Polyscope Polymers B.V. has recently won a JEC Innovation Award in the Automotive Applications category.
Polyscope's Xiran SGH30EB glass-filled thermoplastic composite was designated by Webasto France and Groupe Renault for the installation of roller shutter rails on panoramic roof modules. Since 2016, the material has been used in Renault Scenic series models and Renault Scenic MPV models.
This is a major innovation for the automotive industry. This is the first time that thermoplastic composites have successfully replaced aluminum, which is often used in sunroof designs, in mass-produced passenger cars.
From traditional anodized aluminum extruded profile rails to thermoplastic composite rails, Renault Group has improved the design of the car: free up 13mm headspace for passengers, and increase the viewing field through glass panels (that is, daylighting ports).
The Xiran SGH30EB composite guide rail simplifies the construction and installation of sunroofs on the landscape and large landscape assembly lines. Overall, the project significantly reduced the installation costs and improved design costs of the panoramic sunroof.
This project is a collaboration between the Polyscope team, the car manufacturer Renault Group, the automotive sunroof system tier one supplier Webasto SC, and the professional tool making and mold maker AARK-Shapers.
"We are very excited to receive the JEC Innovation Award." Said Ferdi Faas, Business Unit Director of Polyscope Polymers BV. "The development of this material is challenging for the Polyscope team and we are very honored to be working with Webasto France and Renault work together in a superior technical, design and engineering team. "