The new line is capable of production of honeycomb cores in widths up to 1.2m. At the same time, the unique design of the line allows for processing of other thermoplastic materials such as polycarbonate, polyamide or polyetherimide (high-performance-thermoplastics, HPT).
The developments of RPET honeycomb technology have been triggered by an increasing demand and market shift towards the use of more sustainable materials.
RPET honeycomb cores are made of up to 100% recycled post-consumer and post-industrial waste. These honeycomb cores can be laminated with conventional FRPs (fibre-reinforced plastics) into performing sandwich panels and parts. In combination with PET or PET composite skins, they offer a recyclable, sustainable and lightweight panel solution.
The group, consisting of EconCore in Belgium and Germany’s ThermHex Waben, focuses on production of PP honeycomb core and PP composite sandwich panels. The team is well advanced in developments across a wide range of industries, including automotive, transport, construction and, with regard to HPT honeycomb, also aerospace. These sectors are developing a growing appetite for lightweight materials produced sustainably.
ThermHex Waben’s new offering of lightweight PP honeycomb panels consist of PP sandwich panels, an in-line produced laminate of PP honeycomb core and PP/glass fibre skins. They are said to be an excellent (up to 80% weight saving) replacement of plywood, monolithic panels and other conventional materials. They exhibit an outstanding performance-to-cost ratio, easy recyclability, and – for applications requiring parts of complex geometries – they can be compression-moulded in a one-step process.
