More than 3,000 people at the Motorworld in Munich
150 years of NETZSCH: the three business units Analyzing & Testing, Grinding & Dispersing and Pumps & Systems celebrated together with their employees from Europe and Africa at the Motorworld in Munich. Cheers to NETZSCH!
In bright sunshine, the three CEOs of the NETZSCH Group and the three business units welcomed the guests. The celebration in Munich was the last of the anniversary year, so those present were able to enjoy a film about the anniversary celebrations that had already taken place in India, North America, South America, South East Asia & Oceania, and China. The culinary diversity of the event reflected the global presence of the NETZSCH Group. There was also plenty on offer in terms of entertainment:
The big highlight of the evening was the NETZSCH anniversary film showing the history of the NETZSCH Group. Afterwards, the party started with the Razzzones, the party band “Geile Zeit” from Selb and DJane Beatrix, who thrilled the crowd with her rousing violin parts.
TaipeiPLAS and ShoeTech Taipei Booth Application Opens for 2024 Edition
“TaipeiPLAS” and “ShoeTech Taipei” are set to make a comeback in 2024, taking place from September 24 to 28 at Taipei Nangang Exhibition Center, Hall 1. The two concurrent exhibitions will feature key themes such as “Innovative Materials,” “Advanced Manufacturing,” and “Circular Economy, “which are hot topics in the manufacturing industry. The booth application will open on August 14, 2023. Interested participants are encouraged to apply early to secure the best booth location as space is limited.
Key players in the plastics, rubber and shoe-making industries are excited about reconnecting with international buyers at TaipeiPLAS & ShoeTech Taipei 2024. According to the organizer TAITRA, the scale of the 2024 event is expecting a full recovery to pre-pandemic levels. “The goal is to attract 500 exhibitors in 2,500 booths and more than 2,000 international trade visitors,” said TAITRA.
In recent years, the plastics and shoe-making industries have accelerated the transformation towards net-zero as their customers and many international brands have proposed commitments and goals for low-carbon and recycled content products, and have promoted carbon management throughout the supply chain. Consequently, global trends are driving the industry’s focus on practices such as material innovation, energy-saving, waste reductions and resource recycling in the manufacturing process.
In alignment with the low-carbon commitment, TaipeiPLAS 2024 adopts a new slogan “Shaping All PLASbility” to underscore the industry’s dedication to sustainability leadership. In addition to comprehensive exhibits of smart machinery and new materials, 2024 TaipeiPLAS is launching brand-new themed areas: “Eco Service & Sustainable Packaging” and “Low-carbon & Green.” These areas will showcase dynamic innovations and applications in various sectors, including smart mobility, medical supplies, aerospace, and green building.
ENGEL Part Finder: The Spare Parts Scout for Your Pocket
ENGEL part finder is being launched at FAKUMA 2023. With this smart application for identifying spare parts, ENGEL is demonstrating how effective this new tool can be for plastics processors in everyday operations: a simple, time-saving solution to improve machine availability and to boost production efficiency. A smartphone is all you need.
To guarantee efficient production with a high level of machine availability, the right spare part needs to be on site quickly when the need arises. Because an injection moulding machine or production cell consists of many parts, purchasing spare parts is often more complex than it might appear at first glance. For one thing, injection moulding machines have often been in use for many years, or even decades. The expert knowledge of the system’s details is often lost when a long-standing machine operator retires. Another factor is that parts wear and get dirty, which makes part identification difficult in any production environment. Additionally, companies are using digital tools to compensate for the lack of skilled personnel in the industry.
The app that keeps you in production
The solution goes by the name of ENGEL part finder – an application that lets users identify and order virtually any part of an ENGEL injection moulding machine in an uncomplicated way. The development of part finder took into consideration the feedback from customers who tested the system. The result is an intuitive and easy-to-use tool to support day-to-day operations.
Available free of charge as a feature of the ENGEL e-connect customer portal, part finder is always at hand when needed: all it takes is a mobile device with online access or a computer with an internet connection. Users who are logged in can launch the web application while working on the customer portal.
