Solvay Unveils Sustainable Innovations for E-Mobility

Solvay Delivers Sustainable Innovation for E-Mobility

Solvay is accelerating the pace of bringing products to the automotive industry with an entirely new generation of Amodel® polyphthalamide (PPA) materials that target higher performance and sustainability demands for advanced electrical and electronic applications in e-mobility.

In the Supreme series, Amodel® PPA AE 9933 and AE 9950 are engineered for e-motor and inverter busbars operating at 800 volts and above. They combine class-leading comparative tracking index (CTI) ratings with high thermal cycle shock resistance across -40 to 150°C. As a breakthrough over conventional PPA technology, they will maintain their CTI values over time even after temporary exposure to peak temperatures exceeding 150°C.

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The new halogen-free flame-retarded Amodel® Bios HFFR R1-133 and HFFR R1-145 meet the growing trend toward integrating e-motor, power electronics and gearbox into a single consolidated electric drive system. With a CTI of >600 volts, heat resistance of >120°C and excellent dimensional stability, these grades enable the design of highly compact systems using miniature components. Additionally, they provide UL94 V0 flammability ratings without the need for halogenated flame retardants. The halogen-free formulation addresses safety concerns in cases of uncontrolled thermal deviation while also minimizing the risk of electronic corrosion.

Additionally, Solvay presents Amodel® Bios AE R1-133, an eco-friendly grade specifically developed for surface-mount data connectors that can be re-soldered without swelling. Compared to standard PPA, the material's higher impact resistance and solder-line strength allow designers to further reduce the wall thickness of connectors, achieve savings of up to 50 percent on printed boards and provide more space for other electronic devices.

Brian Baleno, Automotive Marketing Manager for Solvay Specialty Polymers, said "Amodel® Supreme and Bios are generating high levels of interest among e-drive system designers, including e-motors, power electronics and electronic coolant pumps. Beyond adding value by enhancing the thermal and electrical performance of e-mobility components in these systems, the new additions to the Amodel® polymer family are gaining broader acceptance as manufacturers strive to achieve their ambitious sustainability targets."

Amodel® PPA Supreme is currently regarded as the highest-performance thermal and electrical PPA on the market, while Amodel® PPA Bios is a partially bio-based long-chain molecular structure that has the highest glass transition temperature (Tg) compared to existing bio-sourced long-chain PPAs on the market, as well as the lowest global warming potential (GWP).

As part of its One Planet sustainability commitment, Solvay has reduced the CO₂ footprint of Amodel® PPA by 30 percent since 2013 and uses 100 percent renewable energy in PPA production at its global manufacturing facility in Augusta, Georgia.

Amodel® is a registered trademark of Solvay.

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