Bayer MaterialScience at the VDI conference "Plastics in Automotive Engineering"

Automotive engineering is shaped by climate protection, sustainability and efficient production technologies. Developments are driven first and foremost by energy efficiency and resource conservation. But the desire to create economic system solutions and to achieve maximum benefits for drivers also comes into play. Now more than ever the use of plastics is proving essential in meeting these requirements.

In close cooperation with its customers, Bayer MaterialScience uses innovative materials and technologies to develop sustainable solutions to meet the needs resulting from the current megatrends. At this year's VDI conference "Plastics in Automotive Engineering" being held in Mannheim, Germany, on March 21 and 22 the company is focusing on even more lightweight bodywork parts, innovative lighting solutions, customized interior concepts and high-quality surfaces.

In automobile interiors, the spotlight is trained on quality and individuality, with the goal of encouraging drivers to identify more closely with their vehicles and increasing the practical benefits. This also offers automakers another way of ensuring that their products stand out from the competition. The latest developments are designed to give the cockpit a harmonious overall impression in terms of both its look and feel. Also in demand are high-gloss or matt topcoats, soft-touch surfaces and special solutions such as black panel effects that make the contours of light symbols appear to vanish when they are switched off. Bayer MaterialScience offers a whole range of innovative material solutions in this area, taking in everything from polyurethane coating raw materials and thermoplastic polyurethanes through to polycarbonate films.

One current example of a very lightweight construction solution is the Bayflex® RIM Light Weight polyurethane system. Thanks to a clever combination of fillers, this new material system produces parts that are 20 to 30 percent lighter than standard polyurethane solutions without compromising on the excellent mechanical properties. The material is even lighter than water.

In the run-up to the conference, the VDI will for the first time be organizing a full-day event devoted to the basics of lighting technology. The primary goal of vehicle lighting is and will remain occupant safety. Further aspects include driving comfort and energy-efficient lighting with LED technologies. Vehicle design is also gaining in importance. The desire of designers to create unique vehicle concepts and thus enhance the brand's reputation is leading to the development of new lighting design concepts to provide companies with a crucial competitive edge.

Bayer MaterialScience has a wide-ranging portfolio of transparent Makrolon® products for headlight lenses and fiber optics as well as comprehensive expertise in the processing of these - even for the production of more complex shapes. Bayer experts Dr. Martin Döbler and Olaf Zöllner will give a presentation on this subject at the lighting technology event.

Source: Bayer MaterialScience