OVERMOULDING TECHNOLOGY UNLEASHES NEW DESIGN POTENTIAL

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OVERMOULDING TECHNOLOGY UNLEASHES NEW DESIGN POTENTIAL
29 October 2004 - DuPont Engineering Polymers

Picture a bubble in a bottle. That’s the effect that can be achieved using the innovative new “overmoulding” technology patented by Estée Lauder and developed jointly by Estée Lauder, its suppliers MBF Plastiques and SAF, and DuPont Cosmetic Solutions.

“This breakthrough technology, consisting of a glass globe encased in DuPont™ Surlyn®, combines the chemical inertness of glass with the total design freedom and practical benefits of our advanced polymer. These include exceptional durability – Surlyn® is non-breakable and resistant to chips and marring – light weight and a pleasant sensual touch,” says Michel Decodts, Global Development Programme Manager, DuPont Cosmetic Solutions.

“The multitude of design options made possible by this development is very exciting,” he explains. “Intricate shapes and decorative effects, such as sophisticated colours, metallic and fantasy coatings, frosted and unusual tactile properties – most of which would be impossible or extremely difficult to achieve in glass only are easily produced by overmoulding with Surlyn®. Last but not least, there is the important advantage of cost-effectiveness.”

The idea to overmould glass came from Estée Lauder, which holds a patent on the concept. DuPont’s European Technical Centre in Meyrin (Geneva), Switzerland, with its broad technical and materials know-how, actively participated in the prototyping and commercial scale-up of this original concept and resolved one major technical challenge: to overmould glass at high injection pressure and elevated temperature without breaking or displacing the (hollow) glass insert. Surlyn® was the natural answer as it is extremely transparent and bonds easily to glass, making the bonding line almost invisible, even in thick-walled parts.

The first commercial applications of this overmoulding technology are an eyeliner and lip tint produced by MBF Plastiques of Oyonnax, France, for Estée Lauder. Both products were launched in the USA and Europe at the end of summer 2004. There is no doubt that this innovative technology has wide applications for all types of packaging using glass and will open the door to exciting design concepts.

http://plastics.dupont.com

About: DuPont Engineering Polymers
The DuPont Engineering Polymers business manufactures and sells DuPont Crastin PBT and DuPont Rynite PET thermoplastic polyester resins, DuPont Delrin acetal resins, DuPont Hytrel thermoplastic polyester elastomers, DuPont ETPV engineering thermoplastic vulcanizates, DuPont Minlon mineral reinforced nylon resins, DuPont Thermx PCT polycyclohexylene dimethyl terephthalate, DuPont Tynex filaments, DuPont Vespel parts and shapes, DuPont Zenite LCP liquid crystal polymers and DuPont Zytel nylon resins.

These products serve global markets in the aerospace, appliance, automotive, consumer, electrical, electronic, industrial, sporting goods and many other diversified industries.

Founded in 1802 science company DuPont operates in more than 70 countries. It offers a wide range of products and services for markets including agriculture, nutrition, electronics, communications, safety and protection, home and construction, transportation and apparel.

DuPont Electronic & Communication Technologies is a leading supplier of electronic materials, fluoropolymers, fluorochemicals and imaging technologies.

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