Recently, Hanwha Azdel of South Korea has launched a new type of thermoplastic composite material called SuperLite S25, specifically designed for the automotive industry. This material is composed of polypropylene and long-cut fibers and has a considerable proportion of recycled materials.
The reinforcing core layer of the new material contains 25% recycled polypropylene (PCR) by weight, which means that approximately 50% of the resin component is recycled PP.
In its subsequent research and development plans, the company will provide 100% recycled glass fiber raw materials for the SuperLite S25 composite material.
SuperLite S25 is a high-performance thermoplastic composite material. Specifically, it is a composite laminated structure containing 55% glass fiber reinforcement. The back layer is PET mesh, and the adhesive film supporting the A surface is composed of double or triple layers of foam and non-woven fabric.
Hanwha Azdel offers adhesive options containing polyisocyanurate (PIR) and bio-based resins. The company is collaborating with suppliers to develop a single-material fabric based on polypropylene (PP), further enhancing the environmental friendliness of this solution.
The SuperLite S25 has been launched on the market and can be used for testing, evaluation and verification. The current qualification tests include bending performance, peak load, slope, odor, flammability, recyclability and atomization characteristics, and it also has expansion functions.
The target applications in the automotive field include luggage compartments, rear fender trim panels, cargo floors, door panels, body floor panels, roof liners, and storage boxes. Hanwha Azdel used a core material of 450 grams per square meter to create a prototype interior panel with a stamping depth of 12 inches (305 millimeters), achieving a weight reduction of up to 50%.
Other prototypes include a luggage compartment made of 1000 grams per square meter of SuperLite material with a stamping depth of 280 millimeters and a storage box made of 1100 grams per square meter with a stamping depth of 190 millimeters.