Borealis presents solutions to automotive industry challenges at SFIP Congress

SFIP Congress 2009
June 10-11, 2009

Borealis, a leading provider of innovative, value creating plastics solutions, will present its comprehensive package of automotive industry-focused investments and innovations at the 2009 Société Française des Ingénieurs des Plastiques' (SFIP) Congress from June 10-11, 2009 in Clermont-Ferrand. Designed to aid Tier One suppliers and OEMs meet the market's complex economic and manufacturing challenges, Borealis' proactive response includes new applications that deliver weight-savings, greater fuel efficiency and lower system costs, and enhanced supply and support capabilities.

Polypropylene (PP) innovations used by renowned automotive manufacturers to raise the performance, aesthetic and manufacturing efficiency of interior, exterior and under-bonnet parts on their latest vehicles will be featured on the Borealis Stand, alongside global investments in compounding, supply partnerships and sales support. Borealis' customer-focused solutions include:

Reducing vehicle weight by replacing steel: a customised all-PP rear seat carrier for the new BMW 7 Series. The all-PP solution delivers a significant weight reduction for the total system and improved recyclability

Creating high-level surface aesthetics and advanced safety: bumpers, fascias and grilles on the new Opel Insignia use Borealis grades with outstanding UV stability, superior paint adherence, excellent impact/stiffness ratio and very low Coefficient of Linear Thermal Expansion (CLTE) to ensure precise-fitted parts with the narrowest gap tolerances and an enhanced overall appearance

Improving supply capabilities: new compounding sites, including a 50,000 tonne plant in China for automotive engineering plastics through Borealis' joint venture Borouge, one in Brazil, and manufacturing and supply agreements with affiliates of Mitsubishi Chemical Corporation

Strengthening-on-the ground support: the appointment of sales agent, Polymer Z, to target the North American automotive market

During the congress, Thomas Rothmayer, Application Marketing Manager from Borealis' business unit Mobility, will present on the company's latest innovation for seat backrest structures - Borealis PP SGF 30 - developed specifically to meet market expectations for structural seat parts with improved safety levels. The new 100% PP Xmod™ short glass fibre compound offers, in addition to excellent dimensional stability, design flexibility, fewer manufacturing steps and low weight compared to steel structures that add up to an overall part cost reduction of 20% and up to 35% less weight.

"In the present economic climate we see it as our priority to develop new applications and focus on investments and partnerships that make a positive contribution to addressing the demanding market conditions faced by today's automotive industry," comments Harald Hammer, Vice President of Borealis' business unit Mobility. "Borealis' portfolio of Daplen™ thermoplastic olefins, Borcom™ PP grades, Nepol™ long glass fibre and Xmod™ short glass fibre materials are among specifiers' preferred choice for achieving production efficiency and superior quality components. We look forward to demonstrating to the SFIP Congress visitors how our investment, innovation and partnership approach is allowing manufacturers and Tier Ones to lead the way terms of vehicle design, functionality and environmentally-friendly performance."

For more information meet Borealis at the SFIP Congress Stand.

For further information please contact:

Kerstin Meckler
Head of Communications, Borealis
Vienna, Austria
+43 1 22 400 389
kerstin.meckler@borealisgroup.com