2024 SEAL Sustainable Product Award recognizes Elkem’s low-VOC, high-compatibility silicone innovation for automotive airbag coating.
Lyon, May 7, 2024 -- Elkem is pleased to announce that BLUESIL™ TCS 7538 LE was named as a winner of the 2024 SEAL Sustainable Product Award. The Sustainability, Environmental Achievement Leadership (SEAL) Awards honor companies and leaders across the globe that make measurable contributions to sustainability and develop innovative initiatives that will positively impact the environment.
BLUESIL™ TCS 7538 LE is a novel low-VOC (Volatile Organic Compounds) silicone formulation enabling textile coating operations, including airbag manufacturing, to combine enhanced productivity, durability and long-term performance with improved health & environmental profile. Specifically, it enables greater than 60% VOC reduction, while doubling the adhesion durability versus current materials (ca. 1000 vs. 500 cycles for typical durability levels) thanks to its ability to create durable adhesion immediately after coating as well as after aging on both washed and unwashed polyester fabrics.
“We are honored to receive the SEAL Sustainable Product Award for our latest textile coating technology, which helps improve the long-term performance of vehicle airbags while significantly reducing VOC emissions and delivering health and environmental protection benefits,” said David Mariot, PhD, Elkem Research & Technology Global Leader for Specialty Elastomers.
For nearly 30 years, Elkem’s silicone solutions for textile coatings have been used to improve the reliability of airbags. Silicone coatings provide excellent high-temperature barrier to protect car occupants from hot gases and allow controlled air retention in the airbag. The silicone's durable properties ensure good deployment and efficiency of the airbag throughout the vehicle's life.
The patented innovation by Elkem Silicones aligns with the 'safe and sustainable by design' (SSbD) European Commission Recommendation and can help meet German TA Luft regulation levels. It further demonstrates the progress against Elkem’s climate roadmap strategy which, in addition to reducing Elkem’s own emissions, includes developing specialized products and services that can be key enablers in the green transition, such as electrification of transportation, reduced energy consumption, increased production and availability of renewable energy, and replacement of oil-based materials.
About SEAL Awards
SEAL (Sustainability, Environmental Achievement & Leadership) Awards is an environmental advocacy organization that honors leadership through our business sustainability awards & environmental journalism awards while funding research and pursuing our own environmental impact campaigns. https://sealawards.com
For further information please contact:
Eileen.Jiang@elkem.com ou corinne.bechet@elkem.com
About Elkem ASA
Elkem is one of the world’s leading providers of advanced silicon-based materials shaping a better and more sustainable future. The company develops silicones, silicon products and carbon solutions by combining natural raw materials, renewable energy and human ingenuity. Elkem helps its customers create and improve essential innovations like electric mobility, digital communications, health and personal care as well as smarter and more sustainable cities. With a strong track record since 1904, its global team of more than 7,400 people has a joint commitment to stakeholders: Delivering your potential. In 2023, Elkem achieved an operating income of NOK 35.5 billion and CDP ratings of A on Forests, and A- on Climate Change and Water Security. Elkem is listed on the Oslo Stock Exchange (ticker: ELK), where the company is also included in the ESG Index. www.elkem.com
