Henkel's TECHNOMELT XPO 1050 assists automakers in reducing weight in vehicle interiors

Polyolefin-based hotmelt can reduce vehicle mass by 0.8 to 2.2 kilograms per vehicle

MADISON HEIGHTS, MI--May 22, 2013: Henkel Corporation's automotive group today announced the introduction of TECHNOMELT XPO 1050, a polyolefin-based hotmelt that can bond a wide variety of interior-related substrates without the need for pretreatment of the plastic surface.

Used in the development of a number of interiors applications, including door panels, rear package trays, pillar trims and instrument panels, TECHNOMELT XPO 1050 is applied through a roll coating process, requiring less adhesive than typical sprayable adhesives, while eliminating as much as 25 percent overspray waste.

"TECHNOMELT XPO 1050 can reduce vehicle mass by 0.8 to 2.2 kilograms per vehicle*," said Mark Neuenschwander, Market Segment Manager, Henkel. "In addition to weight savings, the technology provides cost savings advantages by eliminating the need for heat ovens and tunnels and pretreatment flame equipment or additional surface primers."

Vehicle interiors represent 19 percent of the total mass of the car, according to Lotus Engineering, providing significant weight saving opportunities for automakers in meeting 2025 Corporate Average Fuel Economy standards.

*Based on the amount of adhesive needed for 20 square meters.