Bookmark 05-20-2014

Borealis Drives Strategic Automotive Projects

Borealis and Borouge, providers of innovative, value-creating plastic solutions for the automotive industry, have worked closely with the Renault-Nissan Alliance to develop a new range of polypropylene (PP) materials that meet the designated “Alliance Specifications” (AS). These specifications have been defined in accordance with the Renault-Nissan product portfolio strategy with the aim to apply them globally on all new cars.

Borealis and Borouge designed PP materials that meet the Renault-Nissan Alliance Specifications (AS), delivering maximum value and optimum performance for the Nissan Qashqai (figure: Nissan)

This follows the trend of using a focused PP product portfolio on common global OEM platforms – such as the “Common Module Family” (CMF), the engineering architecture that covers Renault-Nissan Alliance vehicles for the global compact and large car segments – to bring the cost-performance ratio to the next level. Borealis and Borouge support these efforts with their cutting edge PP materials.

The first and latest vehicle using this CMF C/D segment modular platform is the Nissan Qashqai, produced in the United Kingdom and launched in January this year. Borealis has already supplied two PP Specialty materials for the Nissan Qashqai: EG066AI for door panels (AS3) and MG160AI for interior trims (AS4). Key benefits of these high fluidity PP grades are easy processing resulting in increased production efficiency, high scratch resistance, and excellent surface aesthetics.

“We were able to support the Renault-Nissan Alliance, the CMF C/D segment modular platform in particular, by aligning our strategy and putting in place the necessary resources to support the Alliance in key regions including the EU, Morocco, Russia, Brazil, India, Japan, China, as well as North America in the near future”, said Harald Hammer, Borealis Vice President Application Segment Engineering Applications.

Nissan Qashqai interior (figure: Nissan)

Franck Lagoutte, Global OEM Manager, highlighted: “Our PP materials deliver maximum value and optimum performance for the Nissan Qashqai, and will also be used on other vehicles from the CMF modular platform in the coming months such as the new Nissan X-Trail. Borealis and Borouge strive to provide weight and costs savings to the Alliance with new generations of dashboard, bumper and other structural parts, such as our Fibremod family of PP reinforced fiber materials used in various structural applications such as front end modules, air intake manifolds and tailgate structures. These innovative PP grades offer new potential for sustainable auto parts, helping to make vehicles lighter, leading to improved fuel economy and lower CO₂ emissions.”