Solvay Advanced Polymers Unveils the SolvaSpire Family of Ultra-Performance Polymers
Broad product portfolio includes some of the highest performing plastics in categories ranging from heat and chemical resistance to stiffness and strength under load
ALPHARETTA, Ga., Oct. 16 // -- Solvay Advanced Polymers, L.L.C. today introduced its SolvaSpire family of ultra-performance polymers. These ultra polymers are typically defined by a combination of exceptional performance properties, including stiffness, strength, heat and chemical resistance, among others. While there are a handful of suppliers with one polymer in this category, Solvay Advanced Polymers' SolvaSpire family is the only portfolio comprised of five, fully developed ultra-performance products. The SolvaSpire family is:
o KetaSpire PEEK (polyetherether ketone) - the industry's best balance of
thermal, mechanical and chemical-resistant performance with the ease of
fabrication
o AvaSpire Modified PEEK - PEEK-based polymer formulations offering
unique advantages that bridge performance and pricing gaps in the ultra
polymer space
o PrimoSpire SRP (self-reinforced polyphenylene) - the world's stiffest
un-reinforced polymer, featuring remarkable hardness, chemical-
resistance and inherent flame-retardant properties
o EpiSpire HTS (high-temperature sulfone) - a plastic with exceptional
"creep" resistance in ultra-high use temperatures
o Torlon PAI (polyamide-imide) - Polyimide performance with the design
and processing freedom of an injection moldable thermoplastic
"If you look at the evolving challenges design engineers face today," explained Chris Wilson, Global Business Director for Ultra Polymers, Solvay Advanced Polymers, "the trend is toward lighter, tougher, more 'customizable' alternatives to metals, ceramics and other composite materials. It's these drivers that are creating the demand for more options at the upper-most tier of the plastics performance pyramid. And that's why we have worked hard to create the SolvaSpire family, the broadest portfolio of ultra performance polymers in the industry."
The plastics industry has long been characterized in terms of a performance pyramid. At the base and in the middle are high-volume, lower- performing commodity and engineered polymers. At the top, are high performance polymers that deliver exceptional performance. However, driven by increasing demand for even more performance a fourth tier has emerged comprised of plastics that have multiple high-end properties in a single polymer. These "ultra performing" plastics deliver performance features that no other material can. And it is here where the SolvaSpire family resides.
About Solvay Advanced Polymers
Solvay Advanced Polymers produces more plastics with more performance than any other company in the world. This gives design engineers worldwide more ways to solve top design challenges in automotive, healthcare, electronics, aerospace and other demanding industries. Learn more about the full line of Solvay Advanced Polymers' SolvaSpire family of ultra polymers at www.solvayadvancedpolymers.com.
About the Solvay Group
Solvay Advanced Polymers is a member of the Solvay Group, an international chemical and pharmaceuticals group headquartered in Brussels, Belgium. The Solvay Group, whose companies employ about 30,000 people in 50 countries, recorded consolidated sales for 2005 of EUR 8.6 billion, generated by its three sectors: Chemicals, Plastics and Pharmaceuticals. Solvay (Euronext: SOLB.BE - Bloomberg: SOLB.BB - Reuters: SOLBt.BR) is listed on the Euronext stock exchange in Brussels. Details are available at www.solvay.com.
CONTACT: Mark Wheeler of Solvay Advanced Polymers, L.L.C.,
+1-770-772-8849, or mark.wheeler@solvay.com
Web site: www.solvayadvancedpolymers.com/
http://www.solvay.com/
