Innovative Materials Taking Advanced Air Mobility to New Heights
Lightweight Solutions for Extended Range
While every gram matters in electric vehicles, weight reduction becomes even more critical in eVTOL vehicle applications, where it directly impacts flight time, range, and overall energy efficiency. Our advanced eVTOL materials portfolio includes lightweight polycarbonate glazing solutions that can replace traditional glass, offering cost effective weight savings while maintaining exceptional optical quality and impact resistance. Carbon fiber-reinforced polycarbonates provide ultimate lightweight performance combined with high strength and durability, helping manufacturers achieve optimal weight-to-performance ratios.
Design Freedom for Next-Generation Cabins
The aerodynamic requirements of flying cars demand complex curved surfaces both externally and internally. Our high-performance polycarbonate solutions enable designers to achieve these sophisticated shapes while maintaining structural integrity. The material's exceptional formability and design freedom allow for the creation of sleek, aerodynamic structures that optimize both aesthetics and performance. Our materials can be processed using various techniques, including injection molding and thermoforming, providing manufacturers with flexible production options while ensuring consistent quality.
Functional Integration for Smart Systems and Autonomous Driving
eVTOL cabins demand sophisticated user interfaces and ambient experiences. Our advanced materials enable the seamless integration of curved displays for infotainment systems, smart touch interfaces, and ambient lighting solutions to enhance the passenger experience while maintaining the lightweight properties crucial for flight performance. The ability to combine multiple functions in single components also helps reduce assembly complexity in the manufacturing process and overall system weight.
Our Makrolon® AG polycarbonates support autonomous flight capabilities through seamless sensor integration, offering high signal permeability for LiDAR and other sensor technologies while providing excellent mechanical properties. Our materials’ glass-like transparency and weather resistance ensure reliable sensor performance in various environmental conditions, contributing to safer autonomous operations.
"The advanced air mobility sector demands materials that combine exceptional performance with sustainability. Our high-performance polymer solutions aren't just meeting these requirements – they're enabling manufacturers to push the boundaries of what's possible in eVTOL design and efficiency."
Powering Electric Innovation
Much like electric vehicles, eVTOLs will require high-voltage charging systems to support their high-performance powertrains. Battery packaging, internal bracket and e-powertrain materials must not only meet high CTI (Comparative Tracking Index) standards to prevent electrical tracking but also exhibit exceptional flame retardancy, dimensional stability, and long-term property retention. These characteristics are crucial for maintaining the electrical integrity and safety of advanced battery technologies.
Our high-CTI polycarbonates provide reliable performance and safety in demanding electrical environments, ensuring that eVTOLs can operate with confidence. For battery packs, these materials offer outstanding flame retardancy and thermal stability, crucial for preventing overheating and ensuring consistent performance. Additionally, our thermally conductive polycarbonate compounds enhance heat dissipation in battery modules and power electronics, helping maintain optimal operating temperatures during flight. Our extensive portfolio also includes materials that withstand high heat and humidity conditions, ensuring excellent aging resistance. These materials have been rigorously tested to ensure reliable, long-term performance in the evolving eVTOL industry.
"The convergence of automotive and electronics in eVTOL applications creates unique material challenges. Our expertise in high-performance polymers for electronic and electrical applications - from electronics integration to high-voltage systems - is helping manufacturers bridge this gap, enabling smarter, safer, and more efficient advanced air mobility solutions."
Circular Economy at New Heights
Sustainability is central to the future of aviation. Our circular economy solutions include partially recycled content materials, renewable attributed solutions, as well as design concepts that facilitate end-of-life recycling. This commitment to sustainability extends throughout the entire supply chain, from material selection to end-of-life considerations, helping manufacturers reduce their environmental impacts while meeting increasingly stringent environmental regulations.
Partnership in Innovation
We have announced a strategic collaboration with GAC Group, a leading Chinese automotive manufacturer, to develop eVTOL materials that enable more efficient and sustainable urban air mobility. This partnership focuses on developing high-performance and sustainable materials for both the exterior and interior components of the flying cars. Our contribution includes providing advanced polycarbonate solutions for panoramic glazing, lightweight structural components, and smart cockpit applications. Through this partnership, we aim to accelerate the development of safe, sustainable, and commercially viable flying vehicles, setting new standards for the emerging eVTOL industry.
Beyond material supply, we offer comprehensive support to eVTOL manufacturers throughout their development journey. Our technical experts provide guidance on material selection, processing parameters, and design optimization. Through our global network of technical centers, we offer prototype development, material testing, and simulation services. Our collaborative approach helps eVTOL manufacturers streamline their development efforts while enhancing the overall user experience. As the industry evolves, we are also working closely with key stakeholders across the value chain to establish relevant standards for eVTOL components and applications.
The dawn of advanced air mobility represents a transformative moment in transportation history. Through material innovation and strategic collaborations, we are helping to turn this vision into reality. By combining cutting-edge materials science with sustainability principles, we're not just developing components for flying vehicles – we're helping create the foundation for a new era of transportation that promises to be safer, cleaner, and more efficient than ever before.
Key benefits
- Enhanced Performance: Lightweight, high-strength materials optimize flight range and efficiency.
- Enhanced Performance: Advanced polymer solutions enable complex aerodynamic shapes and seamless integration of smart functionalities in sophisticated cabin designs.
- Safety Assurance: Materials meet rigorous safety standards with excellent flame retardancy and electrical safety properties for high-voltage applications.
- Sustainable Value: Circular economy solutions and multi-functional components offer both environmental benefits and cost effectiveness throughout the product lifecycle.
