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The major applications for LFT compounds:
LFRTP - AGlobal Perspective
Light weight is in. The LFRTP compounds in the form of pellets, glass mats or direct inline
compounded materials are in high demand for a variety of end-use automotive as well as
non-automotive applications. LFRTP offers highly effective material substitution in forming
finished and semi-finished parts. The annual growth of the global market for LFRTP is around
12% and by year 2011 it is estimated that about $400+ m new revenues could be generated
using LFRTP materials.
The use of LFRTP materials, which initially was driven from Europe, has now spread to all
regions of the world. LFRTP market growth is largely driven by the desire of automotive
producers to reduce weight and thus lower fuel consumption. One way to achieve this is to
switch from metals to plastics (LFRTP as raw material). Using LFRTP to replace metal allows
suppliers to integrate parts, thus greatly reducing assembly costs in such parts as front end
modules, instrument panels and door modules.
Five of the twelve application areas account for nearly half the volume increases. These five
applications include front end modules, instrument panels, door modules, and underbody
shields in automotive and general / industrial goods within the non-automotive sector.
(This
article was possible with the contribution from Mr. Durgesh Bakshi, Senior Manager, PSDC, STEER
Engineering Pvt Ltd., Bangalore.)
POLYMER SCIENCE & DIAGNOSTIC CENTER (PSDC)
A unit of STEER Engineering Pvt Ltd,
#290, 4th Main, 4th Phase, Peenya Industrial Area, Bangalore-58,
Tel: 91 80 23723309-10, Fax: 91 80 28391374,
Email: durgesh.bakshi@steerworld.co.in, info@steerworld.com
web: www.steerworld.com
STEER’s PSDC p r o v i d e s P r o j e c t
Assistance and Technology Support for
LFRTP, Wood Polymer and other related
projects.
-9-
THE EXTRUDER TIMES / ISSUE 08 / JANUARY-MARCH 2009
Source: Townsend Polymer Services and Information Inc.