GE Plastics has introduced two new products, one of which is the Valox ENH resin, a new family of flame-retardant Valox thermoplastic polyester resins aimed at helping electrical/electronics (E/E) manufacturers and suppliers comply with regulations restricting the use and disposal of hazardous substances.

The other product it unveiled is GE’s LNP Verton Xtreme compound portfolio, a new platform that helps solve the drawbacks of dry-blending colorants, flame retardants, additives, and other effects in long-glass-fibre compounds.

Valox ENH resin
The Valox ENH resin - an environmentally progressive resin that meets the requirements for halogen-free parts - is based on polybutylene terephthalate (PBT), delivering better ductility and strength than other environmentally responsible flame-retardant PBT materials, and better electrical properties than standard flame-retardant PBT materials.
The European Union’s (EU) Restriction of Hazardous Substances (RoHS) directive restricts the use of polybrominated diphenyl ether (PBDE), as well as other hazardous substances. The Waste Electrical and Electronics Equipment (WEEE) directive requires OEMs and suppliers to remove plastic containing brominated flame retardants and treat it separately at end of life. There are widespread concerns about the release of corrosive and/or toxic gases from brominated flame retardants during a fire. GE’s Valox ENH resins offer best-in-class flame retardance without the use of brominated or chlorinated additives, meeting the requirements of these and other environmental regulations.
“The development of this new Valox resin family is the result of our strong focus on environmentally responsible materials, particularly for the E/E industry,” said Estelle Cheret, GE Plastics’ global Valox resin platform product manager. “In addition to helping customers meet current regulations covering brominated additives, we eliminated chlorine from Valox ENH resin products in anticipation of future restrictions. GE’s ecomagination initiative continues to produce innovative solutions that support environmental protection while helping our customers deliver competitive products.”
The first product in the Valox ENH resin family is ENH4550, a 25 per cent glass-filled grade that will be commercially available in Q3 2007.
GE Plastics’ new Valox ENH resin has a CTI (comparative tracking index) – the behavior upon short circuiting or overheating – of 325 volts compared to 200 volts for standard glass-filled PBT.

LNP Verton Xtreme compound portfolio
GE’s LNP Verton Xtreme compound portfolio has broken new ground with one-pellet solutions for enhanced colour, flame retardance (FR), and weatherability. This patent-pending technology improves batch-to-batch consistency and within individual parts by eliminating the need to blend two pellet types, which can lead to separation, settling, and other quality issues. LNP Verton Xtreme compound grades – XC for extreme color, XFR for extreme flame retardance, and XW for extreme weatherability – enable customers to achieve the excellent mechanical properties of long-glass-fibre reinforcement while boosting quality and consistency that can reduce overall system costs.
Jamie Tebay, structural product manager for GE Plastics, LNP, said, “GE Plastics has invested millions of dollars – including new extruders, equipment, and specific strand designs – to develop and commercialise the new LNP Verton Xtreme compound platform. This significant commitment demonstrates our dedication to the industry. GE Plastics’ value-added services, expertise, and next-generation products, allow us to meet the most stringent customer requirements for improved quality and consistency, exceptional performance, and system efficiencies.”