Brand Fynocore, these panels have a PP honeycomb core with a surface thermally bonded leather that can be either a PP sheet or a non-woven surface.
Fynotej (Mexico City, Mexico) is a well-known manufacturer of high quality automotive nonwovens and is the first company in North America to receive automotive licenses for the ThermHex thermoplastic honeycomb core production technology from EconCore (Leuven, Belgium). Fynotej began production of a series of polypropylene (PP) honeycomb sandwich panels for automotive interiors, including boxes, earlier this year. Brand Fynocore, these panels have a PP honeycomb core with a skin layer - heat-bonded together - either a solid PP sheet or a non-woven surface finish that combines low weight with high performance and aesthetics.
“Fynocore products combine our expertise and experience in nonwovens with EconCore's ThermHex cellular technology,” said Daniel Kalach, vice president of manufacturing at Fynotej. “They are very suitable for the automotive market: they are recyclable, humidity inert, fast and fast, high component performance but light weight, and most importantly cost competitive. We are excited to offer these innovative products to customers in North America. "
Daniel Kalach said that Fynotej is already researching high-volume non-automotive applications that will also benefit from the performance advantages of PP honeycomb panels. The company is focusing on architectural and industrial applications. “We are very excited about the cellular production line that has been launched in Mexico City. This highly versatile technology offers a wide range of opportunities, but most importantly it meets the most critical market needs – performance and cost effectiveness,” Kalach added. Road.
Tomasz Czarnecki, chief operating officer of EconCore, said the successful launch of the Fynotej line is an important step in the lightweight thermoplastic honeycomb composites for the North American automotive industry. “This is one of the newest members of our network of licensees and now spans Europe, Asia and North America, not only in automotive applications, but also in the direction of development, and may involve commercial transportation, construction and construction, and reusability. Industrial packaging, etc.," he said.
Czarnecki continues to highlight the success of another EconCore licensee, Wabash Country, Inc., the leading semi-trailer and truck body manufacturer in the region. “The combination of a thermoplastic honeycomb core and a metal skin is another example of the versatility of the EconCore technology. Wabash National's lightweight work is well suited to market trends. The transportation and logistics markets are in terms of fuel efficiency regulations, and given the clear goals of fleet managers The cost savings are being asked to change."
High Performance Thermoplastic (HPT) Products in PC, PA 66 and PPS
EconCore is now further developing the versatility of ThermHex technology. It has expanded its focus to high performance thermoplastic (HPT) honeycomb core materials and sandwich panels. Czarnecki said: "High-speed continuous technology has proven to be an ideal choice for high-volume applications using commercial thermoplastics. "Now we are expanding our ability to produce engineered plastic honeycomb cores, including modified polycarbonate, polyamide 66, poly Phenyl sulfide (PPS), etc. ”
EconCore has successfully produced and tested honeycombs in several HPTs in its newly renovated R&D facility in Leuven, Belgium.
The HPT Honeycomb will build on the inherent advantages of lightweight honeycomb structures, adding heat resistance (for products such as electric vehicle battery casings) and very good flame retardancy (important for building panels). EconCore also uses materials modified for FST (flame, smoke, toxicity) compliance in railway and aerospace applications. It sees great potential for photovoltaic (PV) panels and many other products.
EconCore is preparing a variant of ThermHex technology for the production of PP honeycomb cores that are thermally bonded between PP skin layers reinforced with continuous glass fibers. These organic sandwich materials offer excellent stiffness to weight ratio and can be converted to final parts using fast and efficient processes such as thermoforming and overmolding - and can be produced online if needed. They offer superior light weight potential and significant cost advantages over more traditional composite and metal based solutions.
