31 May 2005

DSM ENGINEERING PLASTICS’ COLLABORATIVE APPROACH AND MATERIALS HELP AUTOMOTIVE CUSTOMERS RESOLVE THE PERFORMANCE VS. COST DILEMMA

The products and collaborative customer service of DSM Engineering Plastics are changing the way automotive manufacturers and suppliers use engineering materials. Product development at DSM is delivering materials that improve performance and reduce weight. Few industries work as comprehensively as automotive to control total system costs, a key strength in a large number of DSM developments. Finally, the number of DSM Engineering Plastics applications continues to grow thanks to the company’s willingness to work collaboratively, an approach which often leads to improved performance at lower cost.

High performance engineering materials from DSM Engineering Plastics include Stanyl® polyamide (PA) 46, Akulon® PA 6 and 66, Arnitel® copolyester elastomer (TPE), Arnite® polybutylene terephthalate (PBT), Xantar® polycarbonate (PC) Xantar C PC/acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS) and Stamylan® ultra high molecular weight polyethylene (PE). Automotives and tier 1 suppliers employ the many engineering properties found in these materials, including high stiffness, very high heat resistance, high modulus and toughness.

“DSM’s close involvement with major automotive makers worldwide allows us to meet engineering and cost objectives effectively and quickly by drawing on our extensive knowledge base,” said Bert Havenith, Akulon Product Manager at DSM. “Our approach to design fits well in the automotive world, as it allows the major automotive companies to take advantage of materials know-how and design support from our specialised, experienced engineers. We know that application and design support is critical to the success of every component in a car, and we are always willing to expand both the performance and the processing envelopes of our materials.”

Market Leader with Global Presence

DSM Engineering Plastics has emerged as a market leader for materials that meet extremely difficult technical and economic objectives. In addition, the company’s global presence supports customers world wide as they adapt to market dynamics. DSM moulding resins are produced in the US, Europe, India, China and Japan, with marketing support throughout all major automotive production areas.

Design Strengths

DSM brings a number of design strengths to automotive projects. The first, of course, is thorough familiarity with DSM Engineering Plastics’ standard materials, backed by the ability to create new grades for specific requirements. From design centres around the world, DSM offers computer-aided design and engineering (CAD/CAE) tools, predictive engineering programs for mould flow and process development, and other design support, all of which help collaborative projects carry through to successful completion.

In Europe, DSM has earned preferred supplier status or Class A supplier ratings at most of the leading component suppliers and auto makers. Globally, DSM consistently achieves 99% ratings on quality in the US, and in Japan the company is an approved supplier to the leading OEMs and Tier 1 manufacturers there. All DSM sites worldwide are QS-9000 certified, with European ISO/TS 16949 certification targeted in 2005.

Continued Application Development

At DSM, research and development breakthroughs have time and again reduced costs while improving performance and value. Among the many applications which benefit include:

• engine covers – high flow DSM PA6 grades enable both thinner walls and higher heat resistance than earlier materials

• timing gear tensioners – high stiffness, high heat Stanyl allows for space and cost saving designs while extending component life

• engine air management components – stiff yet compliant DSM materials handle higher pressures (positive and negative) than previous materials at higher temperatures, with less weight and better surface finish for better flow

• wear-resistant gears and actuators – DSM’s high torque capable Stanyl allows the most cost effective solutions for all gears operating above 85ºC

• airbag covers and housings – careful coordination of design and DSM

Reader enquiries

DSM Engineering Materials
30 Pasir Panjang Road #13-31
Mapletree Business City
Singapore 117440
Singapore

Notes for editors

About DSM Engineering Plastics

DSM Engineering Plastics is a business group forming part of DSM's Performance Materials cluster. DSM EP is a global supplier of Stanyl® PA46 and Akulon® 6 and 66 polyamides, Arnitel® TPE-E, Arnite® PBT and PET polyesters, Xantar® polycarbonate, Yparex® extrudable adhesive resins, and Stamylan® UH Ultra High Molecular Weight PE. These materials are used in technical components for electrical appliances, electronic equipment and cars, in barrier packaging films as well as in many mechanical and extrusion applications. The business group had annual sales of EUR 624 million in 2004. With Stanyl®, it is the global market leader in high heat polyamides.

Akulon®, Arnite®, Arnitel®, Stanyl®, Stamylan® UH, Xantar® and Yparex® are registered trademarks of DSM Engineering Plastics.