The tool offers various options for identifying parts, including a convenient, image-based spare parts search function. Users can take a picture of the part in question with their mobile phone or tablet cameras, and define the image section to be used for the search. Alternatively, images can be mailed to the Purchasing department. The purchasing coordinator can then use the image file in part finder to identify the part. Besides this visual search, the smart software supports the user with various advanced options, such as a key word and synonym search and a smart parts list search.
Reorder parts quickly and without risk
One of part finder’s main advantages is that it cannot only identify new parts of the latest machine models, but it can also recognise dirty, worn or defective parts of older machines – from cables to pumps. The part finder’s database includes injection moulding machines which are up to 20 years old, along with other systems. In the exceptional case that part finder is unable to find the part a user is looking, experts from ENGEL Customer Service are happy to provide support.
ENGEL part finder helps identify parts quicker and removes the risk of ordering the wrong ones – an example of a visual search is shown here..
The order function is a big help in daily operations. The identified parts can be ordered with a single click in ENGEL part finder – and the shopping cart feature also allows ordering multiple parts. On initiating the order process with a click, the application generates an email, which can either be sent directly to ENGEL as an order or forwarded internally for approval. This helps avoiding ordering wrong parts by mistake and improves efficiency in spare parts procurement.
ENGEL part finder is therefore a valuable tool in daily operations and maintenance. “The ENGEL part finder will even work for injection moulding machines that have been in use for a long time and therefore make sure they are back in production far quicker after a standstill”, says Product Manager Digital Solutions, Mateusz Rychlik. “In times when human resources are scarce, this provides essential support for efficient injection moulding production”.
Solvay and Hegen Partner to Bring the First Baby Bottle Made with Recycled Content to the Market
Solvay, a leading global supplier of specialty materials, has entered into a strategic partnership with Hegen Pte Ltd for the use of sustainable Duradex polyphenyl sulfone (PPSU) mass balance attributed in Hegen’s premium line of Press-to-Close, Twist-to-Open (PCTO) baby feeding bottles. The circular, non-fossil feedstock content of the PPSU grade is third-party mass balance certified, meeting the end customers’ expectations for more sustainable products. Duradex PPSU is an amorphous, naturally amber-transparent polymer, free of artificial pigments, phthalates and bisphenols, such as BPA.
“Brand owners and manufacturers in the child care market are increasingly seeking to improve the sustainability of their products without compromising safety, efficiency or convenience,” says Guillaume Meunier, Head of Marketing, Life Solutions at Solvay Materials. “Hegen’s baby feeding and drinking bottles are widely acknowledged for their high quality and use the highest-purity materials to ensure a healthy and comfortable feeding experience for both mother and child. We are very pleased to announce that the company has decided to adopt our mass-balance certified PPSU for molding their iconic bottles.”
“We are excited about this strategic material partnership with Solvay, which will help us further reduce the environmental impact of our baby feeding bottles in line with our ambitious sustainability roadmap,” adds Yvon Bock, founder and CEO of Hegen. “The circular Duradex polymer exhibits the same high-performance properties as the previous material used in molding our premium Hegen PCTO bottles, including excellent processability and uncompromising durability, which makes it a very efficient drop-in alternative to all-fossil PPSU solutions.”
Duradex PPSU MB is linked to 54% allocated circular, non-fossil feedstock, which is third-party mass-balance (MB) verified under the International Sustainability & Carbon Certification PLUS (ISCC PLUS) mass balance accounting regime. The MB accounting approach provides a reliable method of tracing the feedstock content from the material production to the final application.
In addition, Solvay’s Duradex PPSU MB polymer is high scratch resistant and stain resistant, does not absorb odors and delivers an inherently non-stick surface. It combines exceptional hydrolytic stability and shatter-proof toughness with high heat resistance. These properties also qualify the lightweight, ergonomically shaped and wide-opening bottles for more than 1,000 steam or hot water sterilization as well as dishwasher cycles without the risk of any damage.
Hegen’s PCTO baby feeding bottles will be showcased at Solvay’s booth at the Fakuma 2023 show (Booth 4213 in Hall B4) and both companies are committed to bringing the first mass balanced PPSU baby bottle to the market by 2024.
