DAIMLER / TORAY
Agreement to jointly develop carbon fibre reinforced plastics components / Serial production to be launched in three years' time
Following the example of BMW, Germany's Daimler (Stuttgart; www.daimler.com) also has entered the field of carbon fibre reinforced plastics (CFRPs) in an effort to reduce the weight of serially manufactured vehicles. Still, Daimler’s foray is more cautious, making do for now with signing a declaration of intent for a joint development agreement with Toray Industries (Tokyo / Japan; www.toray.com). Under the terms of the deal, serial production of the first components to be used in the “Mercedes” will begin in three years’ time. A Daimler spokeswoman told Plasteurope.com that the components initially would be used in luxury vehicles but that they also might find usage in the “A class”.

With a total capacity of 25,000 t/y, Toray is the world’s largest manufacturer of carbon fibres. The dowry of the Japanese company comes in the shape of its proprietary “High Cycle Resin Transfer Molding” technology as well as its contribution to developing new materials. By contrast, Daimler has been tasked with overseeing the automotive aspects and with integrating the CFRPs into the assembly process.

CFRPs are currently found in only one Daimler model – the “Mercedes SLR McLaren”, manufactured by McLaren Composites in Portsmouth / UK. Vehicles that come off this small production line have their floorings, roof linings, wings and engine hoods made of carbon fibre reinforced plastics.

Just like its competitors – including SGL Carbon and Zoltek – Toray is trying to strengthen the role CFRPs play in the automotive market. The Japanese group already took steps in this direction in 2008 and 2009, when it established its “Automotive Centre” and “Advanced Composite Centre”, both located in Nagoya / Japan.
18.05.2010 Plasteurope.com [216237]
Published on 18.05.2010
Daimler / Toray: Entwicklung von CFK-KomponentenGerman version of this article...

© 2001-2024 Plasteurope.com  |  Imprint  |  Privacy  |  Cookie settings

Plasteurope.com is a business information platform for the European plastics industry. It is part of KI Kunststoff Information and PIE Plastics Information Europe, one of the leading content providers for the European plastics industry. We offer daily updated business news and reports, in-depth market analysis, polymer prices and other services for the international plastics industry, including a suppliers guide, career opportunities, a trade name directory and videos.

News | Polymer Prices | Material Databases | Plastics Exchange | Suppliers Guide | Jobs | Register | Advertising

PIE – Plastics Information Europe | KI – Kunststoff Information | KunststoffWeb | Plastics Material Exchange | Polyglobe | K-Profi
© 2001-2024 by Plasteurope.com, Bad Homburg
Date of print: 02.11.2024 06:20:16   (Ref: 749578564)
Text and images are subject to copyright and other laws for protection of intellectual property.
Any duplication or distribution in any media as a whole or in parts requires prior written approval by Plasteurope. URL: http://www.plasteurope.com/news/detail.asp