Celanese and Li Auto launch world’s first ultra-low emission POM material to improve cabin air quality in electric vehicles.
Celanese Corporation, a global leader in specialty materials and chemicals, has partnered with Li Auto, a prominent Chinese new energy vehicle manufacturer, to unveil the world’s first ultra-low emission Hostaform® POM XAP®3. This advanced polymer material is being applied to interior components in Li Auto vehicles, particularly in air vents, signifying a major advancement in enhancing air quality inside vehicle cabins.
The new Hostaform® POM XAP®3 represents the latest generation in Celanese’s line of low-emission polyoxymethylene (POM) materials. Originally introduced in 1998 as the first low-emission copolymerized POM, this third-generation innovation integrates Celanese’s proprietary Functional Unified Synergy Enhancement (FUSE) technology. FUSE enhances performance by maintaining the material’s mechanical integrity while significantly reducing emissions — achieving up to a 90% reduction in formaldehyde emissions when measured against current industry norms under standardized testing conditions.
To commemorate this launch, Celanese and Li Auto hosted a formal ceremony underscoring their collaborative efforts to push material innovation forward in the automotive sector. Kevin Liao, Vice President of Engineered Materials at Celanese, emphasized the significance of the partnership, noting that it has led to meaningful technical breakthroughs in lowering emissions from automotive components. “By working closely with Li Auto, we have made meaningful strides toward reducing vehicle emissions, supporting the sustainable future of the automotive industry,” Liao said.
Li Auto has become the first automaker in the world to implement Hostaform® POM XAP®3 into production vehicles. The use of this material allows for near-zero formaldehyde emissions from air outlet components under everyday driving conditions. Combined with Li Auto’s advanced in-cabin air purification system, the material improves air quality and enhances comfort for passengers — meeting growing consumer demand for healthier, more comfortable in-car environments.
According to Litao Chen, Head of the Cabin Department at Li Auto, cabin air quality is a vital aspect of user experience in modern smart vehicles. “Our partnership with Celanese reflects our shared commitment to innovation and customer safety. It helps us deliver the comfort and assurance our users expect,” Chen remarked.
Jichao Duan, Head of the Materials Department at Li Auto, further noted that adopting Hostaform® POM XAP®3 is a landmark in Li Auto’s journey toward environmentally responsible materials. “We are dedicated to continuing our work on material innovation that supports the evolution of our vehicle offerings,” Duan stated.
This launch marks only the beginning of a broader strategic collaboration between Celanese and Li Auto. Moving forward, both companies intend to explore additional high-performance material applications across various vehicle systems, including interiors, exteriors, and electric drive units. This partnership blends Celanese’s deep expertise in engineering materials with Li Auto’s leadership in intelligent and electrified vehicle technology, supporting the sustainable and high-quality development of China’s rapidly expanding new energy vehicle market.
