Continental Structural Plastics, Inapal Components Reduce Weight, Complexity for New Luxury SUV in Europe
Inapal Plásticos, Continental Structural Plastics’ operations in Portugal, will be manufacturing a number of lightweight, low-density sheet molded compound (SMC) components for a premium luxury auto maker’s first SUV. These 11 components, ranging from under hood to underbody and Class A components, will reduce part complexity and overall vehicle weight.
This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20201021005037/en/
Advanced composites allow for the molding of complex shapes to minimize parts, reducing weight and assembly complexity. (Photo: Business Wire)
By molding the complex radiator assembly frame in a low-density composite material, the OEM was able to minimize the number of parts required under the hood, significantly reducing assembly complexity and weight. Such parts are traditionally steel or aluminum and require multiple stamped components to be assembled to create the final product. Further, the SMC allows for the molding of complex shapes and deep draws, enabling CSP to create a finished assembly that fits the dramatic and distinctive styling of the vehicle.
The vehicle’s tailgate, molded in low-density, Class A SMC, is finished by CSP with a conductive primer before being shipped to the customer. This Class A SMC is e-coat oven capable, giving the customer the freedom to paint the tailgate in-house with the rest of the vehicle.
“Because this vehicle is the first SUV to be manufactured by this particular automaker, there are no direct comparisons to provide exact weight savings afforded by the use of low-density SMC,” said Orlando Rebelo, program manager at Inapal Plásticos. “But it is safe the say the weight savings will be significant and will contribute to the luxury performance customers will expect from this vehicle.”
The components will be manufactured at the CSP facilities in Leça, and Palmela, Portugal.
About Continental Structural Plastics
Continental Structural Plastics, a Teijin Group company, has provided leading-edge technologies in lightweight composite solutions for the automotive, heavy truck, HVAC and construction industries for 50 years. Headquartered in Auburn Hills, Michigan, CSP provides full-service engineering support, and holds multiple patents covering materials development and manufacturing processes. The company has operations on three continents and more than 4,300 employees. For more information, visit cspplastics.com.
About the Teijin Group
Teijin (TSE: 3401) is a technology-driven global group offering advanced solutions in the fields of environmental value; safety, security and disaster mitigation; and demographic change and increased health consciousness. Originally established as Japan's first rayon manufacturer in 1918, Teijin has evolved into a unique enterprise encompassing three core business domains: high-performance materials including aramid, carbon fibers and composites, and also resin and plastic processing, films, polyester fibers and products converting; healthcare including pharmaceuticals and home healthcare equipment for bone/joint, respiratory and cardiovascular/metabolic diseases, nursing care and pre-symptomatic healthcare; and IT including B2B solutions for medical, corporate and public systems as well as packaged software and B2C online services for digital entertainment. Deeply committed to its stakeholders, as expressed in the brand statement “Human Chemistry, Human Solutions”, Teijin aims to be a company that supports the society of the future. The group comprises more than 170 companies and employs some 20,000 people across 20 countries worldwide. Teijin posted consolidated sales of JPY 853.7 billion (USD 8.0 billion) and total assets of JPY 1,004.2 billion (USD 9.4 billion) in the fiscal year that ended on March 31, 2020. Please visit www.teijin.com.
To view this piece of content from cts.businesswire.com, please give your consent at the top of this page.
View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20201021005037/en/
Contact information
Kim Zitny
+1 248-535-6944
kim.zitny@cspplastics.com
About Business Wire
For more than 50 years, Business Wire has been the global leader in press release distribution and regulatory disclosure.
Subscribe to releases from Business Wire
Subscribe to all the latest releases from Business Wire by registering your e-mail address below. You can unsubscribe at any time.
