GE Plastics Optimizes Environmentally Responsible Noryl GTX* Conductive Resin for Powder Coating Processes
Unique, New Material to Join GE's Expanding ecomagination* Product Portfolio, Providing Host of Environmental, Design, Performance, and Production Benefits
INDIANAPOLIS - Sept. 19, 2006 - Here at Powder Coating 2006, GE Plastics is exhibiting the first in a new family of conductive Noryl GTX* resins that are optimized for powder coating. These unique materials - slated to join GE's growing ecomagination* product portfolio - contain conductive fillers that eliminate the need to apply an electrostatic primer. Because the materials were designed for powder coating operations, conductive Noryl GTX resins can replace metal substrates, offering increased design freedom and eliminating costly and potentially hazardous chemical pre-treatments. Also, the Noryl resin grades make it possible to powder-coat metal and plastic on the same production line for economies of scale and uniform aesthetics. GE Plastics is displaying several applications for Noryl GTX 674PC resin, as well as other powder-coating technologies, here at Booth 216.
Conductive Noryl GTX resin should soon be certified as a GE ecomagination product, following a rigorous analysis that quantifies environmental and operating benefits to customers in a transparent process, which is audited by a third party. GE's ecomagination initiative is a major worldwide initiative to increase research and development in environmental technologies; drive new business opportunities by helping customers solve their toughest environmental challenges; reduce the company's greenhouse gas emissions; and increase energy efficiency.
"Powder coating is a fast growing technology due to its environmental benefits, particularly the elimination of solvents and related compounds that are emitted into the air in conventional liquid paint," said Christine Murner, ecomagination leader, GE Plastics. "GE's conductive Noryl GTX resin makes powder coating plastic parts more practical by eliminating the cost, time, and environmental concerns of electrostatic primers. Further, they offer OEMs and their supply chain partners the flexibility to replace metal with a lightweight, high-performance plastic, or to run multiple materials on the same coating line. Our unique Noryl GTX resin opens new opportunities for design innovation and production efficiencies."
GE's conductive Noryl GTX resin provides two critical properties required for successful powder coating: conductivity and high heat performance. The material, a blend of polyamide (PA) with modified polyphenylene ether (MPPE), is reinforced with conductive filler packages to ensure electrostatic adhesion of the powder coating. In addition, it is a high performance material that can withstand the curing temperatures of current powder coating processes. Unlike conventional plastics that must be coated with an electrostatic primer, or metals that must be chemically pre-treated to remove grease, GE's conductive Noryl GTX resin requires only a washing step prior to beginning the powder coating process.
In addition to productivity gains from the elimination of the primer application or chemical pretreatment, another benefit of parts made from GE's conductive Noryl GTX resin is that it can be powder-coated simultaneously with metal parts. Running multiple substrates on the same line enables economies of scale and avoids a color mismatch between powder-coated metal and injection-molded plastic.
The Noryl GTX 674PC resin grade is the first of a full line of conductive resins planned for powder coating applications such as office furniture, marine engine components, and non-auto transportation. At its booth, GE Plastics is exhibiting a Steelcase convertible ottoman and bin end caps, and the front fairing for a Harley Davidson motorcycle, all using conductive Noryl GTX resin.
The GE exhibit is also giving show attendees a look at new technologies for thermoset powder coating. The company will also showcase a planned thermoset resin family offering excellent weatherability, chemical resistance, and mechanical performance.
For more information on GE's Noryl GTX conductive resin, please go to geplastics.com.
About GE Plastics
GE Plastics (geplastics.com) is a global supplier of plastic resins widely used in automotive, healthcare, consumer electronics, transportation, performance packaging, building & construction, telecommunications, and optical media applications. The company manufactures and compounds polycarbonate, ABS, SAN, ASA, PPE, PC/ABS, PBT and PEI resins, as well as the LNP* line of high-performance specialty compounds. GE Plastics, Specialty Film & Sheet manufactures high-performance Lexan* sheet and film products used in thousands of demanding applications worldwide. In addition, GE Plastics' dedicated Automotive organization is an experienced, world-wide competitor, offering leading plastics solutions for five key automotive segments: body panels and glazing; under the hood applications; component; structures and interiors; and lighting. As a Worldwide Partner of the Olympic Games, GE is the exclusive provider of a wide range of innovative products and services that are integral to a successful Games.
* Noryl GTX, ecomagination, LNP, and Lexan are trademarks of General Electric Company.
Contacts
The Americas
Christopher Tessier
GE Plastics, Pittsfield, Mass.
Tel: +1-413-448-6926
E-Mail: christopher.tessier@ge.com
Europe
Helen Vandebovenkamp
GE Plastics, Bergen op Zoom,
The Netherlands
Tel: +31 164 29 2097
E-Mail: helen.vandebovenkamp.@ge.com
Asia
Cecilia Siu
GE Plastics, Shanghai, China
Tel: +86 21 3222 4500 Ext. 216
E-Mail: cecilia.siu@ge.com
Agency Contacts
The Americas
Jim Allison
AH&M Marketing Communications,
Pittsfield, Mass.
Tel: +1-413-448-2260, Ext. 25
E-Mail: jallison@ahminc.com
Europe
Tessa Vroegop
Marketing Solutions, Bergen op Zoom,
The Netherlands
Tel: +31 164 317 038
E-Mail: tvroegop@marketingsolutions.be
China
William Li
Ketchum Newscan, Shanghai, China
Tel: +86 21 5289 5838 Ext. 105
E-Mail: william.li@knprsh.com
Japan
Mitsu Sugino
Tokyo PR Inc., Tokyo, Japan
Tel: +81 3-3273-2731
E-Mail: sugino@tokyopr.co.jp
Matt Zurawik
Account Executive
AH&M Marketing Communications
152 North Street, Suite 340
Pittsfield, MA 01201
Tel: +1.413.448.2260 Ext. 47
Fax: +1 413.445.4026
Email: mzurawik@ahminc.com
