11 Oct 2002
Owens Corning Automotive Enhances Portfolio of Interior Acoustics Offerings with VersaMat® Thermal and Acoustic Insulating Material
Novi, MI October 11, 2002 – The automotive business of Owens Corning recently announced that it will enhance its portfolio of interior acoustics offerings with an increased focus on the VersaMat® thermal and acoustic insulating material product line. OCTM Automotive is a recognized leader in the development of unique structural, acoustic and thermal composite solutions to leading automakers and the Tier One supplier community.
Owens Corning has seen great success with VersaMat in home appliances uses such as dishwashers, washing machines and dryers. The increased focus on the proven insulating material enables OC Automotive to provide automakers with complete innovative solutions for the interior of the vehicle.
OC Automotive plans to provide composite solutions utilizing the VersaMat technology in applications such as headliners, door panels, under-the-hood applications, trunk storage systems and under carpet heat shields. VersaMat is already being used by the leading North American automakers in limited capacity on platforms such as the Ford Ranger, the Daimler Chrysler Jeep Liberty, the Honda Civic and the General Motors Saturn. In addition to North America, Owens Corning is also offering VersaMat to the European automotive market.
“VersaMat has a proven record of excellent acoustic performance – it’s a natural progression to promote this insulating material in the area of interior acoustics for the worldwide automotive industry,” said Andrew Hopkins, general manager, OC Automotive. “VersaMat can be tuned to our customers’ acoustic requirements by modifying the fiber formulation and the density of the finished mat. Suitable for basically all absorbers in the car, Versamat combines excellent acoustics with temperature resistance, weatherability and low weight.”
During the molding process the thermal and acoustic insulating material forms a semi-structural system that allows it to carry its own weight along with the electronics and duct work of an overhead system. In addition to acoustic control, it withstands hot and damp conditions.
VersaMat can be molded into complex shapes and use different amounts and blends of fibers to meet specific performance requirements. The capability to mold complex components with thicker density in some areas for strength or specific noise control will give automakers more opportunity for functional integration into a single part.
Notes for editors
OC Automotive is a recognized leader in the development of unique structural, acoustic and thermal composite solution to the global automotive industry. Additional information on Owens Corning’s automotive business is available at www.owenscorning.com/automotive.
Owens Corning is a world leader in building materials systems and composites systems. Founded in 1938, the company had sales of $4.8 billion in 2001 and employs approximately 19,000 people worldwide. Additional information is available on Owens Corning’s Web site at www.owenscorning.com.