Polyplastics (Tokyo / Japan; www.polyplastics.com) has developed a range of POM resins that emit low quantities of volatile organic compounds (VOCs). The “Duracon” low-VOC acetal grades have been especially designed to meet the latest regulations governing the concentration of VOCs in car interiors.

The new grades include Duracon M90-45LV, with enhanced weather resistance; NW-02LV, which is a high-sliding material with excellent friction and abrasion characteristics and low-sliding noise; GH-25LV, a low-gloss glass-reinforced resin; and the impact-resistant TF-10LV. Two others are TR-20LV, a high-rigidity/low-warpage grade, and high-flow material, M270LV.

Polyplastics is also targeting the low-VOC grades at other applications such as office automation equipment. According to the company, the downsizing of PCs, photocopiers and projectors is causing internal temperatures to rise, creating the potential for larger quantities of VOCs to be released.

The materials also contribute to an improved production plant environment. This is due to less VOC emissions at the moulding site as well as a reduction in mould deposits, cutting the frequency of mould maintenance, Polyplastics says.