Latest releases from Business Wire
Ookla Unveils Speedtest Pulse™, Redefining Network Validation and Troubleshooting10.11.2025 13:00:00 EET | Press release
Ookla®, a global leader in connectivity intelligence, today unveiled Speedtest Pulse™, a new network diagnostic device designed to provide definitive, smartphone-based validation and troubleshooting for internet service providers (ISPs) and enterprises. Leveraging the power of Speedtest®, a globally trusted gold standard for connectivity measurement, Speedtest Pulse bridges a crucial gap in technician toolkits, offering a powerful, scalable solution that is easy to use and provides clear, actionable insights. This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20251110605367/en/ Speedtest Pulse™ is a dual-mode network diagnostic tool offering one-tap, smartphone-based validation and troubleshooting, and autonomous testing of network performance and user experience. The launch comes at a pivotal inflection point for the industry. Wi-Fi is no longer a commodity; it is critical infrastructure for modern homes and businesses. It serves
Kaneka Expands Global Reach with i-ED COIL™ Launch in Europe10.11.2025 04:51:00 EET | Press release
Kaneka Corporation (Headquarters: Minato-ku, Tokyo; President: Kazuhiko Fujii) (TOKYO:4118) has begun sales of its i-ED COIL™, a brain aneurysm embolization coil (*1), in Europe as of October. The product obtained EC certification (*2) under an EU Medical Device Regulation (*3) in July and will be distributed primarily in Europe through Kaneka Medical Europe N.V. This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20251109744229/en/ i-ED Coil The i-ED COIL™ provides world-class flexibility, enabled by its specialized wire thickness and structural features. This flexibility enables coils to be packed more densely within aneurysms than conventional products and allows treatment of aneurysms with irregular shapes. Its role in reducing the risk of aneurysm rupture is highly regarded by physicians, and since its launch in the Japanese market in 2019, sales have continued to grow steadily. Kaneka is expanding its business in a wide range
Vertex Presents Updated Phase 1/2 Data From RUBY-3 Study That Continue to Demonstrate Best-in-Class Potential for Povetacicept in Adults with IgA Nephropathy and Primary Membranous Nephropathy at American Society of Nephrology Kidney Week9.11.2025 00:15:00 EET | Press release
Vertex Pharmaceuticals Incorporated (Nasdaq: VRTX) today announced updated data for povetacicept (pove) in IgA nephropathy (IgAN) and primary membranous nephropathy (pMN) from the ongoing RUBY-3 trial at the American Society of Nephrology (ASN) Kidney Week 2025 in Houston, Texas. Pove is an investigational recombinant fusion protein therapeutic and dual inhibitor of the BAFF (B cell activating factor) and APRIL (a proliferation inducing ligand) cytokines. Pove is the only BAFF+APRIL inhibitor in pivotal trials for multiple kidney diseases. Results were presented today as a late-breaking oral presentation (SA-OR091) and included interim data from the open-label Phase 1/2 RUBY-3 trial, where adults with IgAN and pMN received pove subcutaneously every 4 weeks. The analysis included 21 participants with IgAN and 10 participants with pMN treated with pove at the 80mg dose, of which 17 participants and 5 participants, respectively, completed the Week 48 study visit. Results in IgAN In IgAN,
Westinghouse and Hungary Establish Landmark Nuclear Fuel Partnership8.11.2025 16:00:00 EET | Press release
Westinghouse Electric Company and MVM Group signed a contract to ensure diversification of fuel supply in Hungary. This partnership brings to Paks Nuclear Power Plant (NPP) reliable supply with Westinghouse VVER fuel, manufactured in Europe. The Westinghouse VVER-440 fuel reload deliveries will start in 2028, subject to licensing activities. This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20251107682814/en/ Westinghouse Nuclear Fuel Senior Vice President Aziz Dag, left, and Károly Mátrai, CEO of the MVM Group, signed the Paks VVER-440 contract, Nov. 7, 2025. “Our agreement with Westinghouse is a clear response to today's energy challenges and further strengthens the role of Hungary's leading base power plant in the domestic energy supply. This strategically important step will make the operation of Paks Nuclear Power Plant safer and more flexible. The diversified fuel procurement reduces external exposures and provides predicta
OMRON Releases the “Medium-Term Roadmap SF 2nd Stage”8.11.2025 08:00:00 EET | Press release
OMRON (TOKYO: 6645) has announced its “Medium-Term Roadmap Shaping the Future 2nd Stage (“SF 2nd Stage”),” covering from FY2026 to FY2030, on November 7, 2025 (JST). This Roadmap presents the Group’s vision and growth strategies through 2030, which are disclosed on our corporate website. Overview of the “Medium-Term Roadmap SF 2nd Stage” Since April 2024, OMRON has been implementing a Structural Reform Program “NEXT 2025” aimed at rebuilding our foundation for profitability and growth. With the completion of this Program in September 2025, we have shifted into a growth phase and formulated a new Roadmap looking ahead to 2030. This Roadmap identifies Business Portfolio Restructuring as a core strategy. We have defined Thirteen Focus Businesses to drive the Group’s future growth. By accelerating our selection and concentration efforts, we aim to build a “distinctive” business portfolio that maximizes overall Group growth. Furthermore, to maximize the growth potential of our Focus Busines
In our pressroom you can read all our latest releases, find our press contacts, images, documents and other relevant information about us.
Visit our pressroom