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ContiTech Presents Innovations: Engineering Next Level for China's Automotive Industry
- ContiTech at the Auto Shanghai
- Sustainable, advanced rubber and plastic technologies for better air quality and economical cars
- Major expansion of local expertise in China
Shanghai, April 2015. The ContiTech division is presenting its special innovative strength at the Auto Shanghai 2015. Products such as extremely lightweight and ultra-strong bearing elements, hose systems for engines and chassis, and luxury interior materials for healthy air in vehicles will be displayed. Also on show will be durable timing belts for fuel-efficient engines. These new developments will be of benefit to both drivers and the environment in China. "As a technology leader for rubber and plastic products, we respond quickly to tomorrow's trends and demands. Our focus is on top performance, maximum proximity to the customer, plus responsible management and sustainable operation. This is Engineering Next Level in China," explained Andy Liu, head of business development for the Chinese automotive market of the ContiTech division, describing the guiding principle as a value driver.
ContiTech has been setting benchmarks in China for over 20 years with its broad product range in original equipment and the replacement market: benchmarks in quality, performance, and service. "We are working hard to further expand our local presence, with a strong focus on production, research and development, as well as customer service," said Liu, adding: "Our Chinese plants supply the same high quality as our locations in Europe. That is our competitive advantage." High-tech products produced in China for the domestic market are therefore tailored to the individual needs of the consumer.
Healthy air in vehicles
The Benecke-Kaliko business unit – a multi-award winner in China – is a specialist in top quality and low-emission interior materials for vehicles. It works in consultation with the government of the country on the definition of consistent measuring methods for air quality in automotive interiors. The guideline for emission values defines the upper limit of eight volatile organic compounds (VOCs). This aims to avoid health impacts from solvents or synthetic materials.
"Benecke-Kaliko is an international pioneer in low-emission interiors that are safe for human health. We are currently supplying the interior materials produced by local plants, which meet the strict legal requirements," said Liu. Due to rising demand, Benecke-Kaliko is investing around EUR 40 million in a second Chinese plant in Changzhou. Acella Eco is low-emission and non-allergenic and is used for car seats, door panels, and consoles.
Throughout, the new plant will be constructed and operated according to principles of sustainability. Acella Eco has won recognition throughout the entire industry. For example, in 2013, the company was awarded the prize for the best material innovation by the world-renowned online platform Gasgoo. The following year, the market leader received the Chinese Environmental Production award from the Auto & Parts magazine.
Ultra strong, extremely lightweight: bearing elements made of plastic
In order to decrease fuel consumption and therefore CO2 emissions, automotive manufacturers have been fighting for years over every gram of weight. ContiTech's product solutions include ultra-strong engine mounts made of polyamide. These components make an important contribution to producing lighter and more environmentally friendly vehicles. As polyamide can also be molded more easily at lower temperatures than aluminum, for example, the production process also requires considerably less energy. The various options for recycling are an added benefit.
The Vibration Control business unit has developed a transmission crossbeam from fiberglass-reinforced polyamide for rear axles: a global innovation. It is 25% lighter than components made from aluminum. The transmission crossbeam for rear axles is used in Mercedes-Benz vehicle models with all-wheel drive – with the exception of the AMG range. "With our lightweight construction expertise, we are taking over vehicle components where metal was hitherto predominant. We are therefore marking a new milestone. High-performance plastics are the future," claimed Liu. Engine bearings made from lightweight material save 50% of the weight. This also applies to torque rod supports and torque reaction mounts made of polyamide, which ContiTech has already sold by the million.
Lasts a lifetime – the climate-friendly drive belt that runs in oil
The development departments often work on the fine details. With the timing belt that runs in oil, the ContiTech Power Transmission Group has launched an innovation that could soon replace the traditional camshaft and oil pump chain drive. The new rubber-based product developed is quieter, lighter, better for the environment, but still extremely robust. It has already been integrated in VW model in production. "The belt produces significantly less resistance and lasts the lifetime of an engine. That is up to 300,000 kilometers. Clients and end users therefore save on costs," explained Liu. An additional advantage is that instead of steel rubbing on metal, this uses rubber, so less noise is produced. Compared to conventional toothed belt drives, the innovation also enables reduced overall widths.The width of belts for the camshaft drive in the next generation of engines from today’s 16-20mm width will be reduced to 14,12 or even 10mm. Belts for oil pump drives currently measure just 9 mm – and so are as narrow as a chain.
