Röhm GmbH

Röhm, a supplier of methacrylate chemistry, once again gets awarded gold status by the EcoVadis rating agency. EcoVadis is the world's provider of sustainability rankings and examines various sustainability criteria in the areas of the environment, labor and human rights, ethics and sustainable procurement. “At Röhm, we take sustainability seriously in terms of active environmental protection, social responsibility and good entrepreneurship,” said Hans-Peter Hauck, chief operations officer, Röhm. “We are very proud of this new award and recognition of our work.” Röhm is also able to make continuous progress in the EcoVadis rating. A particular focus last year was the additional carbon management rating, in which Röhm made its climate and CO₂ reduction targets by 2050 and the roadmap transparent. This year, EcoVadis recognized Röhm's high standard of carbon management with 'advanced' status. “This confirms the direction of our climate agenda and the course we have taken to reduce our CO₂ emissions,” added Hauck. Röhm aims to provide transparent information about the goals, measures and results of its sustainability activities. In addition to participating in the EcoVadis rating, the company also publishes an annual non-financial statement (NFS). The NFS follows the globally recognized Global Reporting Initiative standard and contributes to the Sustainable Development Goals of the United Nations.

The Society of Plastics Engineers (SPE) Automotive Division (Troy, Mich., U.S.) reveals the winners for its 52nd annual Automotive Innovation Awards Gala, chosen out of 28 finalists. The announcement was made on the evening of Nov. 8, at Burton Manor in Livonia, Mich., U.S. The Body Interior Category winner was also this year’s Grand Award winner. The Grand Award winner is selected from the winners of each of the eight award categories by a panel of industry-expert Blue Ribbon Judges. This year’s winners are: Mega Bin/Frunk By converting from compression molded painted sheet molding compound (SMC) to injection molded MIC LFT-PP to produce this large Class A composite frunk — currently the industry’s largest — mass was reduced 48%, productivity was increased owing to a 37% cycle time reduction, the cost and environmental burden of paint were eliminated, seal interfaces were improved, secondary routering of holes is no longer needed and the frunk is fully recyclable at end of life. A 4,000-ton injection press and a tool equipped with a 16-drop hot runner system are used to mold parts. Thermoplastic Splitgate This is reported to be the world’s first all-thermoplastic split gate rear-closure system, which is delivered to the assembly line as a ready-to-install module. The complex, deep draw (>80 millimeter) design offers improved perceived quality at lower mass, NVH and cost versus metals, and is offered in a two-tone execution. By commonizing grades between the liftgate and the benchgate and focusing on sustainability, parts were reduced from nine to three, and only two materials are used (injection molded LFT-PP and thermoplastic olefin/TPO). The CHMSL and tail lamps were carried over from the pickup model. Category: Materials Battery Module Side Plates OEM Make & Model: 2024 General Motors Co. Chevrolet Corvette E-Ray Tier Supplier/Processor: Novares Group Material Supplier/Toolmaker: RTP Co. / Liberty Molds Inc. Material/Process: RTP 299 K X 138337 E Black / injection molding By replacing metals with RTP 299 K X 138337 E Black Para material to injection mold the side plates for this battery module, extremely flat parts with high dimensional accuracy, stiffness and strength were achieved in a complex geometry. The high-modulus, creep-resistant FR polymer eliminated the need for compression limiters and electrical isolation films, yet withstood extreme pressures from cell expansion and met all mechanical requirements. Additionally, four components were reduced to one and many functional features were incorporated in the patented side plates that would not have been possible in metals. Mass was reduced by 37% and cost by 55%. Seat Module This patented injection molded module for seats incorporates both temporary and permanent holding features to control cables and dramatically reduce both components and labor at the seat manufacturer. Cables are delivered to the Tier 1 pre-routed on the module plate, eliminating the brackets, cable ties and clips typically used to control seat cables, and greatly reducing labor for an assembly operator. The module also reduces rework and scrap due to cable misalignments. Additionally, lever pull effort for consumers is reduced because direct cable routing enables use of shorter cables. Category winner: Safety Intumescent Terminal Covers OEM Make & Model: 2023 General Motors Co. Cadillac Lyriq and GMC Hummer Tier Supplier/Processor: Auto-Kabel Group/ Molded Precision Components Material Supplier/Toolmaker: Pyrophobic Systems Ltd. / NA Material/Process: Lithium Prevent 200 PVC / injection molding A formulated flexible and intumescent PVC is designed to prevent arcing during thermal runaway events in high-voltage EV batteries. The high-temperature, high-voltage insulator is used to injection mold various terminal caps and barriers. Safety is increased during thermal runaway since the material maintains high dielectric strength, reducing arcing risk and ignition of gases, and forms a structured char barrier, helping reduce spread of fire from one module to another. One-Piece Thermoplastic Frunk This is the first time a 20% PCR recycled material has been used in a color-matched, MIC, Class A structural funk application. Versus virgin TPO, the more sustainable grade lowered density slightly and offered better impact at -15°C. Concurrent redesign reduced component count from six to one, including eliminating two metal brackets, saving 3 kilograms of mass, increasing cargo volume and functionality, improving water management, reducing cost and labor and saving an estimated 1,125 tons of CO2 annually. PCR content is sourced from yogurt cups and packaging materials. This year’s Vehicle Engineering Team Award (VETA) went to 2024 Chevrolet E-Ray and a team from General Motors Co. and its suppliers that developed the electrified, all-wheel drive (eAWD) sports car. Learn more about it here. Kevin Pageau, owner and president of International Marketing Alliance, and a major contributor to the SPE Automotive Division Lifetime Awards Program, earned the 2023 Lifetime Achievement Award. The Hall of Fame award went to acrylic rear lens, used on the 1948 General Motors Co. Cadillac Series 60, 61 and 62 models.  The lens were made possible with the invention of polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA) by Dr. Otto Röhm in 1932, replacing ground glass and enabling a renaissance of new lighting designs for all OEMs. The companies involved in developing the first acrylic rear lens include General Motors Co. (OEM); molder processor Fisher Body Division; and Röhm & Haas OHG, now known as Röhm GmbH, as the material supplier. General Motors accepted the SPE Automotive Hall of Fame Award on behalf of the original team that worked to develop this application.

