Editor’s Note: Mel Ettenson, editor of Global Plastics Letter (www.globalplasticsletter.com), will be contributing regularly to the MDM Blog on topics of interest to the plastics industry and those connected to it.
Bayer MaterialScience AG, a producer of polymers and high-performance plastics, has developed a coating for its Makrolon polycarbonate (PC) sheet material making it suitable for use in automotive glazing. Having just passed a major Taber abrasion test after running through a commercial car wash once a week for three years, its use in automotive sun roofs, followed by side window glazing, is assured. Windshield applications could follow.
This breakthrough technology will offer immense weight savings and thus significant fuel efficiencies since PC plastic is approximately 50% of the weight of comparable glass.
This material and market application may open up new sales opportunities for plastic sheet distributors … they may be able to participate in automotive glazing and the windshield replacement channels of distribution – a major new market, heretofore served by the glass industry.
Probably in the next decade, this will open up new supply chain opportunities in the automotive supply business.
