SABIC INTRODUCES NEW LNP™ ELCRES™ FST RESINS THAT COMPLY WITH THE MOST STRINGENT FIRE SAFETY STANDARDS FOR RAILWAY INTERIORS

• New LNP^™ ELCRES^™ FST copolymer grades meet the highest R1 rail safety requirements for window masks and interior wall claddings in hazard levels HL2 and HL3 according to EN 45545-2.
• These new copolymer grades along with LNP™ THERMOCOMP™ additive manufacturing compounds are being featured at Innotrans in Berlin, September 24-27
• Visitors to SABIC Booth 255, Hall 5.1, can view multiple components and demonstrators meeting R1 and R6 requirements.
• ISCC+ certified renewable formulations of new LNP ELCRES FST grade are available to help customers reach their sustainability goals

SABIC, a global leader in the chemical industry, will showcase its growing range of LNP ELCRES FST copolymer resins which can be used for large train interior applications at InnoTrans 2024, Booth 255 in Hall 5.1. This portfolio covers a range of compounds for potential use in extrusion, thermoforming, and injection molding.  LNP THERMOCOMP compounds well suited for use in 3D printing of large interior and exterior rail parts will also be featured. These specialty thermoplastic offerings address the demanding fire safety specifications for Flame, Smoke and Toxicity (FST) according to the European Norm (EN) 45545-2 with R1 requirements and the highest hazard levels HL2 and HL3 for railway applications.

Maureen MacDonald-Stein, Director, Portfolio Strategy and Marketing, SABIC Polymers, Specialties BU, explains, “We have expanded the family of LNP ELCRES FST resins with new grades meeting the highest safety requirements for international railway standards – R1-HL2/HL3 to anticipate the growing need for train interior materials that combine uncompromising fire safety with attractive aesthetics, cost efficiency, and recyclability.”

SABIC is highlighting the superior performance benefits of LNP ELCRES FST materials with several commercial applications, prototypes and demonstration parts on display.

LNP ELCRES FST copolymers deliver distinct advantages over stamped metals, thermosets and glass, such as greater design freedom, system cost reduction, up to 20% less weight and easier end-of-life recycling. Their custom colorability in various opaque shades can eliminate painting. Furthermore, the excellent chemical resistance of these resins helps reduce environmental stress cracking caused by aggressive cleaners.

The expanded LNP ELCRES FST offerings build-on the success of SABIC’s first injection molding grade introduced two years ago that meets R6-HL2 specifications for seating components. The new R1-HL2/HL3 compliant grades, FST2734E and FST2733E respectively, also include extrusion compounds used for large interior wall cladding parts, partitions, and a complex window mask.

In addition, SABIC is showcasing a luggage rack based on the R1/HL3 transparent LNP ELCRES FST3403T resin and an exterior front hatch cladding component 3D printed with R1/HL3 LNP THERMOCOMP AM DC0041XA51 compound. This additive manufacturing compound can help railway networks minimize their lead times and inventory for large interior and exterior replacements parts.