Sustainability in Focus: Technology Leaders Prepare for Drupa 2024
Whoever wants to present themselves to the global sector comes to drupa. Like in 2024 when the most relevant trade fair for print technologies will take place again at last after a pandemic-induced eight-year break. One thing is clear already: the exhibitors will be offering innovative product presentations and riveting live demos.
Marc Bory, EMEA Vice President, Digital Printing & Solutions Marketing & Innovation at Canon Europe.
“Drupa 2024 is an important milestone for Canon,” says Marc Bory, EMEA Vice President, Digital Printing & Solutions Marketing & Innovation at Canon Europe, about the upcoming show. This confirms another key player in the industry when the global print & packaging industry finally meets again at drupa from 28 May to 7 June. “It allows us to deepen engagements with our print communities whilst demonstrating our innovation, technology leadership and commitment to accelerated growth in commercial and industrial print. We look forward to meeting with global print communities face-to-face again, to discuss how we can help them to grow and thrive sustainably for the future through technology and business innovation,” says Marc Bory.
With challenges but also opportunities being omnipresent in the print industry, the impulses emanating from drupa are as valuable as ever. After all, only those keeping themselves abreast of technology trends and market changes, will tap into and leverage new potential for themselves. Examples of this come care of Bobst, Canon, die Durst Group, EFI, Epson, Fujifilm, Heidelberg, Koenig & Bauer, Konica Minolta, the Leonhard Kurz Stiftung, Ricoh Europe PLC, and Windmöller & Hölscher. “We are delighted to be able to return to drupa,” underlines Erwin Busselot, Business Innovations & Solutions Director at Ricoh Europe, and goes on to say: „We are getting excited already about what we aim to bring to the show, and are sure that a visit to the Ricoh stand will prove to be a memorable experience.“
Also presenting their innovative solutions will be renowned SMEs and start-ups thereby creating an inspiring environment for companies that drive the market with their competencies.
Olaf Lorenz, General Manager International Marketing Division, Konica Minolta Business Solutions Europe.
Digitalisation as a key
New technologies and areas of application offer a wide variety of opportunities. „Digital printing remains a key growing force within commercial and industrial markets, as run lengths continue to come down and demands increase for sustainable production” says Olaf Lorenz, General Manager International Marketing Division, Konica Minolta Business Solutions Europe, in the run-up to the trade fair. One focus for optimising success here is undoubtedly digitalisation – one of the focal themes of drupa 2024. „Showgoers to our stand will be able to immerse themselves in a captivating Industry 5.0 tale, where scalability, capacity reliability, sustainability, and smart factory automation converge, all centred on the human experience. As a global technology leader, our mission is to help to identify and unlock the potential that digitalisation holds. We will also be inviting them to explore our strategic partnerships, enabling end-to-end ecosystems across multiple segments, from label to large format.” Lorenz goes on to say.
The Focal Themes 2024
Digitalisation is an enabler for processes and applications in the print and packaging industries. AI, platform economy, and the openness to new product solutions in the field of industrial applications play a key role. Furthermore, sustainability will characterise drupa’s agenda next year. With such topics as Circular Economy, Energy Efficiency and Resource Conservation it has become a pivotal factor for the industry as a whole.
In this dynamic context the exhibitors pitch their essential fields of action to an international audience comprising the print and packaging industries, agencies, trade, media and research. “As exhibitors we do our utmost to make the focal themes of Digitalisation and Sustainability perceivable. Digital solutions are the enablers for sustainable products, services and processes. With our ‘Exceeding Print’ strategy we shine the spotlight on the topics that move both the print industry and society,” says Dr. Andreas Pleßke, Spokesman od the Board at Koenig & Bauer.
Diverse possibilities for participation
drupa is not only in demand as an indispensable, global industry platform but also place relevant and visionary themes and best practices centrestage in its Special Forums. Here, exhibitors will generate now business opportunities with their innovations, ideas and concepts.
