Ascend to Present on Under-the-Hood PA66 Solutions at ITB Plastic Powertrain Parts 2016

HOUSTON

Ascend Performance Materials will deliver a technical presentation on “Enhanced Hydrolysis & Thermal Resistant PA66 for Automotive Engine Cooling Applications” at the ITB Group’s Plastic Powertrain Parts 2016 conference on June 2 in Novi, Michigan. The presentation will be delivered by Dr. Ryan Hensarling, Ascend’s automotive technology leader, during the conference’s 9:40am session at the Sheraton Detroit Novi Hotel.

As fuel efficiency standards are becoming more stringent, automakers are responding by light-weighting their vehicles by replacing metal parts with plastic. Hensarling will discuss Ascend’s efforts to provide the automotive industry with grades of PA66 (nylon 6,6) that withstand hydrolysis and heat.

Ascend performed extensive customer needs mapping sessions across original equipment manufacturers, tier one suppliers and injection molders to translate these changing requirements into specific product needs. This target list of needs was used to develop a series of products designed specifically to give superior hydrolysis and thermal resistance for demanding automotive cooling system components. These newest grades of glass-filled PA66 materials demonstrate high levels of resistance to property degradation after long-term exposure in the harshest environments.

Ascend Performance Materials is one of the world’s largest fully-integrated manufacturers of PA66 resin. Ascend’s products are used in automotive cooling systems, interior and exterior systems, powertrain and under-the-hood components. The company is also the world’s leading provider of PA66 fiber to the airbag and tire cord industries.

“We continue to invest in research and development to better serve our customers in the automotive industry,” said Phil Jeszke, Ascend global automotive segment leader. “Our Vydyne^® PA66 high-performance products can help our customers build the cars of the future – meeting and exceeding increasingly stringent environmental regulations.”

Ascend will also exhibit at the conference and will show additional solutions with:

• Vydyne^® PA66 grades for automotive cooling system applications – these hydrolysis-resistant materials (HR grades) can meet hydrolysis-aging requirements of 3,000 hours at 120°C with improved property retention performance to exceed the increasing demands of global OEMs.
• New Vydyne^® PA66 glass reinforced (15-35%) grades for automotive, electrical and electronic components – these grades are electrically neutral, halogen-free, offer high-flow and low-plate-out and are laser-markable.
• A new Vydyne^® PA66 non-halogenated unreinforced FR (flame retardant) grade that offers best-in-class RTI (Relative Temperature Index) performance. This FR grade is part of a major upgrade of Ascend’s solutions for electrical and electronic components.

For more information on Ascend’s portfolio of PA66 solutions for the automotive industry, please visit our webpage.

NOTE TO EDITORS: ASCEND PERFORMANCE MATERIALS is a trademark of Ascend Performance Materials Operations LLC. This trademark has been registered in jurisdictions throughout the world, including the United States of America.

About Ascend Performance Materials

Ascend Performance Materials is a global premium provider of high-quality chemicals, fibers and plastics. Ascend is one of the world’s largest integrated PA66 producers, with its own in-house manufacturing facilities, ensuring total security of supply. Ascend’s product range has earned it an unequalled reputation for quality, innovative techniques and an enlightened approach to business that expands the horizons of possibility. With eight global locations and more than 3,200 people working at our sites around the world, Ascend has the inspiration, the expertise, the people and the attitude toward innovation to consistently deliver the right solution for customers.

Together, we’re making a difference.
Together, we’re inspiring everyday.

More information about Ascend can be found at www.ascendmaterials.com.

About SK Capital

SK Capital is a private investment firm with a disciplined focus on the specialty materials, chemicals and healthcare sectors. The firm’s purpose is to build strong and growing businesses that create substantial long-term economic value. SK utilizes its industry, operating and investment experience to identify opportunities to transform businesses into higher performing organizations with improved strategic positioning, growth and profitability as well as lower operating risk. SK Capital’s portfolio companies generate revenues of approximately $8 billion annually and employ approximately 9,000 people. The firm currently manages more than $1.5 billion of committed capital. For more information, please visit www.skcapitalpartners.com.

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Ascend Performance Materials
Alison Jahn, +1 713-210-9809
ajahn@ascendmaterials.com