Covestro India uses high-performance polymer materials to provide solutions for the automotive industry

Polymer materials lead the automotive industry, followed by various metals and alloys
.
This is true whether it is the exterior bumper, headlights, rear-view mirrors, or interior dashboards, instrument panels,
etc.
The German company Covestro leads the field with its range of high-tech polymers
.
The company supplies a wide range of polyurethane and polycarbonate raw materials to the automotive industry, among others
.

Divakar Gokhale, Head of Mobility in the Indian Subcontinent at Covestro, said: "Further developments in the traditional automotive industry will determine the future demand for this material technology for this niche application
.
" The experts in this product family are always willing to discuss with industry players
.

Automotive interior applications

In the past decade, digitalization has taken over analog systems
.
The infotainment system is a testament to this evolution
.
For example, previous transistor devices have given way to complex aircraft cockpits equipped with floating tabs or infotainment systems, and today there are no dials and levers on the entire instrument panel
.
It's worth noting that these screens and displays are made of polycarbonate, which is Covestro India's forte
.
With entry-level and mid-size cars equipped with such displays, the opportunity to develop this segment is huge, Gokhale said
.

Covestro develops solutions together with OEMs or ODMs, depending on their wish list and concept
.
It offers tailor-made solutions from Covestro's broad portfolio of polycarbonates (PC) and PC blends, as well as special films and coatings for diverse applications
.
Every new innovation comes with a huge R&D cost, but it has to be available at an affordable price, Gokhale added that with the premium experience, versatility and efficiency gains it brings, the reduced cost is directly tied to the input materials
.

Covestro India has also established links along the entire value chain with some cutting-edge technology suppliers who can help bring many new ideas to life
.
For example, Makrolon® PC and Makrofol® films are used in touch panel technology
.
This application requires high purity, clarity, dimensional stability, scratch resistance and several other properties
.
Electronic integration is easy for this application in automotive interiors
.

car dashboard

Dashboards, including infotainment systems, air conditioning vents, instrument panels, and more, are often composed of foam and polyvinyl chloride (PVC)
.
OEMs and Tier 1 suppliers are turning to innovation in their concepts and designs
.
They are offering a range of features for entry-level to high-end products that differentiate the user experience and premium features in each category
.
Gokhale said: “At Covestro India, we have demonstrated innovation by leveraging our unique Makroblend® product, using natural materials such as leather, wood and stone for backlighting applications
.
Due to the trend of electric and autonomous vehicles, instrumentation The board design has changed a lot
.
" He mentions the trend by leading international OEMs to include long/large displays as well as large 3D curved displays
.
For example, he cited sensor-based driver assistance systems and ambient lighting being integrated
.
All of this has resulted in a change in the design and appearance of the dashboard
.

More recently, soft-touch buttons have made their way into the dashboard and steering wheel
.
It is understood that the buttons are constructed of thermoplastic polyurethane
.
When tailored for injection molding, Desmopan® thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) grades offer fast cycle times, high mechanical values ​​and good processability
.
Desmopan TPU has a very soft feel and good abrasion resistance, Gokhale said
.
That is, no additional coating is required
.
Makrolofl® PC films can be used in haptic touch applications
.
These films can be backlit, opaque/translucent colors, and depending on the design, have a matte or glossy finish
.
A coating process can also be used to achieve a soft touch
.

Automotive exterior applications

Decades ago, the automotive industry replaced metal bumpers with thermoplastic olefin elastomers (TPOs)
.
This is done with pedestrian safety in mind, as TPO is crushable and consists of a softer material
.
It is understood that India adopted this practice in 2017
.
The Indian government has banned the use of any kind of metal bumpers or bumpers on vehicles and mandated the use of fiber bumpers
.
Likewise, other auto parts such as wheel covers, rain mirrors, fancy LEDs, etc.
, are also required to be the same
.
Indians prefer chrome trim, especially in headlights, brake lights, weather trims,
etc.
Covestro India offers special Bayblend® grades
.
Bayblend T45PG for this type of chrome finish application is considered suitable
.
Covestro India has also developed a 2k/3k mold with in-mold decoration (IMD) for advanced applications of sensor-based functional integration
.
The headlights and taillights, which were originally made of glass, have been switched to polycarbonate
.
In this case, polycarbonate tends to oxidize over time, turning yellow
.
Covestro India is said to have studied this problem with its solution
.

The company's Bayflex® is used to manufacture OEM applications (factory installed) such as panoramic roofs, which pass mandatory international safety standards
.
These products will only be launched commercially after the required testing and compliance have been established
.
In addition to this, the new car/vehicle system must also obtain AMECA approval for lighting applications and ARAI approval for India
.
In India, Covestro, through its Indian company, is developing a range of products to tap into the markets in which it invests in the future
.