RadiciGroup at ChinaPlas 2018: high performance polymers, expanded production capacity and ISO 14001-certified sustainable plants
Now showcasing its latest products at the 32nd edition of ChinaPlas (Stand H7.2 - T51), the RadiciGroup Performance Plastics Business Area – specializing in the manufacture of polyamide and polyester engineering plastics and thermoplastic elastomers – has been present in China for nearly 15 years with Radici Plastics Suzhou Co. Ltd.
ChinaPlas’ numbers speak for themselves on the importance of this trade show: over 4,000 exhibitors are participating and more than 180,000 visitors from 150 different countries are expected.
The main target market for Radici Plastics Suzhou products is automotive (over 50%), for which the Group company has developed specialty polyamides for operation at high temperatures and for metal replacement applications. These specialties are used for the manufacture of various automotive parts, mostly under-the-bonnet components. The number of metal replacement applications is on the increase, and the products of the RadiciGroup RADILON® family are playing a major role. Besides materials, RadiciGroup can offer its OEM and TIER1 customers continual support and service, such as CAE (computer-aided engineering) advanced calculation modelling, which allows for an a priori assessment of the feasibility of a given application.
For the electrical/electronics market, which is also on an upward growth trend, RadiciGroup delivers its RADIFLAM® brand products for applications requiring flame resistance. “Continuing the trend that started in 2015, the year 2017 saw further growth compared to 2016 (+31%),” Alberto Sessolo, CEO of Radici Plastics Suzhou Co. Ltd. pointed out. “The first quarter 2018 also recorded a positive trend, in spite of a complicated market situation, particularly for nylon 6.6.”
The growth in volume goes hand in hand with the investment in increased production capacity. “By the end of the year,” Mr. Sessolo continued, “a new extrusion line will begin operation, thus increasing our production capacity by 10,000 tons per year. Moreover, we will shortly install a pneumatic transport system to carry the polymer from the warehouse directly to the production lines. Lastly, we plan to refurbish our laboratory with new, more accurate and innovative equipment, in order to provide more tailor-made services to our customers.”