Initial situation: Injection-molded components for demanding optical functions

Phoenix Contact manufactures high-quality components using injection molding and needed a solution for the new generation of vehicles that combined optical precision with economical materials. The light guide was not only required to transmit color-variable signals, but also to distribute them evenly and clearly across the entire component geometry.

Goal definition: Homogeneous RGB light guide in polypropylene

The central technical task was to develop a light guide that produces consistent illumination in polypropylene. PP is robust and widely used in the automotive industry, but poses a challenge in optical applications—especially in terms of scattering behavior, color rendering, and uniform light distribution.

Why ROWA Masterbatch was chosen as a development partner

The project request was sent exclusively to ROWA Masterbatch. The reason: Phoenix Contact has regarded the company as a reliable problem solver for many years when it comes to sophisticated masterbatch solutions. The combination of materials science expertise, precision in application technology, and a high level of development depth made ROWA Masterbatch the preferred partner for this task.

Challenge: Lighting performance in a visually sensitive material

Achieving technically uniform light distribution in polypropylene is by no means trivial. The material tends to scatter light diffusely, which can result in light spots, color shifts, or uneven illumination patterns—a clear quality disadvantage for visual displays in vehicle components. This required a deep understanding of polymers, dyes, and light guidance.

The solution: Polymer-specific masterbatch

Close cooperation between the customer and the application technology team at ROWA Masterbatch enabled the relevant optical parameters to be analyzed precisely. On this basis, the ROWALID^® PE-A220A LD masterbatch, specially tailored to polypropylene, was developed.

The formulation ensures:

• balanced light scattering across the entire light guide,
• clear, precise RGB color reproduction,
• stable signal quality even under changing environmental conditions,
• reproducible results in the injection molding process.

ROWALID^® PE-A220A LD thus meets all technical requirements – and sets high optical standards at the same time.

Result: Precise samples and reliable project management win the day

From the customer’s perspective, the high precision of the samples supplied and the reliable, cooperative project management were decisive factors in the success of the project. The combination of technical expertise and implementation-oriented consulting contributed significantly to the fact that the ROWALID^® PE-A220A LD masterbatch is now a central functional element in the new charging socket protective cover.