Dec 15 2005
BASF recently extended its range of Neopolen® P foam types by five new versions which cover a variety of uses. The new products include special types in various colors, including white, and also very smooth, ultra-light and special low-cost versions. Neopolen P is a special foam made of expanded polypropylene (EPP). Its numerous advantages include very good shock absorption properties, which explains why it is used for wide-ranging applications in the automobile industry and also for packaging and transport.
Colorful toys – white packaging
The new, high-quality Neopolen P types in different colors such as bright red, metallic red, azure blue and metallic blue are currently used for making the lightweight giant building bricks “Max-the-toy-brick” (German: Max-der-Spielstein) designed for small children by company DVHV in Germany. Toys and recreational products made of Neopolen P benefit from the combination of low weight and durability. The different colors are also useful for denoting whether meals in insulating transport boxes are hot or cold. The new, white Neopolen P is used for high-quality product packaging. This white EPP foam is popular for transporting electrical goods such as plasma screens, and not only because it is reminiscent of Styropor®. Neopolen P packaging is much more robust than Styropor and protects the items against repeated bumps and jolts.
Designer product with homogeneous surface
The Neopolen P experts developed the special 9235 type for making automobile sunshades. The homogeneously expanding foam beads produce a very smooth surface on molded parts. As sunshades are covered with a very thin film, the surface quality of the foam is particularly important. But this foam type is also suitable for other applications in which the surface structure is critical.
Particularly light or particularly cost-effective
The new Neopolen 8000 products are particularly fit for components which have to satisfy low weight requirements. The lightest version has a bulk density of only 15.5 grams/liter, and molded part densities ranging from 20 to 35 grams/liter are therefore possible. This series also offers improved processing properties. The cost-effective Neopolen P 7230 does justice to increasing price competition, especially in the automobile industry, and satisfies a lower demand profile. Neopolen P 7230 can be used as a filling material if high shock and energy absorption is not as important, thereby offering considerable cost savings.
With these new product types the Neopolen experts are breaking through into markets and applications not possible with the previous product range. "Neopolen is a very versatile product with a host of unexplored uses. After an intensive market analysis we have extended our range selectively in areas where we discovered interesting new applications", commented Michael Gragert, head of global Neopolen business at BASF.
Neopolen P
Neopolen P foam combines a high energy absorption capacity – even if exposed to repeated dynamic loads – with a very low weight, high resilience and isotropic deformation performance.
The product's interesting range of properties, which also includes a low water retention rate, high resistance to chemicals and good heat insulation, opens up a number of potential new uses in addition to the well-known ones, such as for XL Turf synthetic grass, for the insulation of water heaters and covering the surfaces of skating tracks.
PlasticsPlus
PlasticsPlus™ is BASF’s name for a specialty plastics line that includes high-performance styrenics, biodegradable materials, and foams. When exacting requirements have to be met, the experts and products from PlasticsPlus supply a particularly high level of diversity, reliability, partnership, and innovation.