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ISL AUTOMOTIVE and Henkel start new technology in automobile industry
Beginning in 2011 the series production of parts of the new Ford Focus will commence in the new ISL Logistics Center, Saarwellingen, in the industrial park. With the new process technology that was developed in cooperation with ISL Automotive and the adhesive Manufacturer, Henkel, the Ford plant in Saarlouis is the leader worldwide.
Vehicle doors are sound-optimized with the so-called Terophon ® HDF * and at the same time lighter and less expensive. While Ford will switch worldwide to Terophon ® HDF with the new Focus, Ford plays a prominent role in Saarlouis with the largest volume use of Terophon ® HDF. With this, ISL takes on another important function as a long-standing dependable partner for innovative logistics systems at Ford.
Single parts of the doors are coated with Terophon ® HDF (High Damping Foam), a special foam, which is supplied as granules by Henkel and first applied by ISL in highly modern Henkel extrusion equipment to the body parts. Through the heat in the electric paint ovens at Ford, it later bonds to the body before it finally hardens completely. The vehicles are also lighter, because heavier, conventional solutions have been done away with altogether. Terophon ® HDF allows the automotive industry additional savings made possible through a further reduction of sheet metal sections. And this technological innovation can also be used in many other areas – for example, in a “silent” dishwasher.
ISL AUTOMOTIVE has invested around 4.2 million Euros in its logistics center. The investment grant from the Saarland is around 600.000, – €. It originated in an area of 10,000 square meters, not only innovative production facilities and advanced process technologies, but also 36 new jobs – despite high automation. To the high acclaim of press and industry associations, the new production lines were presented to the public on 22 November 2010.
The Saarland’s Economics Minister, Dr. Christoph Hartmann, sees the support measures in the highly successful development confirmed during his visit. He wishes Dr. Berthold Reitz, of Henkel and the Management Board of ISL AUTOMOTIVE continued success.
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