Ascend Performance Materials Pitches Starflam X-Protect for EV Battery Safety in India

Ascend Performance Materials is working with Indian OEMs and Tier 1 suppliers to develop local applications for its Starflam X-Protect cross-linked polyamide technology, which could provide more than two minutes of additional protection during battery thermal runaway events. Anton Kumanan, Ascend's Technology Leader for India, discussed the technology at the India EV Conclave 2026, Autocar Professional reported.

How Starflam X-Protect Works

Starflam X-Protect uses electron-beam cross-linking to improve the thermal performance of polyamide materials. Conventional polyamide 66 begins losing stiffness as temperatures approach its melting range of approximately 240–260 degrees Celsius. Cross-linking changes the material's behaviour, allowing it to retain structural integrity at temperatures where conventional polyamides would lose their mechanical properties.

"It nearly becomes a thermoset," Kumanan said of the electron-beam treatment. The process involves moulding the polymer using conventional injection-moulding equipment, followed by an additional electron-beam treatment. The electron-beam dosage determines the degree of cross-linking, making process control an important part of component development.

One application being explored is the protection of components surrounding EV battery packs during thermal runaway. Kumanan said the material's ability to maintain structural integrity could provide occupants with additional time to escape. He indicated that the technology could offer more than two minutes of additional protection, although the actual performance would depend on the extent of cross-linking, part design and the validation carried out for individual applications.

Ascend is working with global automotive manufacturers on applications involving overmoulded busbars, which require electrical insulation and resistance to elevated temperatures. Kumanan said the material offers flame resistance while retaining colour stability at high temperatures. The company already has a portfolio of flame-retardant polyamides under Starflam which has more than 100 UL yellow cards, and cross-linking provides an additional level of temperature resistance beyond conventional flame-retardant formulations.

Ascend's Chennai Compounding Base

Ascend entered India in 2022 through the acquisition of Chennai-based Formulated Polymers, according to akta.pro company records. The company operates a compounding facility in Chennai, which caters to customers across India with reinforced and flame-retardant formulations.

Kumanan said Ascend is looking to manufacture Starflam X-Protect in India. The manufacturing process would involve Tier 1 suppliers moulding the components, followed by electron-beam treatment at industrial facilities. According to him, the required cross-linking infrastructure is already available in India at industrial scale and Ascend is working with some of them.

Ascend is also developing local engineering capabilities like CAE and Moldflow through its presence at IIT Madras Research Park, where it works with academic researchers and industry specialists. Kumanan said the objective is to provide Indian customers with material engineering and application development support rather than operate solely as a polymer raw material supplier. With technical teams in Chennai, Pune and Gurugram, the company is looking to work more closely with OEMs and component manufacturers on thermal management, lightweighting and high-temperature applications.

Kumanan invited automotive manufacturers and Tier 1 suppliers to collaborate on developing and validating these materials for Indian applications, including components intended for global vehicle programmes.