Henkel heads for Japan

Henkel has opened a state-of-the-art test facility for composites in Japan.

The new Composite Lab in Isogo-ku, Yokohama, will allow automotive customers from across Asia to team up with Henkel experts to develop and test composite parts, and to establish the best process conditions to make their ideas ready for market.

The new Composite Lab will allow automotive customers to work with Henkel experts to develop and test composite parts, and also optimise series production process conditions. They can carry out trials with different test moulds on Henkel’s own high pressure resin transfer molding (HP-RTM) equipment. The HP-RTM machine includes a 380 tons press for trials close to series production conditions.

Frank Kerstan, global program manager automotive composites, said, ‘We are very proud to have this new state-of-the-art test centre in Asia. As vehicle manufacturers worldwide look to reduce weight in cars and trucks to help boost fuel economy and reduce emissions, they are having to set aside the mindset that has dictated traditional material and process choices, and look at new and emerging technologies. Both our Composite Labs offer OEMs and Tier-One suppliers the opportunity to work together with our experts to learn first-hand what the options and possibilities may be for using advanced composite materials with short production cycle times in their vehicles.

Last year, Henkel also opened a Composite Lab in Europe – in Heidelberg, Germany.

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