Germany-based Henkel and RLE International have agreed to form a strategic alliance to drive automotive innovation and expand value creation opportunities and become the premier design-in engineering solution provider for the mobility industry.
Automotive megatrends and future mobility concepts driven by increasing environmental legislation, e-mobility and autonomous driving are shaping the engineering challenges of the industry: New architecture designs and solutions are required to reduce weight and increase safety. Furthermore, the integration and protection of batteries and electronic components play a crucial role in development and manufacturing.
“To design new e-mobility concepts and lightweight innovations, the combination of material science and engineering expertise is a significant competitive advantage”, says Dr Christian Kirsten, corporate senior vice president, Henkel Transport and Metal.
“Together with RLE International we will create ‘The Mobility Alliance’ with advanced simulation capabilities of full vehicle crash behaviour to improve passenger safety, and component design competence to improve vehicle performance”, adds Chuck Evans, corporate vice president, Henkel Automotive OEM Design.
RLE’s core business includes engineering expertise in vehicle component development and design. Ralf Laufenberg, CEO RLE International, reveals that it is active in the fields of concept development, vehicle and safety engineering, as well as electrics/electronics, e-mobility and lightweight design. He further adds, “Once combined with Henkel’s advanced materials know-how in high-performance adhesives and sealants, structural foams and sound-deadeners, we will become the go-to engineering partner and preferred advanced material supplier in the industry.”
According to Henkel, this joint approach to market will grant customers access to a unique global combination of long-term engineering know-how and best-in-class material science which will enable next-generation design solutions and new levels of lightweight structures.
Through a holistic development approach from concept to launch and series production, Henkel and RLE International are looking to ensure process security and sustainability of all development, engineering and material processes.
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