Asahi Kasei Plastics North America Blog

12% Lighter Sunroof Frames & 24% Cost Cut with Thermylene™ PP-GF45%

Written by Tom Hanvey | Nov 19, 2025 2:45:00 PM

Introduction

Sunroof frames must combine stiffness, UV durability and low VOC emissions in one molded assembly. Traditional PET-GF/MF-35 grades deliver rigidity but add weight, require lengthy drying and risk surface degradation. Thermylene™ PP-GF45% offers a glass-filled polypropylene solution that cuts frame mass by 12%, reduces component cost by 24% and simplifies molding—all while delivering UV stability and low VOC output ​.

Weight & Cost Savings

By converting sunroof front- and rear-beam frames from PET-GF/MF-35 to Thermylene PP-GF45%, teams achieve a 12% mass reduction per frame and 24% lower component cost versus LGF PP, ASA or PBT alternatives ​. Those savings flow directly into material-spend reductions and lighter assemblies without any tooling changes.

Capex Reduction & Ease of Processing

Thermylene PP-GF45% eliminates the need for extensive drying equipment and secondary coatings, delivering a 47% capex reduction on processing infrastructure ​. Its no-dry requirement and engineered flowability let molders fill complex beam geometries in a single shot, reducing cycle variability, energy use and maintenance downtime.

UV Durability & Low VOCs

Thermylene PP-GF45% grades are formulated for excellent UV performance and emit low VOCs during molding—addressing both exterior-component longevity and environmental-regulation targets without extra post-treatments ​.

Sustainability & Circularity

Switching to Thermylene PP-GF45% cuts annual resin consumption and eliminates energy-intensive drying steps, reducing embodied CO₂ and plant energy use. Its halogen-free polypropylene base supports straightforward end-of-life recycling, helping sustainability teams hit lightweighting and circularity KPIs in one material swap.

Next Steps

Stop over-engineering your sunroof frames with heavy, high-VOC grades. Contact our technical-sales team now to:

  • Request Thermylene™ PP-GF45% samples for your existing sunroof molds
  • Review simplified processing guidelines—no drying or coatings needed
  • Plan a trial run to validate 12% weight and 24% cost savings

Ready to improve the performance of your parts in automotive applications?   Contact us today to learn more about how our engineered plastics can power your next project.