— By Plasteurope.com correspondent — 

Japanese engineering plastics producer Polyplastics (Tokyo; www.polyplastics-global.com) said it has launched an eco-friendly Plastron long fibre reinforced thermoplastic (LFT) grade. The new material features reduced weight, higher rigidity, higher impact strength, and good damping, the company noted.

Suitable for use in audio components, housings, and industrial components with rotors or vibrating parts, Plastron LFT RA627P is a composite of polypropylene and regenerated, uninterrupted 30% long cellulose fibres that exhibits high strength and elasticity, according to Polyplastics.

The company added that its new grade offers 10% lower density than 30% short glass fibre reinforced PP while maintaining a similar flexural modulus. Its specific rigidity is higher than the 30% short fibre reinforced PP grade yet offers a large loss coefficient, meaning it has damping properties suitable for audio equipment components, Polyplastics said.

Related: Polyplastics PP compounds reinforced with long cellulose fibres

The regenerated long cellulose fibres in the new grade reduce the carbon footprint by 30% compared with 30% short glass reinforced PP, the company said.

Polyplastics added that it is developing new grades made from recycled PP.