The research collaboration agreement between MSC and the Fraunhofer Project Center combines the state-of-the-art technology and capabilities of both partners. Development will be oriented particularly toward total solutions for the mass production of lightweight composites solutions serving the automotive sector. MSC is a global leading thermoset material supplier and has built a leadership position in automotive lightweight composites. The Company opened the Transportation Research and Application Center in Duisburg, Germany, in 2012 where custom lightweight structural composite solutions for clients in the automotive, aerospace and mass transportation markets are supported with testing and application development.

The Fraunhofer Project Center (FPC) at Western University is a not-for-profit partnership between Western University and the Fraunhofer Society, which is Europe’s largest research and development organization for composite materials and their associated manufacturing technologies. The FPC at Western University is positioned to make London, Ontario, the leading site for development of lightweight composites for transportation, building materials and renewable energy sectors, while focusing on applied research in the fields of methods, materials and manufacturing technologies for composites.

“This partnership makes new processes such as HP-RTM or D-SMC lines much more accessible to the North American automotive industry as both the state-of-the-art systems and equipment will be available,” said Rich Myers, chief technology officer, MSC. The Company will also use the Fraunhofer Project Center’s facility and equipment for its own independent research and product development with customers.

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