A proven special plastic, EUROPLEX O from Röhm, is available for the orthopaedic technology sector following a product relaunch. The transparent sheet material is ideal for manufacturing high-quality orthoses, shoe inserts and other orthopaedic aids. Meeting all the requirements for plastics used in medical applications, it is also easy to process with standard tools. Thermoformable at low temperatures “One major application advantage is that EUROPLEX O can be bent and moulded at temperatures as low as 90°C without pre-drying, while remaining more stable than many comparable materials,” explains Christian Wacker, product manager at Röhm. Because of the material’s high mechanical stability and impact resistance, shoe inserts and orthoses made from EUROPLEX O are virtually indestructible. Its good thermoformability allows orthopaedic technicians to adapt the material perfectly to the anatomy and, if necessary, make alterations later. The transparent plastic makes it easy to spot pressure points that need to be readjusted. For comfortable, robust and inconspicuous orthopaedic aids Shoe inserts, orthoses and other orthopaedic aids made from EUROPLEX O are not only very comfortable to wear, but also highly inconspicuous thanks to the material’s unobtrusive colour. The smooth, pore-free surface is skin-friendly, hygienic and easy to care for. Due to the material’s chemical resistance, it withstands sweat and skin care products and is easy to clean. Moreover, there is no need for wearers to remove their orthoses for X-rays, as EUROPLEX O allows X-rays to pass through freely. EUROPLEX O at COMPAMED 2023 Transparent EUROPLEX O sheets are available worldwide in the size 2000 mm x 1250 mm and in thicknesses of 1.5 mm to 4.0 mm. There will be an opportunity to discuss all matters relating to EUROPLEX O face to face at the medical technology trade fair COMPAMED, which will take place in Düsseldorf on 13-16th November 2023.