Acma meet on polymer composites

To address the usage of advanced, high performance composites used in making vehicles lighter, safer and more fuel-efficient in synch with the existing global standards, the Auto Components Manufacturers Association of India (ACMA) organised a National Conference on Polymer Composites & New Age Materials. This was stated in a press release from ACMA.

In his inaugural address Ambuj Sharma, Additional Secretary, Ministry of Heavy Industries and Public Enterprises said, “Polymer Composites today have found ways to move beyond, what may be termed as ‘traditional applications’, in the automotive industry. Such materials are not only finding usage in the conventional interiors and exteriors of the vehicle but are also being considered ideal for a range of specialty applications. However, he added, there is an immediate need for the industry to seize business opportunities both in the domestic market and those available overseas. Further, the industry must proactively scale-up operations, invest in R&D and further up-grade technology matching the existing global standards.”

Addressing the participants, Ms Shradha Suri Marwah, Chairperson, Raw Materials Committee, ACMA & Managing Director, Subros said, “Plastics, elastomer materials and polymer fibres have made their way into the Indian automotive sector by playing an important role in enhancing the vehicle performance. ACMA continuously endeavours to educate members on new developments in material applications. The conference on polymer composites is a step further in this direction.”

Presentation by speakers deliberated on application of polymer composites vis-à-vis metals with process relevance that have scope for weight reduction by as much as 20-25 kg/vehicle. These high performance polymer grades offer various advantages like reduction in CO₂ emission, elimination of paints on the material, high impact strength, good flow ability, chemical resistance and high heat tolerances. A number of products like front end modules, bumper beams, foot rests, battery trays, gear shifter adapters, bus seat assemblies and panel replacements in LCVs were finding increasing usage of polymer composites, short and long fibres and injection moulded applications.

The conference focused on new age materials like Poly-olefins, special polypropylene composites, long fibre composites, thermoplastic composites and engineering plastics. Speakers represented some of the key material supplying companies like DSM, DuPont, Essem Polyalloys, Indian Oil Corporation, SABIC, Styrolution ABS and TIPCO.

The Indian composite industry is pegged at Rs 15,000 crore and is expected to grow at 15pc per annum over the next four years. Given its array of applications polymers composites are increasingly being explored for newer applications to make vehicles lighter and fuel efficient.

Source: Acma