BASF/Toray in tie up on composite tapes for auto sector

Japanese composites supplier Toray Advanced Composites and German chemicals firm BASF have signed a manufacturing and supply agreement focused on the production of continuous fibre reinforced thermoplastic (CFRT) tapes for the automotive and industrial markets. Toray will produce CFRT tapes using Ultramid engineering thermoplastics developed and produced by BASF. The fibre manufacturer will reinforce BASF’s Ultramid PA6 (Polyamide) resins with either glass or carbon fibre.

The supply agreement enhances manufacturing capacity providing wider commercial availability of CFRT materials, which will enable the adoption of advanced materials for lightweight, structural components in a wide range of industrial markets. With these CFRT materials, automotive manufacturers can design and rapidly produce optimized components at a lower cost, while using the latest fabrication methods such as automated stamp forming and overmoulding, say the companies.

“By developing innovative lightweight, composite material technologies for automotive applications, this partnership underlines both companies’ strong commitment to drive sustainable solutions,“ stated Jeff DeAlmeida, Vice President, Transportation Industry, Performance Materials North America, BASF.

Toray says its CFRT materials are compatible with a wide range of BASF’s Ultramid compounds, enabling more efficient, multifunctional parts to be produced in fewer steps and with less labour compared to more traditional methods.