PPG, Renault-Nissan Partner to Deliver Tailor-Made Adhesives for Cars

PPG Industries Inc (PPG) has entered into a partnership with automotive giant Renault-Nissan Alliance to deliver tailor-made structural adhesives to more than one million Renault, Nissan and Samsung cars across Europe, Asia, North America and South America.

Structural adhesives reduce the use of spot-welding in the manufacturing of cars. This delivers significant weight savings, resulting in improved fuel economy and reduced emissions. Reducing the overall weight of a car by 10 percent improves fuel efficiency by 6 to 8 percent, according to US Department of Energy.

Structural adhesives also strengthen the bind between car parts as they provide a continuous line of glue rather than interval welds, resulting in reduced vehicle vibration and a more comfortable ride.

PPG and Renault Nissan worked closely to co-develop the technology, which delivers durability and manufacturing efficiency that is above industry standards. The partnership involved extensive testing at PPG's tech centre in Saint-Just-en-Chaussee, and Renault Nissan plants, as well as designing new chemical formulations to enhance the glue's performance.

"Our chemists and engineers worked side by side with Renault Nissan's designers and manufacturing teams across Asia, the Middle East and Europe to deliver this unique technology. This successful collaboration is a key step forward for PPG's business and sends a strong message to our customers that we are committed to developing high-quality tailor-made products," said Maxime Goldberg, PPG global business director, automotive adhesives and sealants (A&S).

"The industry is rapidly changing with new technologies and materials used to design and manufacture cars. Today, original equipment manufacturers are under enormous pressure to reduce the weight of a car, and our custom-made structural adhesives are a continuation of our ambition to solve some of their biggest challenges," added Pascal Saunier, PPG key account manager of Renault-Nissan A&S.