China’s rare earth magnet export ban threatens global EV and automotive manufacturing, as US, European and Asian carmakers scramble to secure critical materials The global automotive sector is facing renewed disruption as China tightens control over exports of heavy rare earths and magnets. With EV powertrains and chips at risk, OEMs are now racing to diversify supply. Ilkhan Ozsevim
Henkel’s Bergquist Liqui Form TLF 6500 CGel-SF enhances ADAS thermal performance, ensuring reliability, efficiency, and sustainability in next-generation automotive electronics PARTNER CONTENTThis content was produced by Automotive Manufacturing Solutions in partnership with HenkelADAS technology demands high-performance computing, generating heat that risks system efficiency and longevity. Henkel’s Bergquist Liqui Form TLF 6500 CGel-SF provides advanced thermal management, reducing stress on components and enhancing sustainability in production. AMS
JLR and partners push seat foam circularity forward through digital tools and collaboration, accelerating sustainable material reuse in luxury vehicle production JLR’s breakthrough in seat foam circularity is powered by digital tools, data-driven traceability and production/supply chain collaboration. The Circularity Lab’s ‘learn through doing’ approach is setting new industry benchmarks for material reuse and sustainable innovation. Ilkhan Ozsevim reports. Ilkhan Ozsevim
AAM’s $1.4bn acquisition of GKN Automotive could mark a major shift in automotive manufacturing, strengthening its position in driveline systems and electrified vehicle production American Axle & Manufacturing’s $1.4 billion acquisition of GKN Automotive is set to reshape global automotive manufacturing, strengthening its position in driveline systems and EV production as the industry moves towards electrification Ilkhan Ozsevim
JLR advances circular economy with closed-loop seat foam recycling, reducing waste and emissions in luxury vehicle production JLR’s Circularity Lab leads an industry breakthrough by creating closed-loop recycled seat foam for luxury vehicles. This innovation addresses recycling challenges, reduces emissions, and supports the Reimagine strategy for an all-electric future. Ilkhan Ozsevim
SAMES’ solutions: precise assembly processes for battery packs PARTNER CONTENTThis content was produced by Automotive Manufacturing Solutions in partnership with SamesAs the electric vehicle (EV) market grows, the need for efficient and safe battery pack assembly intensifies. Benoit Batllo from SAMES shares how the company tackles challenges in applying critical materials like dielectric coatings, fire protection coatings, and thermal conductive adhesives (TCAs) AMS
Henkel celebrates 100 years of automotive innovation and sustainability PARTNER CONTENTThis content was produced by Automotive Manufacturing Solutions in partnership with HenkelHenkel is celebrating its 100-year anniversary serving the automotive industry. To mark this milestone, the company speaks to AMS about its heritage, its impact on the industry today, and how Henkel will shape the vehicles of the future. AMS
New additive manufacturing applications for the auto industry A technology that continues to develop with new materials and applications, ArcelorMittal believes additive manufacturing has clear potential in the automotive industry to optimise global platforms and extend their longevity. ArcelorMittal
VW in cooperation to develop sustainable materials for vehicle interiors Volkswagen will work with Revoltech to develop sustainable bio-based leather alternative made from industrial hemp. Nick Holt
Mahindra & Mahindra to pioneer ABB’s Inkjet paint technology in Indian EV market Mahindra & Mahindra partners with ABB Robotics to implement PixelPaint technology in its new EV line. The innovative system ensures precise paint application with minimal waste; a key step in automotive personalisation and efficiency for the Indian market. Ilkhan Ozsevim
Is ABB Robotics’ new inkjet paint tech the future of automotive paintshop? Automotive production paintshop is energy-intensive and costly. Could a new ‘inkjet’-type paintshop technology solve several production issues at once? With major implications for sustainability and customisation, ABB’s PixelPaint sees an explosion in demand. Ilkhan Ozsevim
How BMW is ramping up its circular production and sustainability principles as it drives towards electrification BMW’s Dr. Irene Feige, Head of Climate Strategy and Circular Economy says that circular economy is becoming central to BMW’s automotive production landscape, part of its wider push for sustainable production and supply chains. Ilkhan Ozsevim
Changing dynamics– developing the next generation of vehicle architectures Building electric vehicles has demanded big changes in OEM production operations and increased support from tier suppliers. Gestamp’s director of R&D North America, Paul Belanger, shares some insights into the company’s development and how it’s managing the engineering challenges around EVs Nick Holt
