2021 Buick GL6 Debuts Kraton’s Injection Molded Soft-Skin Material
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The 2021 Buick GL6 received a mid-cycle refresh that included a completely redesigned interior with a new driver-oriented dual display screen and the addition of a 48V mild-hybrid powertrain. Those weren’t the only changes that were applied to the Chinese market people mover, though, as it also features a revolutionary new interior material from Kraton called Injection Molded Soft-Skin (IMSS).
Kraton says its new IMSS material uses Hydrogenated Styrenic Block Copolymers (HSBC). Unlike the traditional PVC-based soft skin materials that are often seen in automotive applications, HSBC polymers allow injection molding of large, thin-walled soft skin parts like instrument panels. In addition, these materials “provide lower odor, fogging, VOCs, better aging, subsequently improved safety performance, and lower specific gravity,” the company says. They also contain no added plasticizer, phthalates, or cross-linking agents, making them a bit more environmentally friendly as well.
“SAIC-GM has been committed to the application of innovative materials technology to provide consumers with a more comfortable and environmentally friendly driving experience,” a director at the SAIC-GM technical automotive center said. “Compared with traditional PVC skin, IMSS can further improve the interior environment and reduce odor and VOC concentration in the passengers’ compartment. Being the first company in the world to apply this technology underscores the importance SAIC-GM places on the consumer experience.”
Kraton says its IMSS material helps reduce the manufacturing time by up to one-fifth over a typical PVC soft skin material, which is important given the rising popularity of soft-touch surfaces in vehicle interiors in place of hard plastics. The Buick GL6 is the first-ever vehicle to feature mass-produces Kraton IMSS material and the company expects more car models to utilize the more eco-friendly material in the near future. The company also says that it has “established technology licenses with several other premier compounders worldwide to make this technology available to all automobile manufacturers,” as its adoption in the industry becomes more widespread in the coming years. That means that even if Kraton doesn’t have an existing supplier relationship with a certain OEM, it will still be able to use the new material in its vehicles.
“It’s a growing trend in the auto industry to introduce soft surfaces replacing hard plastic interiors,” concluded Bas Hennissen, Kraton’s commercial VP. “IMSS technology offers considerable cost and performance advantages over the existing soft skin technologies, with a better sustainability profile.”
Neither GM-SAIC nor parent company General Motors have said if they will use Kraton IMSS material in other future product offerings.
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I recall back in the mid-90’s when GM came out with a soft touch material that was kind of stretched over the dash. For the life of me, I can’t recall what they called it at that time, but it was supposed to be the best thing going out there. The few cars I recall it being in were the Buick Skylark and Regal. I’m sure it was in many more, but those are the two I recall. It looked very nice and gave them more options for the interior design. However, it seemed to pull away after years of being in super cold and then super hot climates. This sounds like that same type of thing but newer and greener. Hopefully it will last and work well in order to reduce the harder plastics.
Hard plastics hold up better to kids and work gear.
Well, it should find its way to the Chevy lineup. Hard plastic everywhere.
In past years, I think the worst I’ve seen was in the Jeep/Dodge/Chrysler’s from around 2007 or so. They were terrible and I didn’t think anyone could be worse. I was wrong: Toyota! Every time I get into a later model Toyota (or even the Honda) Ubers now, I’m reminded of the Chrysler 200 interiors. I actually think that most Toyota’s are worse yet. But then the powers at Chrysler made the decision around 2011 or 2012 to spend just a little more money for the interiors and it paid off in spades. Some Chevy’s do have a lot of plastics, but not as bad as the others I’ve mentioned.
What’s wrong with hard plastic? It’s safe, easy to clean, easley replaced, cheaply replaced, will probably outlast the car…I have been in Hyundai cars with “fake” suede that’s absolutely impossible to keep clean and it’s like a lint roller everything gets stuck to it, leather and vinyl are fine for car interiors… especially if you have kids that’s interior is going to get thrashed anyway. What happened to the days of the good old 1980’s rubber/plastic hard dash roll up windows and they still sold millions…oh and kids back then used to climb on station wagons/minivas so plastic is the best interior because it holds up for years. If I want luxury I will buy a Cadillac if I want family transportation I will get the van/cuv with hard plastic!
New car smells sell cars.
At what point is GM gonna change the name of Buick to Avneir in China and just drop the brand in the U.S.A.? They really don’t have anything left other than a couple of rebaged Chevrolet crossovers.
Personally I would prefer a plastic that I could clean and keep the straight. For the seats leather is always nice. My Buick is a combination of cloth and leather and yes if you spill coffee it does stain which is a shame
To bad that the Buick GL6 is not offered as AWD in the America’s.