SABIC launched four new copolymer resins that comply with the European railway standard for train seating. Designers can benefit from these new material solutions, which not only meet the new regulatory requirements but also provide expanded opportunities to create sleek seating designs. Compared to thermosets and aluminum, the new ELCRES resins offer lighter weight and efficient processing without requiring secondary operations.

To achieve a seamless aesthetic look in an all-in-one seat unit or a design with a separate back shell without painting, SABIC offers precision color matching for its extrusion grade and injection molding grade.

“Since the EN45545 standard came into effect, the rail industry has faced challenges in obtaining compliant thermoplastic materials – and SABIC has been proactive in providing solutions,” noted Brian Rice, Senior. Manager, Global Product Management, LNP/NORYL, Specialties, SABIC.

“With our new LNP ELCRES FST products, we not only met customers’ high expectations for compliance, performance, aesthetics and manufacturability, but we also addressed their sustainability goals with bio-based versions. With multiple grades to choose from, manufacturers can once again leverage the advantages of thermoplastics in their seating applications.”

Fernando Cerqueira, CEO of Monte Meão said, “We needed an injection molding material that complies with the safety requirements set forth in the EN45545 standard for railway seating and offers long-term durability for our customers. SABIC’s LNP ELCRES FST2432 copolymer provided a good combination of physical properties and a flexible processing window.”

“Our new LNP ELCRES FST copolymers are the result of a major technological breakthrough that helps ensure compliance with stringent fire protection requirements of the European railway standard,” commented Luc Govaerts, Director, Formulation & Application, Specialties, SABIC. “By bringing together a proprietary copolymer material and an enhanced additive package, our team delivered the outstanding flame-smoke-toxicity performance that customers are seeking. We took this major development effort one step further by formulating drop-in, bio-based versions of both grades to offer the industry new options for increasing the sustainability of rail seating.”