DuPont’s plant-derived Zytel 610 nylon resin debuts on DENSO Corp.'s new automotive radiator end tank. This marks the first use of DuPont renewably sourced plastic in mechanical components exposed to the hot, chemically aggressive underhood environment.
“The strategy of collaborating throughout the value chain is critical when cost effectively bringing high-value solutions to the market,” said Chris Murphy, global accounts director – DuPont Engineering Polymers. “This development truly illustrates a great way to get from today to tomorrow.”
DENSO engineering and DuPont R&D embarked on development of a new material for use in a higher performance radiator end tank that meets auto manufacturers’ needs for sustainable solutions. The new material, developed jointly by DENSO and DuPont in a proprietary process, contains 40% renewable content by weight derived from the castor bean plant, and is said to meet requirements for exceptional heat resistance, durability and road salt.
Production of the part for the global vehicle market begins this spring and DENSO has announced intentions to use the material in a wide range of products to reduce use of limited oil resources and reduce CO2 emissions in its processes to help prevent global warming.
“Today’s business climate – with demands for innovation in the face of intense cost pressures – is driving the engineering community to rethink the design and manufacture of automotive components and systems,” said Patrick Ferronato, global director, development and marketing -- DuPont Automotive Performance Materials. “It’s challenging us all to use design and engineering strengths to the fullest and to drive ‘engineering strategy’ beyond procurement price – at the end of the day, we must be cost-neutral at best, and collaboration for innovation is our best strategy to deliver economically and environmentally sustainable solutions.”
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