At the drupa cube and at various touchpoints on the topics Packaging, Textile and Sustainability participants will be given in-depth insights into relevant themes and impulses for growth potential. Start-ups will find their platform at “dna – drupa next age” and can present themselves to an international expert audience.
At the same time as applications are approved the exhibitors‘ database and the interactive hall plan will also go live at www.drupa.com.
For more information companies that still want to exhibit, should visit: https://www.drupa.com/en/Exhibit/Become_an_exhibitor
MAAG Group Announces Leadership Change in America and China
MAAG Group is a broadly diversified global solutions provider of Pump & Filtration Systems, Pelletizing & Pulverizing Systems, Recycling Systems and digital solutions.
Aaron Kong, GM for MAAG China
Today, MAAG Group announced the appointment of Paul Merich, former Vice President MAAG APAC, as incoming VP/GM for MAAG Americas. Ueli Thuerig, President of MAAG Group: “Paul has played a key role in further development of MAAG China. With Paul we found the perfect match for our American business.” Paul Merich commented: “I am grateful for the opportunity and excited to embark on this journey with the MAAG America team.”
Aaron Kong, GM MAAG China, now succeeds Paul Merich. “We are happy to have Aaron accepting this position.” says Ueli Thuerig, President MAAG Group. “He started at MAAG Group one year ago as Sales Director and brings a wealth of experience with him having worked previously at renowned market leaders in the plastics machinery industry.”
The MAAG Group is further expanding its presence in China creating the prerequisites for continued growth in the People’s Republic. Particular focus is being placed on creating incremental production capacity and on the introduction of new products specifically for the Chinese market.The internationally operating MAAG Group, headquartered in Oberglatt, Switzerland, has been stepping up its localization strategy in China since 2022 and currently has 103 employees. One recent example: The assembly shop at the site in Jiading, a district of Shanghai, has recently doubled in size. www.maag.com
Starting a New Chapter of Life: 19 New Apprentices at NETZSCH
As every year on 01 September, the company NETZSCH Pumpen & Systeme GmbH was once again pleased to welcome new apprentices. The young people are the first apprentices to start their training at the NETZSCH Campus after the plant merger.
Big day for 19 young people: In the coming years, the apprentices will gain experience in eight different professions.
There was a great deal of excitement among the future apprentices, who are starting their careers in eight different trades. For the first time in a long time, an electronics technician for industrial engineering is also being trained. The young people were welcomed by Mr. Heidkötter, Managing Director of NETZSCH Pumpen & Systeme GmbH, on behalf of the entire management. Mr. Heidkötter made special mention of the importance of the new NETZSCH Campus for training.
Their eyes were shining, and there was a smile on their mouths. In addition to the anticipation, the 19 young people were excited about the new phase of their lives ahead of them this Friday morning. As every year on September 1, also in 2023, numerous new apprentices started their careers at NETZSCH Pumps & Systems in Waldkraiburg.
In the coming years, they will take their first steps in everyday working life at the specialist for conveying complex media in eight different apprenticeships. In addition to apprentices as industrial clerk, industrial mechanics, technical product designers, IT specialists for application development and system integration, and specialists for warehouse logistics and process mechanics, there is also an industrial electronics technician.
The excitement and anticipation about the upcoming phase of their lives were literally written all over the faces of the new apprentices. Nevertheless, the new apprentices Alexander Reiter, Andreas Kapser, Anna Maria Tratzl, Benjamin Winterer, Claudia Kiefinger, Christoph Schönberger, Daniel Huber, Julia Holzner, Korbinian Grill, Leni Hargasser, Leo Schindler, Leon Schönfeld, Markus Tauschhuber, Martin Geisberger, Maurice Douma, Paul Hipetinger, Raphael Bleicher, Samuel Spitlbauer and Sebastian Hütter had to clarify a few organisational things before they could start into the upcoming weeks. Following the welcome by the trainers in the Wolfgang Netzsch Arena at the NETZSCH Campus in Waldkraiburg and an initial short training session, buttered pretzels and cool drinks were served in a relaxed atmosphere. After the break, the new apprentices met Jens Heidkötter, managing director of NETZSCH Pumpen & Systeme GmbH. He addressed warm words to the new colleagues at the start of their new phase in life and was proud of the opportunities offered to the them.