Hose lines for the latest generations of engines
"Using new materials and material combinations, we are implementing ground-breaking technologies for all media flows in the vehicle," said Liu, pointing out the particular expertise of the ContiTech Fluid Technology business unit. Product innovations follow automotive trends such as downsizing, weight reduction, eco-friendliness, and driving safety.
The trend for more compact engine compartments places higher demands on hoses and hose lines, for example for heating and cooling systems. With the new corrugated plastic line for cooling applications, ContiTechdeveloped a system that combines compact design with resistance to increasingly high pressure and temperature levels as well as flexibility and movement compensation. Its high performance materials reduce weight in comparison to rubber hoses. Customers also benefit from its increased life time and its recyclability. The company is also setting standards for sustainability with special carbon particulate hoses for diesel vehicles and our electrically heatable hose modules for second-generation "selective catalytic reduction" (SCR) technology fill the bill in this regard. This involves a technology for removing nitrogen oxides from diesel exhaust gases. In a catalytic converter, a urea solution is used to convert noxious nitrogen oxides (NOx) into harmless steam and nitrogen. The high-performance hoses developed by ContiTech specifically for the SCR procedure ensure that the solution does not freeze.
Expanding local expertise
For the ContiTech division with its special materials and process expertise, Engineering Next Level means systematically taking on the next level: by recognizing trends at an early stage, developing innovations, using green technologies and sustainable production systems, as well as by remaining in close proximity to the market and customer. ContiTech works both in joint ventures as well as with fully-owned subsidiaries in China. The company has set itself up at 11 locations with a local range of services, ready to meet the technological challenges of the Chinese industry – in some cases, with dedicated research and development departments.
In addition to the new production plant based in Changzhou for Benecke-Kaliko'sAcella Eco, the division will have two further locations this year. Last October, ContiTech Grand Ocean Fluid opened a branch in Hangzhou where, from March 2015, underfloor air conditioning lines will be produced in series for Ford.. The Compounding Technology business unit is going to open its first rubber compounding facility outside Europe in Changshu in summer 2015. The leading specialist in the development and production of reliable rubber compounds for high-quality elastomer products, functional parts, components, and systems will initially act as supplier to its own business units. In a second step, the quality compounds will also be provided to external customers.
Caption CT BK Acella Eco Green 2.jpg
Low in emissions and odor: The Acella Eco green surface material for car seats made by
Benecke-Kaliko ensures good internal air quality in vehicles and helps protect China's climate.
Photo: ContiTech
CT BK Acella Eco Green.jpg
Contact allergen-free, suitable for long-term skin contact and environment-friendly: Acella® Eco green surface material from Benecke-Kaliko for vehicle seats performs to the requirements ofOeko-Tex® Standard 100.
Photo: ContiTech
Caption CT_VC_Getriebequerträger_Hinterachse.jpg
New performance class with lightweight technology: The new ContiTech transmission crossbeam for the rear axle is used in the Mercedes-Benz S-Class.
Photo: ContiTech
Caption CT_PTG_Belt_in_Oil.jpg
The timing belt in oil can be made narrower than the model which runs in the dry and is even quieter as the oil not only reduces friction but also damps the belt.
Photo: ContiTech
Caption CT_FL_SCR_Hose.jpg
ContiTech has likewise taken on a vanguard role in the case of components used to purify exhaust gases by means of selective catalytic reduction (SCR) technology. A heatable EPDM-based (ethylene-propylene-diene rubber) hose line module ensures that the urea required for the process does not freeze.
Photo: ContiTech
Continental develops intelligent technologies for transporting people and their goods. As a reliable partner, the international automotive supplier, tire manufacturer, and industrial partner provides sustainable, safe, comfortable, individual, and affordable solutions. In 2014, the corporation generated preliminary sales of €34.5 billion with its five divisions, Chassis & Safety, Interior, Powertrain, Tires, and ContiTech. Continental currently employs approximately 200,000 people in 53 countries.
The ContiTech division is one of the world's leading suppliers of technical elastomer products and is a specialist in plastics technology. It develops and produces functional parts, components, and systems for machine and plant engineering, mining, the automotive industry, and other important industries. Together with U.S. company Veyance Technologies Inc., which was acquired at the beginning of 2015, ContiTech generated sales of approximately €5.4 billion (pro forma basis) in 2014 and currently employs approximately 41,000 people in 34 countries worldwide.
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Your contact:
Antje Lewe, phone: +49 511 938-1304
Antje Lewe
Spokeswoman
Head of Media & Public Relations
ContiTech AG
Phone: +49 511 938-1304
Cell phone: +49 160 4767260
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Your contact:
Antje Lewe, phone: +49 511 938-1304
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Your contact:
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