Automotive interior tier one supplier Kotobukiya Fronte sign license to use EconCore’s thermoplastic honeycomb production technology

Published on 07-01-2020

EconCore, the technology provider for continuous production of thermoplastic honeycomb sandwich materials, has signed a license agreement with Kotobukiya Fronte, a leading manufacturer of car interior components, headquartered in Japan. The Japanese company, with several production locations worldwide, has installed EconCore’s production technology addressing the market demand of weight and cost efficiency. The innovative honeycomb material solutions of Kotobukiya Fronte are now offered under the brand name of M-Light^®.

 

EconCore offers a cost-efficient, continuous, high-volume production process for lightweight thermoplastic honeycomb sandwich panels. EconCore’s customers and licensees in Europe, Asia and in Americas have already entered the transportation market with the honeycomb technology. The light but strong honeycomb sandwich panels have already proven to be a genuine benefit not only for the automotive industry. With the new license agreement, the smart and efficient honeycomb production process is now being used by an established Tier 1 supplier who will drive innovation and performance further.

 

Adopting the process for continuous production of thermoplastic honeycomb panels, the Japanese Tier 1 supplier is shifting to a unique market position by integrating the innovative production and material technologies. The production of rigid panels integrated with in-line lamination of nonwoven and carpet surface layers enables a more efficient production process of finished automotive interior elements. Furthermore, the lightweight thermoplastic honeycomb panels can be converted into relatively complex shaped parts within a short compression molding process cycle.

 

Jochen Pflug, CEO of EconCore said: “We are very pleased and proud of having Kotobukiya Fronte join the family of our licensees. We’ve seen the market shift to lighter, sustainable materials, and OEMs insist on keeping costs competitive at the same time. This development is helping to evolve the automotive interior market and EconCore’s technology is helping to transform the market with its superior performance and enhanced acoustic properties. We are confident Kotobukiya Fronte is the right partner to develop new honeycomb products for automotive interiors and we are keen to support them with their innovative plans.”

 

Mr.Tsuchiya, CEO of Kotobukiya Fronte said: “We are excited to have EconCore’s honeycomb process for our product. This material with our production technologies can bring a positive impact on the acoustic performance, light weight, rigidity of automotive parts. We believe the product with this material can satisfy automotive OEM customers globally.”

 

About Kotobukiya Fronte

Kotobukiya Fronte, the pioneer of car interiors established in 1945, have been providing parts for automotive interiors ranging from floor carpets and accessory mats to seat fabrics. At present, operating a total of 18 bases attached to 12 companies in six countries worldwide - Japan, China, Thailand, Indonesia, the U.S and Mexico. During the past five to six years through the mid-term plan, sales have sharply increased through expanding the customer portfolio with Monozukuri (manufacturing) improvement and new technology/new product development. For more information, please visit www.kf-k.co.jp.