The world’s first design with Elastoskin-based paper honeycomb trunk floor cover is easy-to-clean versus conventional non-woven fabric surface, offers great design freedom, and has excellent aging and emission properties.
Green & Light Automotive Components (Green & Light), an auto parts supplier based in China, has introduced an easy-to-clean surface covering for car trunk floors. Employing polyurethane paper honeycomb technology, the trunk floor surface is covered by Elastoskin, a polyurethane skin technology from BASF. Plastic Mold Injection Service
Polyurethane-coated trunk liners represent an easy-to-clean, long-lasting alternative to conventional nonwoven fabric alternatives.
Compared to conventional non-woven fabric surfaces, this newly developed product is easier to clean, offers great freedom in the design process, and has excellent aging and emission properties.
The honeycomb structure has been used in trunk covers, headliners, and hat racks. A paper honeycomb enclosed by two fiberglass mats is foamed and pressed with the Elastoflex E semi-rigid polyurethane foam. This can reduce component weight by 20-30% while retaining the same strength and stiffness.
In a global project with Green & Light, an Elastoskin skin was applied for the first time on the B-side of a trunk floor. The polyurethane skin ensures that dirt can be easily removed and the trunk kept clean. Whereas non-woven fabric must be bonded to the trunk floor in an additional production step, Elastoskin is poured on directly. This technology opens up new possibilities in the design and conception of the trunk floor. It retains the outstanding mechanical properties and also reduces emissions and odor. Elastoskin is pleasant to touch, easily released from the mold, highly resistant to aging, and delivers reproducible contours.
“For many years, BASF has been supporting the trend towards weight reduction in the automotive industry with its honeycomb technology. This development process symbolizes BASF’s global approach, and this innovative material solution leads to new possibilities for car interior components,” said Andy Postlethwaite, Senior Vice President of Performance Materials Asia Pacific. “Our partnership with Green & Light demonstrates how much we support our customers with in-depth expertise in new developments. There could well be more innovations, taking account of global added value.”
The initial laboratory tests and developments were completed at the BASF site in Lemförde, Germany. The honeycomb components with Elastoskin are produced by Green & Light Automotive Components at its plant in Suzhou, China. The finished components are then shipped to automotive manufacturers and suppliers worldwide.
Stephen has been with PlasticsToday and its preceding publications Modern Plastics and Injection Molding since 1992, throughout this time based in the Asia Pacific region, including stints in Japan, Australia, and his current location Singapore. His current beat focuses on automotive. Stephen is an avid folding bicycle rider, often taking his bike on overseas business trips, and is a proud dachshund owner.
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