Page 156 - CW E-Magazine (13-2-2024)

News from Abroad

THERMAL MANAGEMENT
Hyundai Motor & SK Enmove to co-develop next-gen

vehicle refrigerants

South Korean firms – automobile SK Enmove is pre-emptively secur-
giant Hyundai Motor Group and base ing technologies for the next-generation
oil supplier SK Enmove (formerly SK refrigerant based on their decade-long
Lubricants) – have joined hand to de- accumulated expertise in R&D in ther-
velop next-generation vehicle refrige- mal management, including EV lubri-
rants, a market dominated by global cants and immersion cooling fluids.
corporations. Furthermore, SK Enmove plans to secure
global customers by leveraging its pro-
As per an MoU signed by Mr. Yang duction and sales network, established
Hee-won, President, Hyundai Motor heat from engines for heating. Therefore, by the export of its high-quality lubri-
Company, and Mr. Kim Wone-kee, they require refrigerants that can handle cant brand, ZIC, in over 60 countries.
CEO, SK Enmove, the two companies both air conditioning and heating.
plan to develop refrigerants that can be According to assessments by external Both companies will create products
used in air conditioning and heating research institutions, the refrigerant and systems that can promptly respond
electric vehicles (EVs) and build a cir- currently being developed by the two to strengthened global greenhouse gas
cular economy encompassing the entire companies is expected to improve emission regulations. Through this,
refrigerant business. heating performance by more than they anticipate to corner the next-gene-
30% compared to existing refrigerants. ration refrigerant market in advance.
SK Enmove will be responsible Additionally, both companies plan to
for developing the refrigerants, while build this vehicle refrigerant for use in With the strengthened European
Hyundai Motor Group will develop the ICE vehicles. Union (EU) regulations on perfluoroalkyl
vehicle thermal management system and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS)
that incorporates these refrigerants. By utilising the next-generation expected, there is growing interest in
vehicle refrigerant and combining it next-generation vehicle refrigerants. In
The next-generation vehicle refrige- with their accumulated capabilities in response, the companies are developing
rant has enhanced heating abilities thermal management and HVAC (Heating, products that do not fall under PFAS
compared to existing products. Unlike Ventilation, Air Conditioning) systems, regulations, and are also planning to
internal combustion engine (ICE) Hyundai Motor Group aims to enhance establish solutions for the recovery and
vehicles, EVs do not generate waste the driving range of EVs during winter. recycling of used refrigerants.

PLANT UPGRADE
Toray expands carbon fibre production in US

Japan’s Toray has said that its US
composites subsidiary, Toray Composite
Materials America Inc., has commission-
ing an upgraded carbon fibre production
line in its Decatur, Alabama, facility.

The $15-mn upgrade doubles
the capacity of the Torayca T1100
branded carbon fibre and adds criti-
cal redundancy to support the rising
demand for defence applications, the
company informed. Toray’s T1100

156 Chemical Weekly February 13, 2024

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