Bayer MaterialScience has introduced a new lightweight polycarbonate and polyurethane material suitable for automotive roof structure glazing. The material offers weight reductions of up to 50% when compared to similar glass products. A prototype of a roof module with glazing and integrated solar modules, developed by Webasto, was exhibited as part of an electric vehicle at last year’s IAA Frankfurt motor show. The module weighed just 20kg, primarily due to the lightweight panoramic panel made from Makrolon AG2677 polycarbonate. “Automotive glazing made using our polycarbonate can make a key contribution to offsetting the continuing heavy weight of batteries for electric cars,” said Dr. Sven Gestermann, Key Account Manager for Automotive Glazing at Bayer MaterialScience. “A key aim of current developments is to signifi cantly extend the travel range of vehicles. Automotive manufacturers are therefore showing great interest in glazing systems based on our plastic.”

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