Auburn Hills, MI - November 03, 2009
Automotive News announced yesterday that Dow Automotive Systems is among the 2010 PACE Award finalists in the Product-Europe category for its innovative BETAMATE™ Two-Component (2K) PU adhesive technology, which enables bonding a broad range of materials with different thermal expansion coefficients, such as aluminium, steel and plastic composites. First applied on the new BMW 7 Series to bond an aluminium roof to a steel body, BETAMATE 2K PU adhesives complemented BMW's high-end material mix, enabling both lightweight design and reduced CO2 emissions.
"Recognition by the PACE Award judges affirms the importance of bonding as an assembly technology for both lightweight construction and mounting processes," said Orhan Imam, Dow Automotive Market Development Manager for 2K PU adhesives. "Further weight reductions in automobiles will often require the bonding of dissimilar materials, which will necessitate new adhesives that are both flexible and structurally sound under the harshest physical conditions."
"A steel/aluminium combination does not allow for any welding, so Dow Automotive Systems developed a new adhesive that is flexible enough to withstand the different thermal expansion coefficients of both materials while simultaneously guaranteeing the necessary structural system stability at high temperatures," said Ulrich Tribelhorn, Dow Automotive R&D Leader for 2K PU adhesives. "Dow achieves this through significantly improved glass transition temperatures of BETAMATE 2K PU adhesives, which embody unique properties for this type of adhesive system. "
The PACE Award - Premier Automotive Supplier's Contribution to Excellence - is recognized around the world as the industry standard for innovation. Sponsored by Automotive News, judges include experts from Ernst & Young's Global Automotive Center; the Transportation Research Center, Inc. (TRC); and the Original Equipment Suppliers Association (OESA).
Dow Automotive Systems won the 2008 Automotive News PACE Award in the Product category for its IMPAXX™ series of energy-absorbing foams, which offers manufacturers and suppliers the simultaneous benefits of low cost, reduced weight, reduced packaging space, rapid prototyping, and identical performance between prototype and production parts.
About Dow Automotive Systems
Dow Automotive Systems is a leading provider of polyurethanes, elastomers, films, fluids, adhesives, emissions solutions and acoustic-management materials to the global transportation industry. By working collaboratively with passenger vehicle, commercial transportation and aftermarket customers, Dow Automotive Systems is developing industry-leading solutions to address a wide range of critical market needs - increasing energy efficiency, improving safety and health, reducing exhaust emissions and enhancing vehicle quality and appeal. For additional information about Dow Automotive Systems, visit www.dowautomotive.com
For Editorial Information:
Christine Swart
Dow Automotive Systems
1-248-391-6413
Joel Foulon
Bolger + Battle
973-655-9560
jfoulon@bolgerandbattle.com
Clemens Wesely
MS&L
+49.69.66.12.456.8381
Clemens.wesley@mslworldwide.com
