ContiTech opens 3D blow moulding plant in China

Changshu, China – ContiTech AG has expanded its footprint in China with the opening of a production plant for 3D blow mould hoses in Changshu.

The company announced 28 Aug that the RMB70 million (€10 million) production unit will supply hoses for high-performance turbochargers for automotive OEMs.

The hoses, ContiTech confirmed to ERJ, will be made of thermoplastic elastomers, expanding the company’s products and solutions portfolio within the Chinese automotive industry.

“The investment into the new plant underlines our focus on and commitment to the Chinese domestic market, especially the automotive market,” said Thomas Reichenbach, manager of the 3D blow moulding project of mobile fluid systems, a business unit of Continental Corp.

According to ContiTech, the TPE materials used for the hoses will contribute to lower weight of parts while increasing performance.

Additionally, with the adoption of the blow molding technology, the company expects pollution emissions to reduce during production, meeting the requirements for sustainable liquidity and improving the utilisation rate of production materials.

Another advantage of the new production process, according to ContiTech, is the elimination of production and assembly of intermediate parts by automotive parts suppliers.

“By relying on the 3D blow moulding technology, auto parts manufacturers will [be] shortening the supply chain, improving the production efficiency... and ultimately meeting the needs of automakers for rapid production and iteration,” ContiTech noted.

The plant in Changshu is Continental’s fourth production site featuring the 3D blow moulding technology across the world, following Waltershausen in Germany, Somersworth in the US and San Luis Potosi in Mexico.

The unit is set to start mass production in the third quarter of 2018.