PR86053

WORMS, Germany, Oct. 12, 2020 /PRNewswire=KYODO JBN/ --

- New material is made of at least 90 percent renewable raw materials

- Rochling-BioBoom is suitable for a large part of the product range of the

company

- By 2035, Rochling Automotive aims to become the leader in bioplastics and

recycled materials in the automotive industry

-- Green materials ensure sustainable mobility: The automotive industry is

increasingly working on aligning vehicle production with the principles of

sustainability. The development of appropriate materials plays a decisive role

in this process.

With the bioplastic Rochling-BioBoom, Rochling Automotive is the first company

on the market to have a patented polylactide (PLA)-based biopolymer that

consists of at least 90 percent renewable raw materials. In this way, the

company offers an ecological and economical alternative to most conventional

materials such as polyester (PC, PET, PBT) but also polystyrene (ABS),

polyolefins (such as PP) and polyamides (PA6).

"We want to support our customers in the development of environmentally

friendly vehicles and thus help shape the transformation of the industry

towards a sustainable one," explains Prof. Dr. Hanns-Peter Knaebel, Chairman of

the Board of Management and CEO of Rochling Automotive. "With our bioplastics,

we are bringing a sustainable solution to the market that originates from a

completely self-controlled supply chain - from renewable resources to the

automobile manufacturers." Rochling Automotive has built up internal expertise

in materials development over many years in cooperation with various partners.

With significant improvements in terms of thermal stability and chemical

resistance compared to standard PLA, the new biopolymer family meets the

company's high technical requirements and specifications.

Rochling BioBoom enables greenhouse gas emission savings that are about 70

percent higher than those of PP and almost 90 percent higher than those of PA6.

This means that if the proportion of petrochemical plastics in a mid-sized car

is replaced by Rochling Automotive's bioplastics, 515 kilograms of CO2

emissions can be saved per vehicle production.

Three standard types of Rochling Automotive biopolymers are currently

available, which are suitable for applications in the engine compartment and

underbody as well as for the interior of a vehicle. Each of the three types can

be tailored to individual customer needs and the respective specific

requirements. Rochling BioBoom can also be used for almost the entire product

portfolio of Rochling Automotive.

With Rochling BioBoom, the plastics specialist once again underlines its role

as a pioneer in the industry. For Prof. Dr. Hanns-Peter Knaebel, the

sustainable material is also an initial indicator for a green future for the

company: 'We have set ourselves the goal of becoming the leading supplier of

bioplastics and recycling materials in the automotive industry by 2035 at the

latest. This means that we will noticeably increase our development activities

in this area'. With the newly developed biopolymer, Rochling Automotive has

already successfully initiated this important transformation process.  

Please go to

https://www.roechling-automotive.com/products-solutions/biopolymers for more

information on Rochling-BioBoom.

- Picture is available at AP Images (http://www.apimages.com) -

The Rochling Group has been shaping industry. Worldwide. For nearly 200 years.

We transform the lives of people every day with our customized plastics: they

reduce the weight of cars, make medication packaging more secure and improve

industrial applications. Our workforce of around 11,500 people is located in

the places where our customers are – in 90 locations in 25 countries. The

Group's three divisions generated joint annual sales of 2.352 billion euros in

2019.

The Industrial division is the expert for optimal materials for every use. We

develop and supply individual products made of plastic for all industrial

areas. This is why we have the broadest product range of thermoplastics and

composite materials. We supply our customers with semi-finished products or

machined components.

The Automotive division advances mobility. Our product solutions in the areas

of aerodynamics, propulsion and structural lightweight help solve major

challenges. We protect the environment while also improving the driving

experience.

The Medical division is the reliable partner to leading global companies when

it comes to the components, services and smart plastic products that are needed

in the healthcare industry. We develop solutions in the fields of diagnostics,

fluid management, pharma as well as surgery and interventional.

Katrin Biedebach,

Senior Manager Marketing & Communication

T +49 151 406 695 23

kbiedebach@roechling.com

roechling-automotive.com

Source - Rochling Automotive SE & Co. KG