March 26 (prw) -- Leading European PET producer La Seda de Barcelona has joined forces with two Spanish plastics car parts suppliers to develop the first fully recyclable PET polymer for the automotive sector.
The Spanish PET major, along with national component makers Grupo Ficosa International SA. and Zanini Auto Grup, have come up with prototypes for the first recyclable PET polymer-based rear view mirrors, hub caps and badges.
Through its PETAUTO polymer project, La Seda aims to tap a rich potential PET market of around 300,000 tpa, representing the volume of polyamide (PA) and ABS compounds the European automotive industry currently consumes.
La Seda says its new PET product, under development since 2008 in a joint ┬1.7m project at Barcelona's industrial research, development and innovation Technology Centre Leitat, is 100% recyclable. Its use in place of polyamides and technical plastics could result in cost savings of more than 50%, according to the Spanish polymer producer.
The group, parent of leading bottle preform moulder Artenius PET Packaging Europe, carried out detailed investigations on the most used additives that would provide PET with the necessary characteristics for its use in the automotive sector.
The PET group has applied for an international patent for its new automotive polymer which will be produced at La Seda's El Prat de Llobregat plant in Barcelona.
La Seda, which already produces recyclable food and beverage packaging PET polymers, says its innovative PETAUTO product is a contribution to compliance with EU standards which demand that 85% of vehicle components must be made from recyclable material. This requirement is set to rise to 95% from 2015.
PETAUTO is the first of several La Seda projects designed to tackle new and potential markets such as those in construction, optics, cosmetics, renewable energy, aeronautics and pharmaceuticals, the group said.
La Seda is currently ranked number one in Europe and third globally in the PET packaging sector. Its PETAUTO partners, also based in Barcelona, are both global leaders in automotive component manufacture. Family-run Ficosa, with production in Europe, Asia and North and South America, specialises in producing vehicle rear view mirrors, while Zanini, which makes interior, exterior and wheel trim, has plants in Europe, Mexico, Brazil and the US.
La Seda, which is emerging from a financial crisis, saw major restructuring and significant capacity cutbacks since the group revealed heavy losses for 2008. As part of its revised strategy, it has stressed its commitment to the recycled PET business and to introducing new added-value products to the market.
⌠La Seda's strategy includes the development of recyclable plastics that are environmentally respectful (sic). This project is an example of a sustainable economic change based on the company's increase of production capacity, commented group president Jose Luis Morlanes.
He added that the project was ⌠a competitive and innovative initiative as a solution for the current economic crisis.
Meanwhile, Zanini ceo Joan Miguel Torras declared that as a result of the joint project and resulting prototypes, ⌠we may rapidly adjust to the requirements of European standards in terms of CO2 emission reduction in our manufacturing processes as well as higher recyclability percentages for our products.
MRC