End of Life Vehicle (ELV) adds another factor to the discussions interior suppliers such as Johnson Controls have with their OEM customers. Johnson Controls work with the OEM for each new development. They automatically offer them recycling concepts which include easy assembly, easy disassembly and lower material combination. These days, alternative materials are likely to be offered. For instance, in the design and development of seating, the company may change metal wires to plastic parts, so the foam assembly can be disassembled more efficiently. At the same time as looking for alternative materials, Johnson Controls has been working on minimising its own scrap, which is not contaminated with other materials as it is in a complex seat taken from a scrap car. In one of their plants in Western Europe, they reduce foam scrap by grinding the mushrooms (foam that has fully cured on the outside of the mould during filling) and mix them again with the raw material, polyol. This mixture is used for the foam production again. Johnson Controls is also involved in a project with an unnamed German university to recycle complete cushions. Two new material recycling processes by Johnson Controls - one for natural fibre materials and one for glass fibre reinforced plastics - dispense with thermal processing of around 480 tonnes of production waste per year. Johnson Controls has also developed a material recycling process for glass fibre reinforced plastics such as those used in instrument panels. Car interior upholstery made from a natural fibre called FaserTec combines economic and ecological objectives and can contribute to sustainability, says Johnson Controls. It also claims that this modern version of rubberised hair cushion can increase seat comfort. For decades, rubberised hair padding was used for car seats until cost forced it out of the market. Johnson Controls has now come up with a concept that 'modernises' the traditional material. Properties include high breathing and moisture absorption capability and low thickness combined with high material strength minimises the amount of space components take up. Also, zones with different firmness can be created within a single cushion. This not only helps seats maintain their shape, but also increases comfort. In addition, old padding can be recycled.


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    Titel :

    Scrapheap challenge


    Erschienen in:

    Automotive Engineer ; Jan. ; 30-31


    Erscheinungsdatum :

    2006


    Format / Umfang :

    2 Seiten, 2 Bilder



    Medientyp :

    Aufsatz (Zeitschrift)


    Format :

    Print


    Sprache :

    Englisch