Israel-Adler 1st Call for Proposals for the Development of New Materials & Solutions for the Automotive Industry

The call for proposals is published in the framework of the R&D Collaboration with Multinational Corporations (MNC) program of the Israel Innovation Authority. The goal of the program is to encourage the creation of MNC-Startup partnerships in Israel.
Following an agreement between the Israel Innovation Authority and Adler Pelzer Group, a worldwide leader in design, engineering, and manufacturing of acoustic and thermal components and systems for the automotive sector, a 1st call for proposals is being launched for the development of new materials and solutions to support the needs of the automotive industry.

The call includes 2 topics:

1. Composites performance improvement and functions integration
   Conventional composites, out of autoclave, RTM or thermoplastic matrix, have a good ratio performances/weight. But in the Automotive application, this is not enough to become competitive vs conventional solutions. Automotive business has some sectors, E-cars for example, where light weight solutions are extremely important. Additionally, composites costs are too high for Automotive, due to fiber and process costs. Function integration could be one way to reduce overall costs of the system.
   Adler Group is looking for a technical solution that allows to reduce structural composites weight by 20% compared to conventional solutions maintaining same thermo-mechanical properties. This could be achieved mainly by developing new fiber/fabrics types/properties, as well as utilizing Graphene to improve properties. Additionally, a new way to transfer electrical energy/power through the composite’s component must be developed, using intrinsic electrical conductivity of carbon fibers. The two different integrated developments must lead to an overall target cost comparable to today’s know-how solutions.
2. Polyurethane foaming process improvement- release agent application free
   Polyurethane polymer and foam have the characteristic to strongly stick to molding tools. To avoid this behavior, a release agent is usually applied onto the tools surface. This is done by spraying a dispersion of wax or polymers. Alternatively, a release film or an IMR solution could be used. Mold release agents lead to higher cost and environmental effect (that leads to additional investment in pollutant treatment, before going to the exhaust system). The protective release film generates higher material and processing cost (and sometimes must be thermoformed) , while IMR may later need to be painted or applied with glue to laminate a face fabric / leather onto PUR surfaces.
   Adler Group is looking for a technical solution where no release agent, barrier film or IMR are requested to mold polyurethane foams (Polyol+Isocyanate; flexible, integral, semirigid) into an aluminum tool. Preferred solution is a permanent / hemi permanent tool surface treatment that allows a proper de-molding.  No functionality reduction on the PUR foams (mechanical/ thermal/ surface adhesion properties) would be accepted when compared to conventional foam properties. Typical PUR formulation used: flexible foam having a density of 60 kg/cm or viscoelastic foam with a density from 80 to 120 kg/cm  or integral PUR foam with a density of around 240 kg/cm