25 Oct 2004
Rhodia Engineering Plastics delivers an integral solution for archery products to Decathlon
Lyon, October 20th, 2004 - Decathlon, Europe’s leading sporting goods producer and retailer, has a strong reputation with both amateur and professional sports enthusiasts, as an innovator, able to conceive high quality yet affordable products.
In a common quest for innovation and quality, Decathlon in collaboration with Rhodia Engineering Plastics has developed in Technyl Star™ the handle for the new GEOLOGIC® Bow. An innovation capable to outperform handles traditionally made of wood or wood-plastic hybrids.
“In Rhodia, Decathlon found the right partner for integral part development, and in Technyl Star™ an outstanding material flexible enough to adapt not only to the strict design requirements but also to provide the mechanical and esthetical requirements of such an innovative product. Technyl Star™ furthermore allows savings in weight and production cycle.” said Thomas Cocqueel, Geologic Product Engineer at Decathlon.
Technyl Star™’s mechanical properties met the Decathlon team’s specifications and resulted in a handle which was sturdy, as well as having an attractive appearance. To reach this, Rhodia’s technical team worked closely with Decathlon engineers in order to capture and understand the key characteristics and requirements for the application, resulting in an integral solution, from basic material selection to processing and mould modelling.
“By working closely with the Decathlon team, we were able to identify the key technical drivers for this application,” said Sylvie Salier, Application Development Manager at Rhodia Engineering Plastics. “This led to an innovative integral solution which included material selection, CAD analysis and production process optimization. When, combined, this yielded the perfectly performing part.”
“For the end-user benefits are clear, since now bow and arch amateurs have access to a bow with the latest high-tech performance at an affordable price.” Lionel Adenot, Marketing Manager Géologic
Technyl Star™ is a semi-crystalline polyamide that thanks to its outstanding flow characteristics, delivers superior processing and function advantages to numerous applications for Automotive, Consumer & Industrial Goods and Electric & Electronics.
Reader enquiries
Rhodia Engineering Plastics
Avenue Ramboz
F-69192 Saint-Fons Cedex
France
Notes for editors
Rhodia Engineering Plastics is one of Rhodia Polyamide activities. Headquartered in Lyon, France, Rhodia Engineering Plastics is the world wide specialist in polyamide engineering thermoplastic materials. The company has a sales network that spans the world, with manufacturing plants and technical development centers in Europe, North America, South America and Asia. For further details about the Company, visit Rhodia Engineering Plastics’ website at www.rhodia-ep.com
Rhodia is one of the world’s leading manufacturers of specialty chemicals. Providing a wide range of innovative products and services to the consumer care, food, industrial care, pharmaceuticals, agrochemicals, automotive, electronics and fibers markets, Rhodia offers its customers tailor-made solutions based on the cross-fertilization of technologies, people and expertise. Rhodia subscribes to the principles of Sustainable Development communicating its commitments and performance openly with stakeholders. Rhodia generated net sales of €5.5 billion in 2003 and employs 23,000 people worldwide. Rhodia is listed on the Paris and New York stock exchanges.
For further details about the Group, visit Rhodia’s website at: www.rhodia.com
Editorial enquiries
Christine Bourguignon
Rhodia Engineering Plastics
christine.bourguignon@eu.rhodia.com
Alan Flower
EMG