Röhm: PMMA for cars, lights and household appliances

PMMA Plexiglas of Röhm’s brand, Darmstadt, is a versatile plastic that provides, among other things, high light transmission and weather resistance. It is light, has a high surface hardness, is easy to process in all thermoplastic processes and allows a high degree of reproduction accuracy. With 15 production sites, Röhm is also a trusted partner worldwide and leads the expansion of capabilities, both in production and in technical service in all relevant areas.

Climate protection and the circular economy are among the main themes at this year’s K. “These tasks require a global effort: We all have to take responsibility for our own climate, our community, and our limited natural resources,” says Hans-Peter Hauck, Operations Director at Rohm. As one of the world’s leading commercial methacrylate manufacturers, Röhm wants to stop causing greenhouse gas emissions by 2050 and therefore produce in a climate neutral way. The first achievement on this path is the “Track 2030” initiative, which aims to significantly reduce carbon dioxide emissions from the manufacture or sale of rum products.

“High-performance plastics can make an important contribution to the tasks of our time,” explains Hawke, and emphasizes: “Sustainable Plexiglas by design.” PMMA molding compounds are not only easy to recycle, but their weather resistance makes them durable to use and thus contribute to the careful use of resources.

With PMMA, home appliances become design objects: surface optimization, lighting design, and screens hidden by the blackboard effect enable special functions. Photo: ROM

High temperature resistant lighting solutions

Whether components with small depths or more powerful light sources: with PMAA molding compounds, Röhm keeps pace with advances in lighting technology. Crystal clear luminaires, those with light-conducting structures, diffuse and light-diffusing luminaires can be produced for a variety of purposes. With its latest proprietary molding compound, Plexiglas Optical HT, Röhm finalizes the compromise between high optical quality and high-temperature suitability for continuous use. The material combines both requirements and is therefore suitable for contemporary product design, for example for lenses for high performance LEDs and for long light guides.

Taillights as brand

As early as the mid-1950s, PMMA replaced the glass covers for taillights that were in use until then. Over time, small functional lights have morphed into large, meticulously designed components of the brand’s typical light signatures – Röhm has developed its bespoke range of proprietary molding compounds to match. In addition to colorless or signal-colored transparent materials, diffuse light scattering variants are available. Depending on the product, they have different dispersion properties and different levels of transparency. Molding compounds are easy to process – even with modern processes. For example, laser welding expands the freedom of taillight design because it connects angled components with small joints.

Impact-resistant material for the front of the car

The front of the car changes: long light guides, panels and high-gloss emblems replace chrome. Durable, shock-modified materials are required specifically for frontal use. For luminous applications, the special forming compound Plexiglas Resist AG 100 meets optical and mechanical requirements. For high-gloss panels, on the other hand, the Plexiglas Hi-Gloss NTA-5 in the front area is a solid and at the same time resource-saving alternative for components that need to be painted later. The high level of weather resistance allows for a consistently high-quality look, which has been established, for example, by the opaque panels around the car.

Attractive design and smart functions

Demands for the aesthetics of household appliances are constantly growing, especially since the kitchen is increasingly becoming a living area. PMMA moldings can upgrade household appliances of all kinds – whether as a permanently high-gloss surface, as an illuminated design or operating element or as a black-panel effect display that is almost seamlessly integrated into the chassis. When it’s off, only a glossy black frame appears. When turned on, the screen then convinces to reproduce true colors.

www.roehm.com

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