Strong partnership with Borealis and Borouge brings Renault weight-saving benefits for key car platforms.Borealis and Borouge, leading providers of innovative, value-creating plastics solutions, have introduced a new grade of polypropylene (PP) specified for use in lightweight bumper applications for two new Renault automotive platforms.
High flow Borcom WH107AE was specified for the recently introduced Dacia Lodgy, a minivan produced at Renault’s new plant in Morocco and for the Renault Twizy, Renault’s first electrical car produced at its plant in Spain. Borcom WH107AE is already in use for new generation bumper applications in other Renault platforms including but not limited to the new Dacia Duster and Sandero in South America and Russia.
The specification of Borcom WH107AE underlines a number of major benefits to Renault. These include:
• Reducing the thickness of parts and density of materials used for car bumpers makes a significant contribution to Renault’s strategy of overall vehicle weight reduction for fuel economy and lower emissions. “Thinner parts can make a substantial contribution to overall weight saving,” says Emmanuel Boissard, Borealis Senior Application Development Engineer. “However there can be absolutely no compromise on the part’s performance. Borealis has helped Renault to reduce the parts whilst retaining the necessary mechanical performance.”
• Borealis and Borouge are amongst the first suppliers of a portfolio of PP materials that are recognised as Togozaï materials, i.e. materials that fulfil Renault’s worldwide specifications. In addition to the commercialisation of Borcom WH107AE for exterior parts, Borealis and Borouge have also developed a complete new Togozaï portfolio for Renault interior applications.
• In addition, Borealis and Borouge deliver strong technical expertise and highly personalised support to Renault through a dedicated team for the development, ramping-up and production phases throughout the world.
“We know the automotive industry needs to address the global challenges of energy supply and climate change,” says Harald Hammer, Borealis Vice President Business Unit Mobility. “Weight reduction is a key driver and we are committed to finding new and innovative solutions to ensure that the industry’s targets are met without compromising on performance.”
Borcom WH107AE is a global automotive grade available from Borealis and Borouge. This new generation high flow PP was specially developed to meet new specifications for bumpers. The material’s main characteristics are high flow and low density for lightweight applications with excellent surface quality.
The material helps to achieve substantial weight savings by making it possible to design lighter and thinner parts while maintaining the mechanical performance required for these specific applications. By facilitating reductions in part thickness and density, Borcom WH107AE can make a significant contribution to overall weight reduction for car manufacturers.
