Rick Bell, a global development manager for Renewable Materials, DuPont Automotive Performance Polymers, joins a panel to discuss “Environmentally Friendly Interiors” on April 14 at 2 p.m. EST during the Society of Automotive Engineers World Congress in Detroit. He is responsible for the corporation's growing portfolio of high-performance renewably sourced materials.
“As the global automotive industry embraces the value of renewably sourced materials, it is important to engage in discussions throughout the value chain so that science can be put to work applying these materials to the right applications and developing even more products OEMs and consumers ultimately value,” said Bell.
In the last year, DuPont Automotive has seen several commercial adoptions of its breakthrough new renewably sourced materials. Most recently, Toyota’s adopted fibers made from DuPont™ Sorona® renewably sourced polymer for the ceiling surface skin, sun visor and pillar garnish of Toyota’s new model, SAI®. SAI® is an intensively ecological “compact luxury car” equipped with an overwhelming percentage of eco-plastics made from plant-based materials, which comprise approximately 60 percent of the car’s internal surface area.
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In the last year, DuPont Automotive has seen several commercial adoptions of its breakthrough new renewably sourced materials. Most recently,
Toyota’s adopted fibers made from DuPont™ Sorona® renewably sourced polymer for the ceiling surface skin, sun visor and pillar garnish of Toyota’s new model, SAI®. SAI® is an intensively ecological “compact luxury car” equipped with an overwhelming percentage of eco-plastics made from plant-based materials, which comprise approximately 60 percent of the car’s internal surface area.
“We have seen the number of new development programs double in the past year and we are working on several new product grades that will help ensure these ideas get to market quickly and – importantly – cost effectively,” said Bell. He further referenced the recent adoption of a plant-derived
resin radiator end tank developed with DENSO using renewably sourced DuPont™ Zytel® RS nylon, which can be found in some 2009 Toyota Camry vehicles.
Studies show that consumers are not only more willing to buy products that are made from renewably sourced materials, but they would pay more. In one
survey, conducted by Market Tools for DuPont, nearly seven out of 10 U.S. consumers (65 percent) are willing to pay more for products made with renewable resources.
DuPont led the industry with the first families of high-performance engineering resins based on renewably sourced polymers. Today, the portfolio includes renewably sourced grades of core polymers, such as Hytrel® RS thermoplastics polyester elastomer, Zytel® RS nylon and Sorona® EP thermoplastic polymer aimed at automotive uses such as lighting bezels, airbag doors, CVJ boots and critical connectors.
The two hour session during the SAE includes four experts throughout the value chain and is moderated by Ford, Inteva and Comusa. It is scheduled as part of Wednesday’s focus on Materials and is listed under the heading New Technology for Instrument Panels and Vehicle Interiors.
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DuPont Automotive offers more than 100 materials and products to the global automotive industry and through its global application development network is committed to delivering cost-effective solutions to help reduce vehicle weight for better fuel economy and CO2 emission reductions, to integrate part functionality to simplify assembly and eliminate cost; and help bring invention to market fast, better and more cost-effectively. For more information, visit automotive.dupont.com.
DuPont is a science-based products and services company. Founded in 1802, DuPont puts science to work by creating sustainable solutions essential to a better, safer, healthier life for people everywhere. Operating in more than 70 countries, DuPont offers a wide range of innovative products and services for markets including agriculture and food; building and construction; communications; and transportation.
Sai® is a registered trademark of Toyota.
Click here for high resolution image of Rick Bell.
Caption: Rick Bell, DuPont Automotive Performance Polymers global development manager – Renewable Materials.
Click here for high resolution image of the Toyota car interior.
Photo courtesy of Totota Motor Corporation
Caption: Toyota "Sai®" hybrid automobile incorporates DuPont™ Sorona® renewably sourced materials in the interior design.
