Trinseo meets rising demand for durable smart meter components

Trinseo responds to the growing needs  for more durable utility smart meters that  effectively monitor  energy consumption and stand up to the task. Electricity and gas resource suppliers are going for advanced polycarbonate resins in Utility Smart Meters, which provide a digital interface between the power facility and the site of consumption.

These Utility Smart Meters are composed of multiple parts, all with specific and strict property requirements. Trinseo’s answer to industry demand is timely: Smart Meters are replacing traditional utility meters at a staggering pace, driven by increasing worldwide government regulations that require conversion to this technology. According to Navigant Research, even with the U.S. slowdown, smart meter vendors report increasing business in Western Europe that will account for 93 million new meters by the end of 2020; not including additional and significant installations in Asia Pacific.

Through its diligent development efforts and close collaboration with customers, Trinseo has developed solutions to meet the exacting material regulations of Utility Smart Meters manufacturers with its polycarbonate-based solutions.Trinseo’s EMERGE PC Advanced Resin portfolio is made up of customizable grades that offer very high ductility and durability over a wide temperature range. In addition, these high-performance thermoplastic materials possess the otherwise difficult-to-achieve performance properties for each of the device’s essential components such as toughness and weather/UV resistance, excellent transparency and durability, high heat resistance of up to 135 degrees Centigrade and high performance with electrostatic dissipation. These properties provide additional safety and security to the operation of the Smart Meter, as well as enhance its overall aesthetic appeal.

Trinseo EMERGE PC Advanced Resin portfolio consists of a glass-reinforced ignition-resistant polycarbonate designed for both the terminal block, the case & internal parts and exceeding the IEC IEC62052-11 requirements.