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Advanced and innovative polymeric composites for automotive electrical cable applications
In July 2020, ACI – Automotive Compounding Industry, Ltd., in partnership with CeNTI (Center of Nanotechonology and Smart Materials) began the research and development of an innovative project in the field of new polymeric compounds – A.I. Polymer.
This project consists in the development of two new polymeric compounds with the main objective of reducing the weight of cables in vehicles, thus reducing CO2 emissions.
One of the compounds to be developed is a polymeric compound that directly replaces the traditional metallic components with shielding effect by a compound with improved electrical conductivity, ensuring the reduction of electromagnetic interference.
Simultaneously, ACI with its vast experience and know-how, developed another polymeric compound lighter and more ecological through the integration of additives in order to enhance the added value of this new solution, through the integration of additives that allow a superior performance of light and ecological flame retardancy.
Throughout the project, technical and scientific uncertainties related to the selection of raw materials, formulations and laboratory tests.
The project was divided into 5 phases and had a duration of 30 months.
Throughout the project management and coordination actions were carried out.
The technical specifications of the compounds to be developed were defined, preliminary studies were carried out and samples were studies and laboratory development of samples of the new polymeric compounds. After the characterization of the samples, the formulations with the most promising results were selected and evaluated the performance of the samples at the industrial level.
In a last step, prototypes were produced and the characteristics evaluated in order to verify that the
objectives of the project were met.
The project will end on January 1, 2023. With the results obtained so far it is expected that to obtain a composite with good environmentally friendly flame retardant properties and with a density 1.10g/cm3 and also a polymeric composite with improved electrical conductivity capable of replacing metallic cable components and replace the metallic components of cables and eliminate electromagnetic references in cables.
ACI has made significant investments in the Mexico and Romania factories and now it is time to expand capacity and product families in Tunisia!
We are pleased to announce a new capacity extension at the Tunisia plant, including both XLPE and Silicone lines. The new extrusion lines are scheduled to start up by the second half of 2023, which will allow the company to supply high quality and competitive material in the region. Our goal is to reduce CO2 emissions by reducing deliveries from Portugal; which is just a starting point for our group!
Perplastic Romania has a new XLPE line and a new product family in its portfolio.
We would like to announce that the new XLPE line at our plant in Romania is up and running from the third quarter of 2022. The new line has the capacity of 3500 tons per year and is ready to supply our customers in the region, which will help reduce CO2 emissions by avoiding deliveries from Portugal!
ACI invests in capacity extension in the whole group!
ACI has made significant investments in the Mexico and Romania factories and will also be made for the Tunisia factory.
We would like to announce that the new silicone line in our Mexico plant is up and running from the second half of 2022; which allows us to introduce a new family of products into production at our Mexico plant. The new line has the capacity of 500 tons per year and is ready to supply our customers in the region from a closer destination, which will help reduce CO2 emissions by reducing deliveries from overseas factories!
