Plastics as innovation drivers are still at the center of many new developments in lightweight design, particularly in the automobile, vehicle and aircraft sectors. Energy savings and new design options are just two of many reasons for the success of polymer materials. Natural fiber reinforced polymers based on renewable raw materials open up completely new solutions, also of relevance in view of current and future recycling provisions.

Safety-enhancing materials with effective, environment-friendly fire protection additives will widen the applications of many types of plastics and help develop new markets, for example in the electrical, construction and appliance sectors. Product optimisation for users through customised solutions for specific needs. Demand is growing
for high-performance compounds with the right mixture of pigments, stabilisers, flame retardants, antioxidants, foaming agents, etc. Highly innovative products made from these materials, for example, for the medical, electronic and IT sectors, are opening up great opportunities for diverse new markets.

Semi-finished products, technical parts and reinforced plastics

In processing, polymers benefit from a wide variety of possible modifications and different techniques to give materials attractive new properties. Higher value is achieved by improving thermal and mechanical properties, surface quality, etc. using fillers and stabilisers, nano particles, special coatings, crosslinking agents, etc.

The way forward in performance and cost efficiency is polytronics, a technology in which plastics perform electrical and electronic functions in intelligent components. Miniaturisation is a topic of growing importance for electronics, IT, medical technology and micromechanics. Component optimisation modelled on nature. Learning what works from nature. Bionics and polymer materials are a combination that will produce many interesting solutions in the future.