ELIX Polymers color laboratory receives certification from Renault design department

ELIX Polymers, a global leader in specialized styrene-based thermoplastics, has a wide product portfolio of precolored ABS and ABS blends for the Automotive Industry. Especially in interior applications, esthetics is key to differentiate product value and improve quality perception in the visible areas of cars. The color harmony needed for the different parts to match together highlights the importance of meeting strict color tolerances between different materials and batches.

Precolored materials have many advantages in contrast to masterbatch solutions for self-coloring, such as color stability, color differences between batches and risk reduction. ELIX has extensive expertise in developing colors based on OEM requirements, including colors and gloss targets using different surface textures. The ELIX laboratory has several tools, for instance, twin-screw extruders, molds with automotive OEM textures, colorimeters, light cabins and a Xenotest weathering chamber.

Recently, the ELIX color laboratory in Tarragona was certified by the Renault design department, which means that ELIX can self-validate new or existing colors with new materials according to Renault specifications and color approval procedures, instead of requiring an accredited third-party laboratory. Renault and ELIX have been working together for many years and several products from ELIX were approved in the latest Thermoplastics Renault Materials Panel (PMR). ELIX Polymers also offers Renault technical support at their Tiers where ABS is used for different applications, such as interior trim parts or chrome-plated exterior front grills.