As part of our commitment to the environment, Quantum have been working with AOC on the optimisation of a recycled PET resin for RTM Lite parts.

 The material has been subject to the same rigorous requirements as all of the resins we qualify for use and has undergone extensive testing to ensure that it consistently meets the requirements for GRP applications.   Commercialisation of this new recycled resin at Quantum is a world first. rPET-based formulations for high quality Automotive parts

It’s not uncommon to think that recycled resins are inferior, or ‘going green’ costs more.  Neither are true for parts that we supply using this new resin.  Improvements in productivity allow us to make it cost neutral for the finished part, and it has real-world performance benefits over the materials it has displaced.  This includes a higher heat deflection temperature, specifically making it well suited to outdoor parts which see solar heating.  The HDT is particularly important in exterior black parts which can see surface temperatures over 80 deg C in hot sunshine.

This new recycled PET resin adds another option for Quantum to offer customers for environmentally sensitive use of materials, adding to other recycled materials including recycled PET resin for hand layup and recycled PET foam reinforcements.  Last year we saved around 290,000 PET bottles (equivalent) from landfill.  This year it will be many more, and we continue to work towards growing that number as more customers realise the opportunity.