Asia auto makers eager for new materials, says Bayer

22 October 2009 21:31  [Source: ICIS news]

DIDCOT, Oxfordshire (ICIS news)--Auto manufacturers in China and across Asia are much quicker and more responsive in adopting advanced materials than their counterparts in Europe and the US, leading to opportunities for chemical companies selling to those markets, the head of Bayer MaterialScience said on Thursday.

“There is a greater willingness to accept advanced materials as they have no preconceptions and will accept totally new products,” Patrick Thomas, chief executive of the German chemical group told ICIS at a press briefing at the Williams Formula One racing track near Didcot in southeast England.

“What’s different is the immediacy,” Thomas said. “They work with a design cycle of 3-5 years compared to seven in Europe. It’s not even in their imagination to spend seven years on a design.”

He added: “We see this as an opportunity. If it’s faster then we clearly get more opportunities to get new products into the vehicle. In China they’re very environmentally aware and seem to be very interested in going direct to non-hybrid, all electric vehicles.”

Thomas said Bayer MaterialScience saw the main growth opportunities from its portfolio in providing traditional polycarbonate lens systems, glazing systems replacing glass in vehicles, particularly sunroofs and rear tailgates for sports utility vehicles (SUVs). Polyurethanes for seating and sound absorbing systems plus interior trim were also promising.

“Now we’re increasingly getting interested in using carbon nanoparticles, particularly carbon nanotubes to improve composites and achieve really light-weight construction,” he added.

Thomas said the market for cars is growing so quickly in China that the country will still need to suck in large number of imported vehicles this year despite the fact it will manufacture 10m domestically. The country has a huge number of urban areas where people will require small, urban vehicles. Electric vehicles would suit this market, he said.

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By: Will Beacham
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