Asahi Kasei is to give its latest concept car, the AKXY2, its European debut in October at the K 2022 show in Dusseldorf, Germany, showcasing a variety of sustainable materials.
For example, all of the car’s windows are made of outsourced hard-coated polycarbonate, produced using a manufacturing method developed by Asahi Kasei in 2002 that uses CO2 as a raw material for its production. 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-compliant resistance to abrasion and weatherability. Replacing glass with this polycarbonate will significantly reduce vehicle weight and extend EV driving range.
Meanwhile, the concept’s interior surfaces are covered with Dinamica, a premium microfiber resembling suede partially made of recycled polyester, which is manufactured by Miko, an Italian subsidiary of Asahi Kasei Group company Sage Automotive Interiors.
Finally, AZP, a transparent optical polymer used on the interior display, features an ultra-low birefringence and ensures a perfect screen visibility without rainbow effects. The interior also features light technology, using semi-transparent and backlit fabrics made of PET, but also ultra-thin plastic-optical fibers woven into different surfaces.
