Magna International Inc. and the National Research Council Canada are setting up a research center to develop lightweight, strong composite parts for vehicles.
The Magna-NRC Composite Centre of Excellence will be established in the Magna Exteriors and Interiors facility in Concord, Ontario, north of Toronto. The center's aim is to come up with parts that are safe, affordable, environmentally friendly and fuel efficient for the Canadian and global automotive industry.
The center will be equipped with modern molding equipment for thermoplastic composites, the partners announced Dec. 18. Technologies include direct-long-fiber thermoplastics and sheet molding compound. The partners said such technologies have been identified as the best prospects for reducing the weight of structural car parts, making them more fuel efficient and affordable.
Research will begin immediately and the new center is expected to be operating in summer of 2010.
“Automotive suppliers and original equipment manufacturers that lead the industry in innovation and productivity know that vehicles of the future will need more composite content in order to provide the fuel economy, utility and safety that consumers demand,” Magna Exteriors and Interiors President Bob Brownlee said in a news release.
Also present at the center announcement in Ottawa were federal Minister of Industry Tony Clement and NRC President Pierre Coulombe.
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