Düsseldorf, July 10, 2019 – Asahi Kasei’s copolymer polyacetal resin (POM) TENAC™-C Z4520 has been certified as an eco-friendly green material by the China Automotive Technology & Research Center (CATARC) for its outstanding low VOC emission performance. Due to its properties, the engineering plastic contributes to a better air quality in vehicles – combined with fewer health impairments as well as more comfort and safety for the passengers.
Due to its direct impact on passenger safety and comfort, the issue of in-vehicle air quality is be-coming increasingly important in the automotive industry. In this context, the reduction of VOCs (Volatile Organic Compounds) significantly contributes to an improvement of the cabin air quality. VOCs are carbon-based gases that can evaporate from plastic materials into the air at room temperature, especially in newly produced cars. In closed environments, these gases can lead to discomfort and health issues, such as headaches or nausea.
Especially China – the world’s biggest automotive market – is addressing this issue by tightening the government’s GB regulations („Guobiao“ – „National Standards“), which regulate the air quality in the vehicle as well as the allowed level of VOCs. Therefore, VOC requirements by the automobile manufacturers worldwide have become increasingly stricter in the recent years.
Asahi Kasei – a diversified global supplier of materials and technologies that contribute to the overall safety and comfort of vehicles – provides OEMs with solutions to this challenge. First and foremost with the company’s TENAC™-C Z4520 copolymer polyacetal (POM) resin: CATARC has recently certified the engineering plastic as an eco-friendly green material in recognition of its outstandingly low VOC emission level. At a ceremony at the China Automotive Materials (Xiqing) International Forum 2019 on 27 March 2019 in Tianjin, China, the research institute awarded the certificate.
TENAC™-C Z4520 has been manufactured at the plant in Mizushima, Japan, since 2004, and at Asahi Kasei POM Zhangjiagang Co., Ltd., a subsidiary in China, since 2014. Widely acknowledged to provide the world’s lowest VOC emission level in the industry, the special TENAC™ grade has been adopted around the globe as material for automobile interiors, for example for clips and lumbar support. In addition, it is also used for office equipment.
Ippei Araya, Senior General Manager of the Performance Plastics Division at Asahi Kasei: „We are honored that our TENAC™-C Z4520 has received the CATARC certification as an eco-friendly green material. This engineering plastic has already made the interior of many vehicle models around the world healthier and more comfortable for the passengers. Asahi Kasei will continue to contribute to safe and enjoyable mobility by supplying this product to key markets in Japan, China, and Europe.“
About CATARC
The China Automotive Technology & Research Center (CATARC) is a Chinese government enterprise that provides independent policy recommendations, performs environmental testing, and formulates technical standards. The scientific research institute was founded in 1985 to support the Chinese government in research activities in the automotive industry, among other things.
About TENAC™
TENAC™ is the brand name of Asahi Kasei’s polyacetal (POM) product group. The Japanese technology group is the only POM manufacturer to produce both homopolymers and copolymers. The engineering plastic is characterized, above all, by its dimensional stability, chemical resistance, ease of molding and extremely low emissions and is used in a large number of applications – including especially interior fittings in the automotive sector.
Keywords:Asahi Kasei, Tenac, automotive industry, emissions, low VOC, passenger safety, Catarc, plastics, green material, automotive interior