Revolutionary Nanotech PET Compound Enhances Lightweight, Durable Foams for Advanced Applications

A cutting‑edge PET compound, engineered with advanced nanotechnology, marks the first material of its kind to enable efficient production of PET foams for core components in sandwich structures. SABIC reports that the nanostructured additive masterbatch is ‘resin agnostic’, allowing it to be incorporated into resins beyond PET and positioning it for widespread industrial adoption.

LNP Colorcomp WQ117945 delivers superior nucleation control and uniform cell growth, reducing cell size and narrowing the distribution. These attributes lower resin uptake, which in turn cuts the weight of sandwich‑core foams and can improve shear strength and fatigue resistance. Industries such as marine, construction, packaging, and wind energy stand to benefit from this innovation.

“Our novel LNP Colorcomp WQ117945 compound may help to expand adoption of PET foam materials in a wide range of applications, from building insulation and cladding, to boat hulls and decks, to the core of wind turbine blades. In addition to improving PET foam’s mechanical properties, our technology helps reduce weight, which opens new opportunities for sustainability. For example, lighter foam core materials can allow designers to create longer, more‑efficient wind blades. Lighter materials also reduce environmental impacts from shipping. Working with our customers, SABIC continues to develop solutions that advance multiple aspects of performance and sustainability.” – Sunamita Anunciação, LNP Business Development Manager, SABIC

Wind turbine blades pose a growing environmental challenge. Their large size and complex composition often lead to landfill disposal. PET foam cores offer a strong, lightweight, recyclable alternative to traditional materials such as balsa wood and PVC foam. Weight reduction is critical in blade design, as longer blades capture more energy but add mass. LNP Colorcomp WQ117945 can reduce foam cell size by up to three‑fold and shrink cell‑size variability by a factor of five compared to conventional nucleating agents like talc, diminishing resin uptake and yielding lighter blades.

High‑density PET foams can rival balsa wood in strength while eliminating natural variability. As thermoformable polymers, PET foams grant greater design freedom and shape control than wood, and they offer a stable supply, cost‑effectiveness, consistent properties, and reduced resin absorption.

Beyond nucleation, SABIC’s nanotech solution functions as a rheological modifier that enhances melt strength and thermoformability, making it suitable for extrusion, injection, and bead foaming processes.