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Borealis receives Frost & Sullivan automotive innovation award

Monday 06. December 2010 - Borealis, a leading provider of chemical and innovative plastics solutions, has received the Frost & Sullivan 2010 Global New Product Innovation Award in the category Automotive under the Hood Plastics. The award recognises the unique capabilities of Borealis Xmod GB306SAF polypropylene (PP) compounds, which significantly lower system and production costs for automotive system suppliers and manufacturers (OEMs).

Borealis Xmod GB306SAF is a pioneering high stiffness, 36% glass fibre reinforced engineered PP compound. It is specifically tailored for air intake manifolds (AIMs) and other technical under the hood components, exposed to high loads and peak temperatures of up to 140°C. Vibration resistance, long-term chemical and heat resistance, combined with high fatigue and a broad operating temperature are among the material’s key characteristics.
The innovation offers a wide range of benefits compared to current glass reinforced polyamide (PA) solutions used for AIM applications, making it a viable replacement alternative for PA.
Additionally to meeting the costumers need for component cost reduction, Borealis Xmod GB306SAF offers improved dimensional stability and therefore more consistent processing results compared to existing plastics solutions for AIMs. As a light-weight, low density material, Borealis XmodGB306SAF enables weight reductions of up to 15%, thus scaling down overall vehicle weight and delivering fuel consumption savings for the vehicle owner. The exceptional sound dampening behaviour of Borealis Xmod outperforms current acoustic performances of PA AIMs to improve driver and passenger comfort.
Borealis Xmod GB306SAF contributes to lowering overall production costs for AIM parts through its lower material price, improved process handling and reduced energy usage. Lower processing temperatures and no necessity for pre-drying further reduces overall energy consumption and eliminates extra manufacturing steps to achieve more cost-effective production. Borealis Xmod can be used with existing manufacturing equipment and processes for AIMs.
As a result of these benefits, Volkswagen (VW) became the first automotive OEM to switch from glass reinforced PA to PP for its AIM application, now used in a variety of its car models with engine sizes from 1.4 to 1.6 litres. Borealis Xmod GB306SAF was the material of choice for part manufacturer MAHLE Filter Systems UK and VW in meeting their needs for lower system costs without significant changes in tooling, part design or equipment investment as well as improving acoustic part behaviour and the use of a more environment-friendly material.
“With this engineered Borealis Xmod polypropylen grade, our automotive customers can now significantly lower material costs in the production of air intake manifolds without compromising on any part characteristics,” comments Jost Eric Laumeyer, Borealis Global Mobility Marketing Manager who received the award on behalf of Borealis in London on December 1, 2010. “This meets the customer’s key priority in being an innovation oriented plastics supplier through achieving weight reduction targets, improving environmental performance and cost-efficiency. Our engineered material solutions lead the way in further diversifying automotive applications for polypropylene and we are delighted to have our step-change capabilities recognised with this Frost & Sullivan award.”
“The Frost & Sullivan Best Practices Research Team benchmarked Borealis’ new product against key competitors across a number of performance criteria, including innovation, value added features/benefits, and increased customer return on investment,” adds Robert Outram, Frost & Sullivan Global Programme Manager. “The findings showed Borealis Xmod GB306SAF’s leading capability in addressing the market need for under the hood plastics that offer advanced performance at lower system and production costs. Frost & Sullivan is proud to present the 2010 Global New Product Innovation Award in the category Automotive Under the Hood Plastics to Borealis.”
Borealis’ step-change automotive innovations are the result of its commitment to working closely with the industry’s OEMs and Tier One suppliers to deliver value where it is needed. In terms of adding innovation and production benefits, the new Borealis Xmod grade joins Borealis’ Daplen thermoplastic olefin (TPO) compounds recognised for meeting the ergonomic, aesthetic and high level performance and safety criteria required for today’s cutting-edge vehicles. With its innovative solutions, Borealis was a key material supplier for the 2008 and 2009 Car of the Year winners – the Fiat 500 and Opel Insignia. Together with Smart the company developed the first car with all-PP body panels.
“The Frost & Sullivan innovation award confirms that Borealis’ engineered PP solutions have the ability to set new standards for plastics in automotive applications,” comments Harald Hammer, Vice President Business Unit Mobility at Borealis. “We will continue to build on our global business structure by expanding our world-wide production footprint and by investing into our global innovation capabilities. Our commitment to delivering added-value to our global customers is fundamental to our growth strategy and recognition by Frost & Sullivan adds strength to this.”