Japanese technology company Asahi Kasei will present its latest concept car, the AKXY2, for the first time in Europe at the K 2022, from October 19-26 in Duesseldorf, Germany. 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 the company's K stand will include innovative particle foams, bio-based filler materials and sustainable engineering plastics. AKXY2 made its debut in 2022, in line with Asahi Kasei's 100th anniversary. It demonstrates how the company applies expertise throughout the entire value chain, from raw materials and production technologies to the use 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 vehicles. All windows are made of outsourced hard-coated polycarbonate through a manufacturing method developed by Asahi Kasei in 2002 that uses CO_2 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 standard-compliant resistance to abrasion and weatherability. Replacing glass with this polycarbonate will significantly reduce vehicle weight and extend EV driving range.
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