conference and Exposition in Traverse City, Michigan.  Hematite products,
including SoundGuard, will be on display at booth #416 throughout the
Exposition.
    Hematite, a Pavaco Group company, supplies the automotive industry with
high-quality, cost-effective components manufactured from 100 percent recycled
and recyclable materials.  Founded in 1978, the company has annual sales of
$50 million and employs more than 300 people at eight facilities in Canada,
the United States and Europe.  Additional information about the company is on
the Internet at http://www.hematite-auto.com.