Requirements for Improved Performance of Specialty Sealing and Bonding Materials for Automotive Applications

Driven by global pressures of weight reduction and cost savings, suppliers of specialty sealing and bonding products to the automotive industry have responded by expanding the focus of their product development activities. OEM engineering practices have brought about significant changes within the specialty sealing and bonding supply base. The successful suppliers in this market have responded to these pressures and initiated changes in the processes through which their materials are developed and released into production.

In an industry historically populated by chemists and manufacturing process engineers, new requirements have led to an increase in application engineers and technical specialists, providing the necessary vehicle development expertise to the sealant industry. To support these expanded roles, new research and development facilities and associated advanced technologies have become a critical requirement. These additional technical capabilities are required elements in the response to the increased demands of the OEM market.