The announcement increases competition to GE's Noryl GTX PPO/PA grades

The announcement increases competition to GE's Noryl GTX PPO/PA grades

Italian compounder Aquafil Technopolymers has extended its capability to offer a range of polyphenylene oxide (ether) / polyamide blend grades. The materials are glass-fibre reinforced and available in self-extinguishing versions as well as in custom-matched colours. They will be sold under the Acnor brand.

Aquafil Technoplymers commercial manager Eugenio Pederzolli told PRW.com that the company can control the blending of PPO while it polymerises polyamide at its Arco plant in Trentino. It moved its entire compounding operation to Arco last year following a fire at the Ceriano plant. According to Pederzolli, a typical application for the material would be for hinged automotive petrol filler flaps on more expensive cars. Despite its much higher price than pure polyamide, it offers good mechanical properties combined with high surface quality. Industrial trials with Acnor will begin within a few days.

Aquafil’s announcement means GE’s Noryl GTX PPO/PA grades are becoming exposed to yet more competition from European compounders. Asahi Thermofil last year announced it had started production in France of PPE-based blends, including PPE/PA (PRW.com 30 April 2003). Alessio Carminati, general manager for Aquafil’s fibres and technical compounds businesses, said the PPO is “bought on the market”. However, he stressed: “we don’t want to make war with GE”.