OREANDA-NEWS. Ashland (NYSE: ASH) received the Material Innovation Award at the 2016 Automotive Composites Conference & Exhibition (ACCE) trade show for the Arotran™ 805 resin system, a weatherable and pigmented SMC (sheet molding compound).

The Arotran 805 resin system is designed to address the unique issues OEMs face in creating high quality and durable external automotive parts, like truck beds. These include exposure to long hours of sunlight which can result in undesirable gloss and color loss. Further, the painting and finishing of parts after production can add work hours and substantial cost to an OEM’s operation. In addition, truck beds see heavy duty use in the field that can scratch away the paint and finish, resulting in exposed materials.

The 2017 Honda Ridgeline truck bed is the first high-volume automotive-exterior application of a weatherable and pigmented SMC. Weatherable SMC parts retain gloss and color despite years of direct exposure to sun, salt, rain and snow. The Arotran 805 resin system provides a molded in black color that eliminates the need for paint.

“The primary advantages of weatherable SMC for the OEM and end customers are environmental friendliness, improved dent- and scratch-resistance and exceptional value,” said Laura Gigas, Transportation Product Manager. “We are pleased to contribute to the many innovative aspects of the 2017 Honda Ridgeline truck.”

The through black color of the SMC means that scratches and dings don’t show in heavy duty applications. This material package is formulated using UV stable technology providing excellent color stability and gloss retention even after extensive weather exposure. Parts made from the Arotran 805 resin system will maintain gloss retention with minimal color change, even after 3,500 hours of UV exposure.

About Ashland

Ashland Global Holdings Inc. (NYSE: ASH) is a premier, global specialty chemicals company serving customers in a wide range of consumer and industrial markets, including adhesives, architectural coatings, automotive, construction, energy, food and beverage, personal care and pharmaceutical. At Ashland, we are more than 5,000 passionate, tenacious solvers – from renowned scientists and research chemists to talented engineers and plant operators – who thrive on developing practical, innovative and elegant solutions to complex problems for customers in more than 100 countries. Ashland also maintains a controlling interest in Valvoline Inc. (NYSE: VVV), a premium consumer-branded lubricant supplier.