Avient Corporation, a premier provider of specialty and sustainable materials solutions and services, announces the addition of flame-retardant (FR) grades manufactured without intentionally added PFAS-based raw materials to its portfolio of Complet PKE Long Fiber Reinforced Polyketone Thermoplastics. Manufactured and commercially available in North America only, they provide a UL 94 flame rating and structural integrity to manufacturers seeking alternatives to metal or underperforming short-fiber solutions.
These 30% or 40% long glass fiber (LGF) reinforced thermoplastics have a flammability rating of V-0 at 1.5 mm in both black and natural grades. Like other polyketone-based Complet PKE products, these new fire-retardant formulations offer high-impact performance, excellent chemical resistance, and low moisture uptake. These performance characteristics make them useful in products that require flammability performance, durability, strength, and dimensional stability, such as battery housings for power tools and industrial applications.
Beyond performance, various eco-conscious aspects of these long fiber thermoplastics (LFTs) bring additional value to the market. These glass-filled Complet PKE FR grades are formulated without PFAS-based raw materials, providing alternatives amid growing regulatory guidelines for these chemicals. Secondly, the use of the polyketone base resin offers a reduced product carbon footprint (PCF) compared to competitive nylon (PA) base resins (PA), helping to improve sustainability throughout the product life cycle. The PCF values of the LGF30 and LGF40 formulations range from 2.20 to 2.18 kg CO2 equivalent/kg product. These values were determined using Avient’s PCF Calculator, which is third-party certified by TÜV Rheinland and aligns with ISO-14067:2018 standards.
“It’s exciting to continue to innovate and push the envelope with this high-performance polymer bringing more advanced LFT solutions to market,” said Matt Mitchell, Global Marketing Director, Specialty Engineered Materials at Avient. “This combination of critical flame performance without PFAS, long fiber for high-impact performance, and polyketone for a lower product carbon footprint allows us to help customers improve their products while also lessening the collective impact on the environment.”
These formulations are not available for purchase and are not intended for use in countries outside of North America and South America.
