The requirements for plastics in cars

From plastic windows and ‘on-demand functions’ to antimicrobial surfaces, the proportion of plastics in cars is growing, as are the demands made on this versatile material. Furthermore, new mobility concepts, such as car sharing, present developers with new challenges to overcome. Innovative plastics concepts are necessary in order to integrate a variety of functions and designs and to make vehicles safer and more efficient in the process.

The number of people using car-sharing services is constantly growing. This means that several people use a single vehicle on any given day, which could lead to the spread of disease-causing germs and bacteria on textiles, steering wheels, dashboards and footwells. Specials surfaces made of plastic, with additional biostabilisers and antimicrobial additives, are very useful in these cases. These agents and additives kill viruses, bacteria or fungi and stunt their growth by releasing more or less toxic combinations.

At PIAE 2019, Manfred Schneider, Chemical Consultant for Technical Development at i.t.a. KG, Kirkel will present his paper ‘Trends in Vehicle Interiors’, which is focused on the antimicrobial equipment of textiles and decorative materials for personal transport and car sharing concepts.

The traditional VDI plastics congress will showcase a completely new and revised event concept on the 3rd and 4th of April, including more content, interactive program points and modern entertainment. VDI Wissensforum has fundamentally changed the concept and structure of the PIAE – Plastics in Automotive Engineering Congress in Mannheim. This was based on a detailed survey of participants.

Whats new?

• High quality of presentations through a call for papers and selection by the program committee.
• New Mobility Area shows you automotive trends on real-world examples.
• Interactive discussions: engage in exchange with other experts and discuss questions about plastics technology while making new contacts.
• Parallel-running workshops guarantee detailed technical insights and knowledge transfer.

Facts and figures

• Over 1,400 participants from 14 countries.
• 120 exhibitors.
• More than 50 presentations concerning plastic applications in automotive engineering.
• World Café: ‘Discuss the challenges of automotive and societal trends driving plastic applications in vehicles’.

Simultaneous translation will be offered for all presentations held in German language.