Trinseo’s Automotive team have successfully developed a unique, luxury interior plastic for the new Audi A6 and A7. Following two years of collaboration, the new A6 models were launched last week with interiors of soft-touch, cost-effective Trinseo VELVEXTM Reinforced Elastomer.
In a successful previous project with Audi, Trinseo’s Technology Leader Norwin van Riel and his team tested VELVEXTM 5250 ESU using the injection molding tool on Audi’s A3 convertible door module.
To ensure that VELVEXTM 5250 ESU could meet Audi’s rigorous requirements, the plastic parts were tested for 18 months outside of laboratory conditions in the deserts of Africa and Arizona. With its excellent haptics, high-scratch resistance, low-gloss levels, and durability, the elastomer perfectly met Audi’s requirements.
The completion of this extended test period was a triumph for the team, which showed that VELVEXTM could maintain its high-quality under tough conditions. Therefore, Samvardhana Motherson Peguform (SMP) chose Trinseo to supply a high-quality and cost-effective elastomer for the new Audi A6 and A7.
“After working closely with the Audi team on a number of projects, our team were able to understand their requirements and develop a material that would match their needs,” Claus Hermans, Trinseo’s Technical Service & Development team. “Working closely with the local SMP team, we were able to balance product cost with haptic quality and excellent durability to deliver the best possible elastomer for the client effectively.”
The quality of the Audi A6 and A7 interiors has attracted praise from the automotive press and interest from other manufacturers, making it a success not only for Audi, but also for Trinseo’s Automotive teams.
“Trinseo’s research and development process included rigorous testing outside the lab to prove VELVEXTM maintains its soft-touch and scratch resistance properties in extreme conditions,” said Thomas Heck, Trinseo’s Development and Application Design Engineer. “As a result, Audi could have full confidence in the quality of Trinseo’s material solutions.”
About Trinseo
Trinseo (NYSE: TSE), a specialty material solutions provider, partners with companies to bring ideas to life in an imaginative, smart, and sustainability-focused manner by combining its premier expertise, forward-looking innovations and best-in-class materials to unlock value for companies and consumers.
From design to manufacturing, Trinseo taps into decades of experience in diverse material solutions to address customers’ unique challenges in a wide range of industries, including consumer goods, mobility, building and construction, and medical.
Trinseo’s approximately 3,400 employees bring endless creativity to reimagining the possibilities with clients all over the world from the company’s locations in North America, Europe, and Asia Pacific. Trinseo reported net sales of approximately $4.8 billion in 2021. Discover more by visiting www.trinseo.com and connecting with Trinseo on LinkedIn, Twitter, Facebook and WeChat.
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