Extrusion International 2-2024

36 Extrusion International 2/2024 NPE2024 “Materializing Ideas” – The Latest Advancements in Plastic Materials for the Fast and Economic Realization of Demanding Projects LEHVOSS Group, the leading provider of high-performing plas- tic materials, will participate this year at NPE in Orlando. To stress the significance of the US market and US customers, the LEHVOSS US team will be heavily supported by a strong presence of Material Ex- perts and Top Management from Germany. Attendees at NPE will have the opportunity to explore the comprehensive portfolio of highly advanced polymer materials – Com- pounds and Masterbatches – de- signed for a broad range of appli- cations and needs across various industries. Participants will have the opportunity to discuss with the LEHVOSS experts at the booth economically and ecologically op- timized solutions for their specific challenges and can learn about the latest trends and demands also from the European and Asian market. LEHVOSS will present materials of its cutting-edge high-performance compounds and masterbatches, demonstrating the LEHVOSS inter- pretation of "materializing ideas" and the effective realization of con- cepts into tangible reality. The main exhibit for this trade fair is a perfect example how LEHVOSS with its partners materi- alizes ideas: The Buddy X1, is an in- jection-molded frame for an e-bike made of a LUVOCOM ® carbon fiber compound. The material, specially developed for the frame, shows a 60% higher rigidity than competi- tive materials and it can replace typ- ical epoxy / carbon fiber structures currently widely used in the higher end bike market. The frame is fully recyclable and shows a carbon foot- print reduction of up to 64% com- pared to an also recycable alumi- num frame. In February 2024, three E-bikes mastered all challenges in an extraordinary practical test – the Xtreme Tech expedition, a 1,400 ki- lometers (900 miles) ride in Morocco under the leadership of the well- known adventurer Mike Fuchs, or- ganized by LEHVOSS and supported by many well-known industry part- ners. Frames and other components made of thermoplastic compounds from LEHVOSS easily withstood all mechanical and weather-related stresses. A propeller for large agricultural drones is also on display. This is a perfect example how weight reduc- tion and outstanding mechanical properties – maximum strength and stiffness – have been combined with a good economy and significant improvement of customer value is generated. By consequent appli- cation of light weight design in all parts the drones achieve 20 to 40% longer flight times, allowing larger areas to be covered in less time and making life for farmers easier. Light weight and weight reduc- tion while carefully balancing the mechanical properties is also a key LEHVOSS topic in the area of mas- terbatches & additives. With newly developed blowing agent master- batches for injection molding and extrusion the addition of just 1% of masterbatch allows to produce Photo: Ride through the desert regions of Morocco with e-bikes frames made from LUVOCOM® XCF