MEDIA RELEASE PR39588
GreenLite(TM) 'Lean Polymers' Offer Weight Reduction Innovations for Automotive Seats
and Headliners
TOKYO, May 18 /PRNewswire-AsiaNet/ --
The days of having to sacrifice performance and cost to offer improved
environmental performance for automotive components are over, thanks to
GreenLite(TM) low mass technologies. The Woodbridge Group is now delivering
more intelligent applications, of "Lean Polymer" technologies to offer
cleaner, more environmentally responsible products, used in seat cushioning,
seat frame and headliner applications.
Dave Miller, Senior Vice President of Technology, The Woodbridge Group
states, "To be a world-class automotive parts supplier, you have to be a
world leader in performance, weight and cost. Thermodynamics tell us, we must
optimize weight and mass vs. energy consumption. If you have a choice between
carrying around a car seat system all day that weighs 10 kgs., or optionally
one that weighs 7 kgs., you can significantly cut your workload by choosing
the latter. These days the entire industry is very focussed on fuel economy,
and the Woodbridge approach is to utilize Lean Muscle Polymers to win the
race. As an automotive engineer, I see the need to use money and weight
allocation, to the best advantage possible. When you're developing parts for
today's vehicles, they better be very lean, highly functional and ideally,
offered at a lower cost."
ComforTech(TM) performance seating urethanes, offer the ideal balance
between comfort, weight, durability and cost. Advanced ComfortZone(TM)
technology can deliver a different firmness in each seat section, to reduce
weight and offer new levels of automotive seating comfort. Through industry
leading process capability, GreenLite(TM) low mass automotive seat
cushioning, independently manages firmness through a wide density spectrum,
to improve comfort, reduce cost and provide up to a 30% weight reduction.
StructureLite(TM) seat frames are manufactured in either Polyurethane or
Expanded Polypropylene, and are used extensively in seat cushion, backs and
bolster applications. Woodbridge GreenLite(TM) low mass technology has
enabled StructureLite(TM) seat frames, to offer automotive manufacturers even
greater mass reduction potential. StructureLite(TM) seat frame technologies
offer seat system advantages such as; integrated anti-submarine ramps, better
trim fit and appearance, safer and more cost effective trim attachment
methods, system cost savings, and up to a 35% weight reduction. Additionally,
StructureLite(TM) anti-submarine solutions improve occupant safety and help
OEMs further reduce weight, cost and complexity.
Woodbridge GreenLite(TM) low mass technology has made possible two
Stratas(TM) automotive headliner innovations. StrataLiner NET(TM) composite
boards provide improved acoustical performance, when package space is at a
premium, StrataLiner NXT(TM) boards deliver cross-sections as low as 2.5 mm.
Stratas(TM) headliner components offer several system advantages over
competing polypropylene composites including; thinner cross-sections,
superior design flexibility, enhanced surface quality, improved acoustics,
better side curtain air bag compatibility, a system cost savings, and up to a
40% weight savings.
The Woodbridge Group GreenLite(TM) ultra-light weight performance
optimized solutions, include seat cushions, seat frames and overhead systems,
to help automakers improve fuel efficiencies, and reduce CO2 emissions.
Woodbridge also offers BioFoam(TM) products, manufactured from renewable
resources, to offer automakers an even smaller environmental footprint. These
technologies are on display at the Japan Society of Automotive Engineers
Show, The Woodbridge Group exhibit within the Canadian Pavilion.
The Woodbridge Group operates over 60 facilities in 21 countries, as the
global leader in the development and production of polyurethane and expanded
polypropylene products. Automotive applications include components for
seating, structural support, headliner systems occupant protection and
acoustical management. Woodbridge also offers assembly and sequencing
services, as well as a full range of value added services including
engineering and design. For more information, visit www.woodbridgegroup.com.
(R) are registered trademarks and TM are trademarks which are either
owned or used under license by Woodbridge Foam Corporation and are also
denoted in bold type.
Contact:
Ken Miyamoto John Bell
Business Development Manager Director of Global Marketing
Woodbridge Japan Inc. The Woodbridge Group
6F, TOM Bldg. 3-37-13, Higashi-Ueno, 4240 Sherwoodtowne Boulevard
Taito-ku Mississauga, Ontario, Canada L4Z 2G6
Tokyo, Japan 110-0015 905-896-3626
+81-3-5846-5855 john_bell@woodbridgegroup.com
ken_miyamoto@woodbridgegroup.com
SOURCE: The Woodbridge Group
CONTACT: Ken Miyamoto,
Business Development Manager,
Woodbridge Japan Inc.,
+81-3-5846-5855,
ken_miyamoto@woodbridgegroup.com;
or John Bell,
Director of Global Marketing,
The Woodbridge Group,
+1-905-896-3626,
john_bell@woodbridgegroup.com
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