Borealis and Borouge introduce fibre-based PP innovations

Borealis and Borouge announce the launch of Fibremod? - their new product family of fibre-based compound polypropylene (PP) innovations for the automotive and the appliance industry. Connected to the launch of Fibremod, Borealis announces the start up of a new long glass fibre line in Monza, Italy.

The Fibremod family of engineered short (SGF) and long glass fibre (LGF) compounds consolidates the Xmod? and Nepol? glass fibre brands under one common name. This portfolio evolution is done to streamline the product brand portfolio and to build the stage for the innovation pipeline of all future, fibre-based materials. The name “Fibremod” represents both the material category and the ability of Borealis and Borouge to transform or modify a specific grade to fit and exceed the needs and requirements of its customers. Fibremod will be the future product brand for all fibre-based, PP compound solutions for automotive applications as well as for white goods and small appliances. The former product brand names Xmod and Nepol will be discontinued with the launch of Fibremod. 

Fibremod innovations are supporting the automotive and appliance value chain in achieving its weight-saving and process cost-saving targets. The customised glass fibre reinforced PP solutions are at the cutting-edge of innovation, bringing lightweight, extra strength and impact performance to a wide range of applications. They also support more environmentally-considerate production by reducing processing temperatures and energy requirements when replacing alternative solutions such as polyamide (PA). 

Borealis’ proprietary Borstar? process technology enables Borealis and Borouge to tailor the highly engineered PP compounds to required stiffness aspects in order to meet the stringent needs of individual customer projects. For example, a unique, high performance glass fibre Fibremod solution was behind Volkswagen’s (VW) decision to become the first original equipment manufacturer (OEM) to switch from glass reinforced polyamide (PA) to SGF PP from Borealis for its air intake manifolds (1,4/63kW and 1,6l/77kW engines). The use of Fibremod created a 15% weight reduction, superior acoustic performance and greater production cost efficiency for VW and its Tier One supplier. Today, Fibremod compound solutions are used in an increasing variety of end uses, such as for instrument panel carriers, front-end modules as well as different under the bonnet and appliance applications. 

At the same time, Borealis announced the start-up of its new Monza plant which produces PP-LGF, a group of long glass fibre reinforced products processed by  pultrusion to achieve increased fibre length in both pellets and final parts. The glass fibres are typically arranged parallel in the pellets having all the same length as the pellet itself. The Monza production facility is the specialty plant for Borealis, where smaller lines allow for more flexibility and Nimblicity?. The new PP-LGF production line in Monza is the ideal addition to the Monza plant strategy to serve customers with more specialized products.

Borealis has 20 years experience in developing and producing this type of polypNike Air Max 97