Borealis and Borouge launch fibre-based PP compounds

Borealis and Borouge, leading providers of chemical and innovative plastics solutions, has launched Fibremod - their new product family of fibre-based compound polypropylene (PP) innovations for the automotive and the appliance industry. Connected to the launch of Fibremod, Borealis has also started a new long glass fibre line in Monza, Italy. The Fibremod family of engineered short (SGF) and long glass fibre (LGF) compounds consolidates the Xmod™ and Nepol™ glass fibre brands under one common name. This portfolio evolution is done to streamline the product brand portfolio and to build the stage for the innovation pipeline of all future, fibre-based materials.
 
Borealis’ proprietary Borstar® process technology enables Borealis and Borouge to tailor the highly engineered PP compounds to required stiffness aspects in order to meet the stringent needs of individual customer projects. For example, a unique, high performance glass fibre Fibremod solution was behind Volkswagen’s (VW) decision to become the first original equipment manufacturer (OEM) to switch from glass reinforced polyamide (PA) to SGF PP from Borealis for its air intake manifolds (1,4/63kW and 1,6l/77kW engines). The use of Fibremod created a 15% weight reduction, superior acoustic performance and greater production cost efficiency for VW and its Tier One supplier. Today, Fibremod compound solutions are used in an increasing variety of end uses, such as for instrument panel carriers, front-end modules as well as different under the bonnet and appliance applications.
 
PP-LGF is a group of long glass fibre reinforced products which are produced in the new Monza plant by pultrusion to achieve increased fibre length in both pellets and final parts. The glass fibres are typically arranged parallel in the pellets having all the same length as the pellet itself. The Monza production facility is the specialty plant for Borealis, where smaller lines allow for more flexibility and Nimblicity™. The new PP-LGF production line in Monza is the ideal addition to the Monza plant strategy to serve customers with more specialised products.
 
“With the unveiling of Fibremod, Borealis and Borouge have created a strong product brand portfolio partner for our Daplen™ range of mineral based material innovations for the automotive industry. We are driving tomorrow’s automotive requirements with our dedicated and highly engineered brand portfolio, highly experienced team as well as our global investments,” said Jost Eric Laumeyer, Global Marketing Manager Engineering Applications, Borealis.