Asahi Kasei, a diversified Japanese multinational company, will present its newest concept car AKXY2 for the first time in Europe at K 2022 from October 19-26 in Düsseldorf, Germany (Hall 8a, Booth E23). Utilizing a broad variety of materials and technologies, the vehicle showcases the company’s cross-divisional expertise throughout the entire value chain. Other highlights at this year’s booth will be innovative particle foams, bio-based filler materials and sustainable engineering plastics.
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AKXY2 made its debut on May 25, 2022 in line with Asahi Kasei’s 100th anniversary. It demonstrates how the company applies expertise across throughout the entire value chain, from raw materials and production technologies to the usage of recycled and recyclable materials. Virtually everything that can been seen, touched or felt in the vehicle is either manufactured or co-developed by Asahi Kasei. The car features technology that touches the senses, improves safety and ensures the highest functionality while proposing solutions to reduce the environmental impact of automobiles.
All windows are made of outsourced hard-coated polycarbonate through a manufacturing method developed by Asahi Kasei in 2002 that uses CO2 as a raw material for its production. Today, 15% of the global polycarbonate production uses this production technology. To enable polycarbonate for applications in automotive windshields, Asahi Kasei is currently developing a hard-coating technology that equips polycarbonate with a UN ECE R43*1 compliant resistance to abrasion and weatherability. Replacing glass with this polycarbonate will significantly reduce vehicle weight and extend EV driving range.
The interior surfaces are covered by Dinamica®, a premium microfiber resembling suede partially made of recycled polyester – manufactured by Miko, an Italian subsidiary of Asahi Kasei Group company Sage Automotive Interiors. Sage Automotive Interiors can also provide other more sustainable fabrics utilizing raw materials that range from recycled PET, bio-based PET, natural blends, and ocean waste. An improved lifetime of materials is another way to achieve a greener mobility. All fabrics can be made anti-viral and anti-bacterial, as well as fluid-repellent and stain-resistant.
AZP™, a transparent optical polymer on the interior display features an ultra-low birefringence*2 and ensures a perfect screen visibility without rainbow effects. The interior is also featuring light technology, using semi-transparent and backlit fabrics made of PET, but also ultra-thin plastic-optical fibers woven into different surfaces.