A Class-A surface material with low emissions and excellent scratch resistance, SoForm™ products are available and being considered for 2022 Model Year automotive interior programs, as well as industrial durable goods.
Asahi Kasei Plastics North America, Inc. commercialized and trademarked new engineered resins as part of their diverse Thermylene family. The Thermylene brand represents Asahi Kasei’s family of specialty chemically coupled glass fiber reinforced polypropylenes.
SoForm, a product of the Thermylene® family, features excellent scratch resistance with haptic surface feel and improved durability compared to competitors. The Soform technology also offers key benefits such as low gloss, low emissions, chemical resistance and structural performance .
“Durability coupled with low gloss and improved haptic surface feel are key to interior performance and customer end use criteria now more than ever; SoForm provides an attractive solution to meet these demanding requirements” states Marketing and Business Development Manager, Jane Horal.
The SoForm product is available in 10%, 15%, 20% and 25% glass fiber filled grades. All are commercialized and available in either natural, color at the press or pre-colored for injection molding.
Automotive application areas for these novel grades include, but are not limited to, instrument panels, door panels and associated touch points (map pockets, console sides, mirror surrounds and seat trim).
SoForm also excels in the Industrial segment with applications such as furniture armrests and durable wear surfaces. The durability and haptic surface finish enable both automotive and industrial segments to provide customers with improved longevity and luxury.
Currently , soft touch paint, over-molding or a foam in place with skin has been required to meet these customer demands. SoForm is an alternative to improve the design, manufacture, logistics and value chain of the production process. As SoForm eliminates the needs to paint, over-mold or foam in place, it can provide additional cost-savings and eco-friendly options for the manufacturer.
For more information regarding SoForm and other Asahi Kasei Plastics North America products, visit www.akplastics.com or contact a member of our media relations team.
About Asahi Kasei Plastics North America, Inc.
Asahi Kasei Plastics North America, Inc. (“APNA”) is a leading manufacturer of innovative, high performance, engineered polymers and chemically coupled polypropylene resins in North America. The product line includes Xyron (modified polyphenylene ether), Thermylene (specialty chemically
coupled polypropylene), Leona (nylon 6/6, 6/6+6i), Tenac (homopolymer & copolymer acetal) and Thermylon (nylon 6, 6/6). APNA currently has three locations in North America and over 400 employees.
About the Asahi Kasei Corporation
The Asahi Kasei Group contributes to life and living for people around the world. Since its foundation in 1922 with ammonia and cellulose fiber business, Asahi Kasei has consistently grown through the proactive transformation of its business portfolio to meet the evolving needs of every age. With more than 40,000 employees around the world, the company contributes to sustainable society by providing solutions to the world’s challenges through its three business sectors of Material, Homes, and Health Care. For more information, visit www.asahi-kasei.com.
Media Contact – North America:
Asahi Kasei Plastics North America / Asahi Kasei America
Samantha Kortas
900 East Van Riper Road, Fowlerville MI 48836
Tel: +1 (517) 223-5253
Mail: [email protected]
Media Contact – Europe
Asahi Kasei Europe GmbH
Sebastian Schmidt
Am Seestern 4, 40547 Düsseldorf
Tel: +49 (0) 211-2806-8139
Mail: [email protected]