Page 58 - SAEINDIA Magazine December 2020

LIGHTWEIGHT

Feature

HENKEL SHOWS HOW TO SLASH WEIGHT AND CUT

DEVELOPMENT TIME

German chemical major Henkel is eyeing smart gains with its strategic alliance
with RLE International. The company says it can help OEMs shed vehicle weight,
by a substantial 30kg in most cases while also increasing product strength
and bringing down product development time. Nilesh Wadhwa reports on the
lightweighting initiatives and their impact on the overall industry dynamics.

The battle against weight gain Joint Reinforcement for
Tail Gate
is a constant one, both for Stiffness & Roof Crush Upper Door Reinforcement
human beings and for vehicles (A & B-Pillar Joints) Frame Stiffener for rear crash
too. Lean translates into mean Upper Load path
and slashing the kilos and (Shotgun Rail)
shedding the grams is the
mantra that gives both man and
machine the fuel to extend their
range.
Reducing vehicle weight,
through a combination of
lighter but stronger parts,
new materials and modern Rocker
production processes to Rail Reinforcement
for Stiffness &
Rocker
achieve a happier but stronger Bumper Reinforcement Kick-up Reinforcement Side Impact
for High Speed
mobile machine, one which Offset Crash Front & (Partial or Full Length)
Rear
goes farther in terms of fuel
efficiency, is what automakers term engineering know-how and best-in-class material
the world over have been striving for a long time. The science to enable next-generation design solutions and
quest for lightweighting has become even stronger with new levels of lightweight structures. Through a holistic
the advent of electric vehicles, which depend on batteries development approach from concept to launch and series
to give them their travel range before they stop to juice production, Henkel and RLE International aim to ensure
up at a charging station.
process security and sustainability of all development,
For German chemical major Henkel, which is a leading engineering, and material processes. That’s the overall
partner for the global as well as Indian automotive strategy.
industry for improving performance, reducing weight, and To understand more on how Henkel India is working on
enabling sustainability through its adhesives, sealants and new products and technologies to slash vehicle weight,
functional coating, the focus on lightweighting has been a Autocar Professional spoke to Barun Bharadwaj, Regional
constant one.
Head of Automotive OEMs — India, Middle East, and
In addition to its core business, in 2018, Henkel joined Africa, Henkel India. When asked about the progress with
forces with RLE International to form a strategic alliance RLE, Bharadwaj said: “That is going very well. We have
to drive automotive innovation, expand value creation very positive traction along with our customers, not only
opportunities and become the premier design-in in India but also globally. Talking about India specifically,
engineering solution provider for the mobility industry. since we announced the alliance, we have been awarded
This meant the joint approach to market would grant three programs which, at present, are in the design phase
customers access to a unique global combination of long- and the vehicles are due to be launched in 2023.”

56 DECEMBER 2020 MOBILITY ENGINEERING