Impending crisis – PA 6.6: the GPA fears the chain break Polyamide66 Automotive Plastics Group chain break
by Fabian Tubiana
The Automotive Plastics Group is sounding the alarm about the PA 6.6 shortages and is calling on chemists and manufacturers to jointly search for solutions.
The situation was so far worrying, as reported by the Federation of Plastics and Composites in July. Polyamide66 Automotive Plastics Group chain break
She becomes serious. In any case in the eyes of the Automobile Plastics Group (GPA) which, in the middle of the Motor Show, fears the crash and consequently draws the alarm: the shortages of PA 6.6 material today put in great difficulty its 19 members.
Involved: the structurally insufficient production of adipronitrile (or DNA), essential component to the synthesis of PA 6.6, increasingly used in the automobile (under-bonnet, door handles …) for its high resistance to high temperatures. Only five plants in the world produce this DNA: one in France, one in Japan and three in the United States.
Zero visibility
“In 2018, 300,000 tonnes of DNA are missing to meet the needs of the sector. And we have no visibility on 2019. Polyamide66 Automotive Plastics Group chain break
Some of our Tier 2 adherent companies have already received letters from major chemistry groups informing them of the shutdown of supplies next year. Some orders have also not been honored, “moves Armelle Dumont, general delegate of the GPA.
The production of DNA is so fragile today, that the smallest grain of sand affects the whole chain (major forces, fire, low level of the Rhine …). In addition, producers seem to favor the textile and packaging markets. Polyamide66 Automotive Plastics Group chain break
Open the dialogue
The GPA therefore asks them to open new production lines in the short term and to secure their supply chain. Especially since maintenance operations are planned in some sites in 2019 and prices are up: + 40% since 2017, or an additional 1500 euros per tonne in 18 months. Polyamide66 Automotive Plastics Group chain break
With a raw material share in the final product of between 30 and 50%, the economic impact is considerable. Polyamide66 Automotive Plastics Group chain break
The GPA therefore wishes to open the dialogue.
Both with chemists to gain short-term visibility, and with automakers to help them find alternative solutions, including lightening the validation process, and carrying some of the financial effort. Polyamide66 Automotive Plastics Group chain break
