TOKYO, JAPAN: Showa Denko K K (SDK) starts a preliminary test of a new plant to produce thermosetting bulk moulding compound (BMC) located in Zhuhai, China, marking a significant step towards the launch of the company’s second BMC production plant in China.
Construction of the plant was started in November 2015. The company plans to begin mass production of BMC at the new plant and marketing of the product at the start of 2017 after the trail run products pass customer’s quality inspections.
BMC is produced from using unsaturated polyester resin as the main component, rubbed together with glass fibre and other additives. It is put to numerous uses including headlamp reflectors, engine covers for car applications and precision mould parts for projectors.
In addition, the scope of BMC’s usage is expected to increase in the future. BMC is likely to be used as sealing material for power module housings and motors in home appliances including air conditioners, washing machines, and also as sealing material for motors in electric vehicles (EVs) and hybrid cars. On moulding of BMC parts, BMC is required to have thermal resistance, water resistance, electric properties, and dimensional accuracy.
Under its continuing medium-term business plan, “Project 2020+,” the company organises its business in functional chemicals including BMC into the category of “Growth-accelerating” business. SDK will aggressively expand its functional polymer business on the world market, positioning on Asia.
© Worldofchemicals News