MADISON HEIGHTS, MICH. - Auto suppliers Cambridge Industries Inc. and Empe Werke of Geretsried, Germany, have formed a joint venture to market a flax-filled polypropylene resin for interior trim applications. The EmpeFlex-brand resin will be marketed exclusively in North America through a joint venture called C.E. Automotive Systems. EmpeFlex is mat-formed in a compression molding operation.
Cambridge, based in Madison Heights, said the flax fibers used in EmpeFlex replace additives such as phenolics and glass that produce harmful emissions and are abrasive.
Cambridge said EmpeFlex is being used in door panels for the 1995 Opel Corsa and BMW 3-Series, both manufactured in Europe.
