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
United First Partners Serves as Introducing Broker on Mayflower IPO, a UK Listed Acquisition Vehicle and Among the Largest Primary New Issues in London in 2025, Highlighting UFP’s Increasing Presence Across ECM10.12.2025 19:42:00 EET | Press release
United First Partners (“UFP”) is pleased to announce its role as Introducing Broker on Mayflower Acquisition Limited (“Mayflower”), which completed its IPO today, raising USD 500 million. The size of the capital raised places Mayflower among the largest London acquisition vehicles of recent years. The offering represents an important development for UFP’s expanding capital markets platform and reflects the firm’s increasing activity within Equity Capital Markets (ECM). About Mayflower Acquisition Limited Mayflower is a UK Listed Acquisition Vehicle, sponsored by TOMS Capital and JRJ Group, incorporated to unlock exits across a closely-held company universe, including long-held private equity assets and large family-owned businesses. Mayflower’s structure provides guaranteed capital to asset owners, offering a flexible liquidity solution and higher potential for transaction success, and highly aligned economics to investors, with a significant Sponsor commitment of USD 75m. Mayflower wa
Abu Dhabi Launches FIDA Cluster to Shape the Next Generation of Financial and Investment Solutions10.12.2025 19:21:00 EET | Press release
Abu Dhabi has launched the FinTech, Insurance, Digital and Alternative Assets (FIDA) cluster to accelerate the development of next-generation financial and investment solutions and expand the emirate’s role as a global capital hub. Spearheaded by the Abu Dhabi Department of Economic Development (ADDED) and the Abu Dhabi Investment Office (ADIO), the cluster is a core pillar of Abu Dhabi’s long-term economic diversification agenda. By 2045, FIDA is projected to contribute an additional USD 15.2 billion to Abu Dhabi’s direct GDP, generate 8,000 skilled jobs and attract at least USD 4.6 billion in investment, cementing the emirate’s position as a destination for innovative and resilient financial systems. FIDA brings together high-growth areas where technology, regulation and capital intersect, including fintech, digital assets, insurance, reinsurance and alternative investments. It aims to position Abu Dhabi as a preferred jurisdiction for global firms seeking to design, test and scale n
Xsolla Celebrates a Week of Industry Programming at The Game Awards With a New Brand Launch, Day of the Devs Participation, and GamesBeat Hollywood & Games 2025 Partnership10.12.2025 19:00:00 EET | Press release
Xsolla, a leading global video game commerce company that helps developers launch, grow, and monetize their games, today announced a unified lineup of programming during The Game Awards week in Los Angeles. Together, these initiatives showcase Xsolla’s commitment to bringing the community and ecosystem together to support creators, strengthen the relationship between games and their players, and enable games to reach more markets around the world. The week of activities includes its partnership with GamesBeat Hollywood & Games 2025, a featured role during Day of the Devs: The Game Awards Digital Showcase, Games for Love’s The Game Gala, and the unveiling of Xsolla’s refreshed brand identity. This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20251210688609/en/ Berkley Egenes – Chief Marketing & Growth Officer at Xsolla The brand refresh is the centerpiece of Xsolla’s presence throughout the week, reflecting Xsolla’s future-forward
Hanseo University Expands Aviation Training Program with New Frasca Flight Training Device10.12.2025 17:05:00 EET | Press release
Frasca International, Inc., a FlightSafety International company and leader in flight simulation, today announced that Hanseo University in South Korea is expanding its aviation program with a new Level 5 Cessna 172 Flight Training Device (FTD), the seventh Frasca device to join the university’s fleet. Hanseo University’s school of Aeronautical Science recognized by the Korean University Accreditation Institute as the nation’s first Specialized University for Training Professional Workforce Industries, continues to expand its state-of-the-art simulation capabilities with the acquisition of a Level 5 Cessna 172 FTD. The addition builds on a partnership with Frasca that has spanned more than two decades and further advances aviation education across Asia. “We were seeking simulators that provided both realism and reliability, and Frasca stood out immediately,” said Dr. HanSuk Jung, Vice President Aeronautics, Hanseo University. “Over the years, our partnership has become a deep and lasti
Bregal Milestone Announces Majority Growth Investment in Beyond Now10.12.2025 17:00:00 EET | Press release
Bregal Milestone, a leading European software growth private equity firm, today announced a majority growth investment in Beyond Now (the “Company”), a fast-growing, cloud-native supply chain software provider for AI-enabled digital commerce. Driven by strong customer demand, Beyond Now has generated profitable growth and >40% last twelve-month ARR growth. Beyond Now supports some of the world’s largest and most innovative Communication Service Providers (CSPs), including Verizon, AT&T, Deutsche Telekom, and NTT, in managing complex digital supply chains to create seamless end-to-end partner and customer operations. Founded in 2018, the Company serves telecommunication providers, technology companies, and private enterprises to efficiently scale and monetize digital services through its suite of modern, Ecosystem Orchestration and Digital Platforms - including an AI Digital Business Platform for orchestrating partner offerings, an AI Digital Marketplace solution for personalized custom
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