“On behalf of the entire management, I would like to warmly welcome you. For the first time in the history of NETZSCH Pumpen & Systeme GmbH, we are all working together at one location in Waldkraiburg, and you will also benefit from this fact. The NETZSCH Campus offers outstanding working conditions and guarantees training at the very highest level with our new, state-of-the-art training facility and the NETZSCH Future Hub, a separate learning and recreation area for the apprentices. Therefore, you will be optimally prepared for your future career. This is something you can look forward to”, says Heidkötter.
Apprentices excursion and team building in Pullman City
Afterwards, a short game to get to know each other as well as the trainers and the youth and trainee representatives, was on the agenda. The new apprentices couldn’t believe that the first day in their working life had already ended and the weekend was just around the corner – time to process the new impressions. Before they go to their respective departments on Monday afternoon, they will have lunch together and a tour around the NETZSCH Campus. Finally, the next highlight is just around the corner: The apprentices excursion. The bus will take them to Voestalpine in Linz before they turn the night into day at the Western theme park in Pullman City, where team building is the main focus.
Dear apprentices, welcome to the NETZSCH family, and good luck with the new phase of your life!
NORMA Group Increases Profitability in the Second Quarter of 2023
Sales in Q2 2023 grew by 1.9 percent compared to the same quarter of the previous year to 324.0 million euros
Adjusted operating result (EBIT) increases to 27.1 million euros
Adjusted EBIT margin at 8.4 percent
Forecast for full year 2023 confirmed
NORMA Group grew slightly in the second quarter of 2023 and improved its profitability. Significant growth impulses were provided by the noticeably increased demand from the automotive industry and targeted price management. Lower demand in the area of water management was more than compensated for.
According to figures presented today, consolidated sales increased by 1.9 percent to 324.0 million euros compared to the same quarter of the previous year ( Q2 2022 : 317.9 million euros). The company grew organically by 4.0 percent between April and June 2023 . Negative currency effects related to the US dollar reduced sales growth by 2.0 percent. Adjusted earnings before interest and taxes (adjusted EBIT) rose sharply by 21.2 percent in the second quarter of 2023 compared to the same quarter of the previous year to 27.1 million euros ( Q2 2022 : 22.3 million euros). The adjusted EBIT margin was 8.4 percent and was therefore also above the previous year’s value ( Q2 2022 : 7.0 percent). The operating net cash flow was EUR 31.9 million in the second quarter of 2023 , an improvement compared to the comparable quarter of 2022 ( Q2 2022 : EUR 26.4 million).
CEO Guido Grandi: “We completed a successful second quarter and launched the first initiatives from our Step Up growth program. We have improved our profitability both compared to the same quarter of the previous year and compared to the first quarter of 2023. We also managed to cushion the effects of inflation. Our global presence and our broad portfolio of connection technology for vehicles, water management, mechanical engineering and other industries make us robust – this is paying off in the currently subdued overall economic environment . “
Strong growth in Europe and Asia, decline in America
In the EMEA region (Europe, Middle East and Africa) the growth trend of the first quarter of 2023 continued: Sales rose significantly by 12.4 percent to 136.6 million euros in the second quarter of 2023 compared to the previous year ( Q2 2022 : 121 .6 million euros). Negative currency effects reduced growth insignificantly by 0.3 percent. The strong organic growth of 12.7 percent is based primarily on a good recovery in the automotive industry and increased demand for connection solutions for cars of all drive types . Sales also increased in the area of industrial applications.
In the Americas region, sales fell by 6.9 percent to 144.5 million euros in the second quarter of 2023 compared to the same period last year ( Q2 2022 : 155.3 million euros). Organic sales fell by 5.2 percent; Currency effects additionally depressed sales development by -1.8 percent. After a strong quarter in the previous year, sales of connection technology for cars and commercial vehicles were lower. Water management products business was also lower after a very strong quarter last year, but improved compared to the first three months of 2023.
