Continental Structural Plastics, Inapal Components Reduce Weight, Complexity for New Luxury SUV in Europe
21.10.2020 14:30:00 EEST | Business Wire | Press release
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
Hitachi Unveils a New Global Digital Services Company Turning Cloud, Data and AI Into Measurable Business Outcomes: Hitachi Digital28.10.2026 02:00:00 EET | Press release
Hitachi, Ltd. (TSE:6501, “Hitachi”) today announced plans to launch Hitachi Digital Inc. (“Hitachi Digital”), a new global digital services company, on April 1, 2027, in accordance with the integration plan announced in January 20261. Hitachi Digital will unite Hitachi’s U.S. subsidiaries, GlobalLogic Inc. (“GlobalLogic”) and Hitachi Digital Services LLC (“Hitachi Digital Services”) under a single company using the Hitachi brand, with a brand campaign launching today. Hitachi Digital will steadily guide enterprise digital transformation at the convergence of cloud, data and AI toward concrete business results. This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20261027531796/en/ Hitachi unveils a new global digital services company turning cloud, data and AI into measurable business outcomes: Hitachi Digital With approximately 35,000 professionals in 27 countries and more than 880 active clients, Hitachi Digital combines product a
Grid Dynamics Launches Business Process Consulting Practice to Bridge the Gap Between AI Investment and Business Results27.10.2026 22:05:00 EET | Press release
Grid Dynamics Holdings, Inc. (Nasdaq: GDYN) (“Grid Dynamics”), a premier AI transformation partner for the Fortune 1000, today announced the launch of its Business Process Consulting practice, extending the company's AI transformation capabilities across the entire AI adoption lifecycle, beyond technology implementation to non-technical areas of enterprise AI value creation. Grid Dynamics has established itself as a leader in enterprise AI engineering, developing and deploying advanced AI solutions for some of the world's largest enterprises. Drawing on this experience, the company is expanding its focus to two critical factors in maximizing the business impact of AI: identifying the business domains and processes with the greatest potential for AI-driven improvement, and ensuring that the resulting solutions are successfully adopted across the enterprise. Starting with early discovery, the practice identifies and prioritizes high-value transformation opportunities, establishes busines
Logitech Announces Q2 Fiscal Year 2027 Results27.10.2026 22:05:00 EET | Press release
SIX Swiss Exchange Ad hoc announcement pursuant to Art. 53 LR — Logitech International (SIX: LOGN) (Nasdaq: LOGI) today announced financial results for the second quarter of Fiscal Year 2027. Sales were $1.22 billion, up 3 percent in US dollars and 2 percent in constant currency, compared to Q2 of the prior year. GAAP gross margin was 44.9 percent, up 150 basis points compared to Q2 of the prior year. Non-GAAP gross margin was 45.2 percent, up 140 basis points compared to Q2 of the prior year. GAAP operating income was $201 million, up 5 percent compared to Q2 of the prior year. Non-GAAP operating income was $231 million, up 0.4 percent compared to Q2 of the prior year. GAAP earnings per share (EPS) was $1.25, up 9 percent compared to Q2 of the prior year. Non-GAAP EPS was $1.51, up 4 percent compared to Q2 of the prior year. Cash flow from operations was $164 million. The quarter-ending cash balance was $1.51 billion. The Company returned $406 million of cash to shareholders in the qu
Hightouch Partners with Independent Media to Activate Reader and Commercial Data27.10.2026 18:01:00 EET | Press release
Hightouch, the leading agentic marketing platform, today announced a partnership with Independent Media, publisher of The Independent. Independent Media will use Hightouch to connect its customer data to marketing tools. With Hightouch, the company will send readers more relevant membership and subscription offers, build stronger audiences for its advertising partners, and grow its affiliate and e-commerce business. “Deepening customer relationships and delivering real value to our commercial partners requires moving seamlessly from insight to action,” said Krishan Gandhi, Director of Data Intelligence and Monetisation at Independent Media. “Partnering with Hightouch allows us to utilise our warehouse data directly into our engagement tools, powering real-time, omnichannel journey orchestration, while enabling us to build premium audience segments with far greater speed and agility.” “Independent Media has a large, loyal readership and strong relationships with advertisers,” said Matth
IFF Identifies Ten Consumer Moments Reshaping Food and Beverage Innovation in the GLP-1 Era27.10.2026 17:00:00 EET | Press release
IFF (NYSE: IFF)—a global leader in flavors, fragrances and health and biosciences, today launched its latest report, “GLP-1 Consumer Moments of Opportunity.” The report uncovers ten emerging consumer moments that reflect the changing needs of consumers using GLP-1 medications. This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20261026614988/en/ New report from IFF uncovers ten emerging consumer moments that reflect the changing needs of consumers using GLP-1 medications. “What GLP-1 users need from food and beverage products depends on the moment, and those needs can change many times throughout the day,” said Yuvraj Arora, president of IFF Taste. “The most successful innovations will be designed around the occasions that matter most to consumers, delivering the right balance of nutrition, enjoyment and functionality for each one. Understanding these moments can unlock entirely new avenues for innovation." While much of the indus
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
