Solvay’s Xencor™ LFT chosen by Stajvelo for first all-polymer e-Bike

Solvay’s Xencor™ LFT compounds enable Stajvelo to make the world’s first e-bike out of advanced injection-molded composite materials. The innovative urban e-bike combines mobility, comfort and design and Solvay will have the e-bike on display at K 2019 in Hall 6 Booth C61.

Monaco-based Stajvelo selected Solvay’s long-fiber Xencor™ polyarylamide (PARA) compound based on its ability to meet stringent structural, mechanical, and aesthetic requirements. Xencor™ PARA significantly extends the performance capabilities of Solvay’s Ixef® PARA compounds, which have successfully replaced metal in medical devices, automotive exteriors, and small appliances where a highly aesthetic surface finish is required.  

“Stajvelo’s e-bike design embodies the hard-to-achieve balance between form and function, due in part to Xencor™ PARA’s unique combination of properties,” said Thierry Manni, Founder and CEO of Stajvelo. “Thanks to Solvay’s polymer expertise and processing technology support, we were able to design a manufacturing process with optimal function integration and time-saving assembly operations.”

Solvay’s Xencor™ LFT compounds typically contain between 30 to 60 percent fiber reinforcement, depending on the polymer and grade. The fiber constitutes a critical structural element by creating an entangled 3D fiber skeleton within the final molded part. The strong fiber skeleton provides vastly superior structural properties and dimensional stability compared to traditional highly-filled, short-fiber reinforced polymers.

Xencor™ LFT compounds are intended to bridge the price-to-performance gap between short fiber thermoplastics (SFT) and advanced composite materials. They combine high strength, outstanding crash/impact performance, thermal stability, very low creep, excellent surface aesthetics, and smooth processing characteristics.

“Xencor™ compounds are designed to replace metal in semi-structural applications that require greater performance than is attainable with SFT products and where metal is not a desirable option due to weight or per-part cost,” said Eric Martin, Global Manager for Xencor™ LFT compounds for Solvay’s Specialty Polymers global business unit.

Solvay’s Xencor™ LFT compounds are suitable for semi-structural applications in a variety of markets including automotive, advanced transportation, construction, industrial, and consumer, as well as sports and leisure.

Solvay will introduce the complete Xencor™ LFT product family during a presentation at K 2019 in Düsseldorf, Germany on Monday, October 21 at 11:30am in Hall 6 Booth C61.

™ Xencor is a trademark of Solvay
® Ixef is a registered trademark of Solvay

Solvay is an advanced materials and specialty chemicals company, committed to developing chemistry that addresses key societal challenges. Solvay innovates and partners with customers worldwide in many diverse end markets. Its products are used in planes, cars, batteries, smart and medical devices, as well as in mineral and oil and gas extraction, enhancing efficiency and sustainability. Its lightweighting materials promote cleaner mobility, its formulations optimize the use of resources and its performance chemicals improve air and water quality. Solvay is headquartered in Brussels with around 24,500 employees in 61 countries. Net sales were €10.3 billion in 2018, with 90% from activities where Solvay ranks among the world’s top 3 leaders, resulting in an EBITDA margin of 22%. Solvay SA (SOLB.BE) is listed on Euronext Brussels and Paris Bloomberg: SOLB.BB - Reuters: SOLB.BR), and in the United States its shares (SOLVY) are traded through a level-1 ADR program. Financial figures take into account the planned divestment of Polyamides.

Solvay Specialty Polymers manufactures over 1500 products across 35 brands of high-performance polymers – fluoropolymers, fluoroelastomers, fluorinated fluids, semi-aromatic polyamides, sulfone polymers, ultra-high performance aromatic polymers, and high-barrier polymers – for use in Aerospace, Alternative Energy, Automotive, Healthcare, Membranes, Oil & Gas, Packaging, Plumbing, Semiconductors, Wire & Cable, and other industries. Learn more at www.solvayspecialtypolymers.com.