Borealis showcases ground-breaking solutions for polyolefin-based automotive applications at IZB supplier show

Hall 5 Stand 119

An award-winning, pioneering all-polypropylene (PP) rear-seat carrier is among the many innovative applications Borealis is showcasing at IZB, the International Suppliers Fair in Wolfsburg, Germany this October.

Borealis, a leading provider of innovative, value creating plastics solutions, is at the show to highlight the benefits of its pioneering PP materials to key decision makers in the automotive industry.

Visitors to Stand 119 in Hall 5 can experience why Borealis materials, such as Daplen™ PP resins and Xmod high performance short glass fibre-reinforced compounds, are among specifiers' top choices in the development of interior, exterior and under-bonnet parts that meet the manufacturing, performance, weight-saving and fuel-reduction challenges facing the automotive industry. Breakthroughs in single-material solutions taking the spotlight include:

1. All-PP rear-seat carrier – An all-Xmod solution is replacing a polyurethane and steel hybrid previously used by a major European car maker. The new design, in a model due to be launched later this year, is 35 percent lighter than its predecessor, taking around 4 kg off the weight of the car. The concept should also yield significant cost savings in production, thanks to a simplified molding manufacturing process.

2. Skoda Fabia interior - The interior quality and visual appeal of the new Skoda Fabia are enhanced with the use of three different Daplen PP grades, for the dashboard, visible structural parts integrated into the dashboard, and door panels – as well as for the trunk cladding. Scratch resistance, a balance of stiffness and impact strength, thermal expansion, gloss, emissions, odour and fogging were all key issues that had to be tackled in the development of the parts. To cope with cost pressures, moulders also focused strongly on processability and reduced scrap rates.

3. Smart fortwo body panels - The second generation of this ground-breaking Daimler Group car is the first production vehicle in the world to have all vertical body panels manufactured from PP. Borealis developed Daplen ED230HP to meet Smart's targets for improved environmental performance and higher quality aesthetics compared with the original version. The six injection moulded PP exterior body panels (front end, rear end, bonnet, tailgate, doors) contribute to an overall weight reduction in the car of 15 percent. They also provide a better fit and finish, with reduced gap between parts and higher surface quality, as well as an excellent impact/stiffness ratio.

4. Audi TT bumpers - The front and rear bumpers of Audi’s new TT are made from Daplen ED223AE, a 20 % mineral and elastomer modified PP compound for injection moulding with an excellent impact/stiffness ratio. The superb surface aesthetics, very low CLTE thermal expansion values and excellent paint adherence were among the other key determinants in choosing this material.

“Borealis has achieved a leading position in solutions for such critical aspects of automotive design as “zero gap” fits for bumpers and off-line painted body panels”, says Franz Zängerl, Business Development Manager Automotive at Borealis. “We are committed to supporting the automotive industry’s efforts to meet the manufacturing, performance and environmental challenges of the future. Current and planned investments in research, development and production are further reinforcing our ability to provide the high performance materials required by automotive markets.”

Investments include the recently opened PP plant in Burghausen, Germany – incorporating Borealis' pioneering Borstar® PP 2G technology - a new Borstar pilot plant in Schwechat, Austria, the recent groundbreaking for a EUR 50 million expansion of Borealis’ Innovation Headquarters in Linz, Austria, and a massive investment programme at Borouge 2 in Ruwais, Abu Dhabi, where Borealis’ joint venture with ADNOC, Borouge, is developing a fully integrated petrochemicals complex.

For more information meet Borealis at Stand 119 in Hall 5 at the IZB in Wolfsburg or visit www.borealisgroup.com.

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