In the Asia-Pacific region, sales grew by 4.5 percent in the second quarter compared to the same period last year to 42.9 million euros ( Q2 2022 : 41.1 million euros). Organic sales rose sharply by 12.5 percent; Negative currency effects reduced sales growth by 8.1 percent. Above all, the increased demand from Chinese automobile manufacturers for connection technology compared to the previous year’s quarter, which was characterized by lockdown, led to a higher business volume in the region. The business with standard connection technology for water management and industrial applications, however, recorded lower sales than in the same period of the previous year.
First half of 2023: Growth and profitability in line with business expectations
In the first six months of the 2023 financial year, consolidated sales reached 639.0 million euros. This corresponds to an increase of 2.7 percent compared to the same period last year (H1 2022: 622.3 million euros). Organic sales grew by 3.1 percent in the six-month period; Negative currency effects reduced revenue by 0.4 percent. The adjusted earnings before interest and taxes (adjusted EBIT) amounted to a total of 49.7 million euros in the period January to June 2023 (H1 2022: 52.7 million euros). The adjusted EBIT margin was 7.8 percent ( H1 2022 : 8.5 percent). The operating net cash flow was negative at -12.9 million euros in the first half of 2023 (H1 2022: 9.8 million euros). One reason for this was investments in additional production capacities: In the first half of 2023, NORMA Group opened a new plant for water management products in the USA and expanded a location in China.
Guido Grandi: “NORMA Group performed well in the first half of the year. The business environment will remain challenging in the second half of the year. However, we have created a good starting position for the coming months and want to further increase our efficiency in production and logistics as the year progresses. We have identified a variety of growth opportunities in our strategic business areas of industrial applications, water management and mobility and new energies and will consistently exploit them.”
NORMA Group launched the five-year “Step Up” growth program in May 2023. The measures are divided, on the one hand, into growth and investment plans for the three strategic business units Industrial Applications, Water Management and Mobility and New Energies and, on the other hand, into measures to increase operational efficiency. With these measures, NORMA Group wants to ensure long-term profitable growth.
Forecast for 2023 confirmed
The Management Board confirms the expectations for the 2023 financial year published at the end of March with regard to growth, profitability and cash flow: NORMA Group is aiming for organic group sales growth in the mid-single-digit range for the year as a whole. In terms of profitability, the board expects an adjusted EBIT margin of around 8 percent for 2023 . The target value for the operating net cash flow is around 70 million euros.
Nexus Circular CEO Jodie Morgan to Receive 2023 ICIS Emerging Leader Award
ICIS is pleased to announce Jodie Morgan, CEO of Nexus Circular, as the winner of the 2023 ICIS Emerging Leader Award.
The award recognises a leader whose early contribution has driven excellence within their organisation, demonstrating strong leadership and making meaningful contributions to the chemical sector.
“We are leading the advanced recycling industry, making a positive impact addressing the challenges of used plastics in our environment,” said Jodie Morgan, CEO of Nexus Circular.
“With the support of committed investors and strategic offtake partners, our team is rapidly executing the next phase of growth to accelerate the circular economy for plastics and meet the outsized market demand for products that incorporate recycled plastic,” she added.
Since her appointment as CEO of Nexus Circular in November 2021, Morgan has overseen an equity raise of over $150 million, the securing of long-term contracts to supply pyrolysis oil feedstock to major polymers producers to produce circular virgin-quality plastics that offset fossil-based resources, and the expansion of manufacturing capacity at two sites.
“Nexus is playing a key role in the recycling ecosystem, with its technology able to process hard-to-recycle plastic waste, including films. Scaling up capacity will make a meaningful impact in enabling circularity,” said Joseph Chang, global editor of ICIS Chemical Business.
Morgan will receive the ICIS Emerging Leader Award later this year and appear in a video interview with ICIS following the ICIS Recycled Polymers Conference in Chicago, Illinois, US taking place from 7-8 November.
