Apolhya™ Solar, a thermoplastic with outstanding properties for photovoltaic panel encapsulation

09/21/2009    Press Release

At the 24th Photovoltaic Solar Energy Exhibition held in Hamburg from 21 to 25 September 2009, Arkema presents its latest innovation for the photovoltaics market: Apolhya™ Solar, a nanostructured thermoplastic polymer for the encapsulation of new generation photovoltaic modules. Apolhya™ Solar combines thermo-mechanical properties, adhesiveness, creep resistance, and perfect transparency.

Apolhya™ Solar is part of the Apolhya™ range, a new family of nanostructured polymers developed by Arkema. This thermoplastic is compatible with processes used to manufacture solar panels based on crystalline silicon or thin layers. One key advantage is that its processing requires no curing. This therefore saves time in the production process, while making end-of-life panels very easy to recycle.

Apolhya™ Solar offers an unrivalled set of properties compared to the other thermoplastics suitable for solar panel encapsulation. The nanostructuring of Apolhya™ Solar ensures excellent long-term transparency. Furthermore, thanks to its easy processing, its adhesion properties, its prolonged heat resistance (its creep resistance is excellent up to 120°C), its UV stability and its low permeability, Apolhya™ Solar is highly suitable for « thin-layer » photovoltaic panels, including flexible modules, and particularly for  continuous lamination processes.

A wide range of Apolhya™ Solar grades is available based on various melt temperatures, viscosity, transparency and barrier properties, while other grades can be tailored to specific requirements.

More information on www.apolhyasolar.com

Arkema also presents its set of brands at the service of photovoltaics: Evatane®, Luperox® Solar, Kynar® and Altuglas®. These innovative products are designed to extend the lifetime of solar panels, improve their performance and also reduce costs and time involved in their manufacture.

More information on www.arkema.com/photovoltaics

A global chemical company and France’s leading chemicals producer, Arkema consists of three businesses: Vinyl Products, Industrial Chemicals, and Performance Products. Arkema reports sales of 5.6 billion euros. Arkema has 15,000 employees in over 40 countries and six research centers located in France, the United States and Japan. With internationally recognized brands, Arkema holds leadership positions in its principal markets.