Bridgestone commits a European record €207m investment to its Burgos tyre plant in Spain, aiming for BCMA principles and sustainable production The record €207m investment aims at integrating BCMA to streamline production, boost capacity and promoting sustainable manufacturing Ilkhan Ozsevim
The co-evolution of EVs, architectures and production processes Electric vehicles and batteries are influencing automotive manufacturing decisions, driving changes in vehicle architectures, production processes and material choices. Gestamp and ArcelorMittal discuss their strategies Ilkhan Ozsevim
Managing materials choices – Fossil-free steel SSAB has produced and sold its Fossil-free steel, which is now being used in limited series production by Volvo. But there is a weakness in the definition of ‘green steel’. Experts from SSAB and Volvo Group share some insights into challenges this presents to the wider acceptance of these materials and how they are managing this with greater transparency. Nick Holt
Painting a brighter day: increasing speed, reducing errors in paintshop Sébastian Salze at SAMES and Robin Kaufmann at FANUC joined the eighth panel at Automotive Evolution Europe to discuss optimising processes and reducing waste in the paintshop. Christopher Ludwig
Material matters: body, forming and process transformation Michel Peña at Teknia, Jesse Paegle at ArcelorMittal and Jonas Adolfsson at SSAB joined the seventh panel at Automotive Evolution Europe to discuss how new technology and materials are ushering in new innovations in manufacturing. Christopher Ludwig
Renault Trucks to recover, resell parts from used vehicles in circular economy push The recovery of used parts suitable for re-sale builds on the company’s existing initiative to refurbish and modernise second-hand trucks. Peter Murphy
Continental to offer low-carbon biomass-based plastic for car interiors Continental said the biomass-derived PVC’s equal performance to conventional plastics makes the material a straight swap from petrochemical use but with a smaller carbon footprint in manufacturing. Peter Murphy
Energy, mineral supplies could be bottlenecks to EV and battery production As battery gigafactories put new demands on national energy systems, battery experts say energy costs and the supply of renewable energy could mean it takes longer for Europe to reach zero-emission mobility targets. Christopher Ludwig Peter Murphy
Mercedes-Benz opens Alabama battery plant and will partner with Envision AESC for regional cell supply Mercedes-Benz has opened a new battery assembly plant in Bibb County, Alabama, which will build electric vehicle battery packs that will supply production of the all-electric Mercedes-EQ ahead of the beginning of series production this spring at the Mercedes-Benz US International (MBUSI) plant nearby in Tuscaloosa. Jason Dunn
An electric shock to the system Italvolt founder Lars Carlstrom has a mission to scale up EV battery production in Europe with a new factory in Italy – and a blueprint for scaling up gigafactory development. He speaks to Christopher Ludwig and Daniel Harrison Christopher Ludwig Daniel Harrison
End-to-end sustainability: accelerating to zero emissions and the circular economy Manufacturers are increasing efforts to reduce waste and to reuse and recycle material, including packaging and battery materials. In this session, executives from Magna, CSR Europe and Li-Cycle discuss initiatives in the circular economy and to reduce overall emissions AMS
How the European automotive industry aims to build back semiconductor and chip supply OEMs, suppliers and EU officials are considering how best to develop Europe’s semiconductor manufacturing to mitigate current and future shortages, but the broad gaps at many levels – including for older, larger chips – mean there will be no magic bullet Namrita Chow
Playing catch-up in plastics recycling for automotive production A closed loop for plastics in the automotive industry has so far been a distant dream, as an unmanageable variety of mixed materials makes recycling them into new high-quality materials unviable. Fortunately, there are some promising new approaches on the horizon. Chris Löwer Illya Verpraet
Sustainability at the core of leadership at Scania and ArcelorMittal At last week’s inaugural AMS livestream, Scania’s Mathias Wijkström was joined by ArcelorMittal’s Hugo Da Gama Campos to discuss making automotive production greener and how it is vital to put sustainability at the heart of the production system. Illya Verpraet
Bloodhound’s additive challenge Advances in additive manufacturing are being put to the most stringent of tests as the Bloodhound Land Speed Record project makes its first high-speed runs. Chris Pickering speaks to the engineers behind the project and the contribution made by 3D-printed components, one of the key production technologies helping to make the attempt possible Chris Pickering