Atlanta, Georgia-based Nexus Circular utilises a proprietary pyrolysis technology and energy-efficient process to convert landfill bound plastics, predominantly films and flexible packaging, into a high quality ISCC PLUS certified pyrolysis oil. This can be fed directly into existing petrochemical assets and infrastructure without the need for post-treatment or further upgrading.
Nexus’ advanced recycling process can utilise high density polyethylene (HDPE), low density PE (LDPE), polypropylene (PP) and polystyrene (PS) waste plastics which represent approximately 60% of the plastic types produced.
Nexus Circular has multi-year offtake agreements with Shell, Chevron Phillips Chemical, Braskem and LyondellBasell. In January 2021, Cox Enterprises invested an additional $150 million to facilitate the rapid scaling of Nexus’ capacity which includes the expansion of the Atlanta, Georgia facility and the construction of a second facility in the Southeast.
With More Efficiency and a Lower Carbon Footprint to the Solar Race in Australia
New solar car “Adelie” makes rounds in Leverkusen
A lot of teamwork, passion and experience lead to optimized prototype
Covestro materials in the new vehicle and sports outfit of the team
With a highly efficient, self-developed solar car, Team Sonnenwagen wants to take part in the Bridgestone World Solar Challenge from October 22 to 29, 2023, the toughest solar race in the world, across the Australian outback. But before that, the team of students from RWTH Aachen University and Aachen University of Applied Sciences made a stop at Covestro’s headquarters in Leverkusen, Germany. In the Campus building there, the company hosted a farewell party for the students, who presented their new solar car “Adelie” and took it for several laps in public for the first time – without any fuel or charging station. Covestro shares the students’ enthusiasm for more sustainable mobility and has supported the team with innovative material solutions, professional exchange and as a main sponsor for about five years.
“I am amazed by the increased efficiency and energy savings you achieve with each new car model,” said Chief Technology Officer Dr. Thorsten Dreier in welcoming the guests. “The Covestro Adelie shows on a small scale what high-performance plastics can do for a sustainable future on a large scale. We are convinced that they are the key to sustainable mobility. That’s why we are consistently driving forward material innovations and recycling solutions together with our partners in industry and science.”
Optimization through teamwork
Even during the two-year development period of the Covestro Adelie, the teamwork of around 50 students led to success: aerodynamics, electrical engineering, driving strategy, chassis, powertrain and structure interlock perfectly. More than 200,000 hours of calculations were required to optimize the exterior shape, plus 10,000 workshop hours for the body, and many more days for electrical and mechanical components and the development of the driving strategy.
“A lot of work, heart and soul and the concentrated experience from our three predecessor models have gone into the Covestro Adelie,” confesses Clemens Odendahl, head of marketing at Team Sonnenwagen. “Now we hope to win the Challenger class, in which we are the only German team competing. There, it’s all about performance and maximum energy efficiency.”
Thanks to the optimizations, the structure of the new model weighs 16 percent less than that of its predecessor, the Photon, and the chassis even has 20 percent less weight. This improvement is also due to some Covestro materials, such as a battery cover made of the high-performance plastic polycarbonate and the construction of the seat shell with thermoplastic polyurethane. The Photon is also currently on campus and will remain there for some time.
“Adelie”, the latest Sonnenwagen model, turned a few farewell laps on a circuit specially set up in the Chempark – much to the delight of Covestro employees, who were able to watch the solar racer in action.
More sustainable outfit
But the Aachen-based tinkerers are not only committed to more sustainability on the road – their official outfit was also produced using alternative raw materials with fewer petrochemical components. Both the shoes and the shorts were provided by Covestro’s Chinese partner Huafeng. The two companies jointly developed a design for them using Huafeng’s HAPTIC textile coating system, which is made with Covestro’s partially bio-based Impranil CQ DLS/1 polyurethane dispersion.
Covestro wishes Team Sonnenwagen every success and victory in the Bridgestone World Solar Challenge. This time, 42 teams from 23 countries are taking part in what is probably the toughest solar car race in the world. Under harsh climatic conditions, they have to master the more than 3,000-kilometer route from Darwin to Adelaide as quickly as possible, right across the Australian outback.
