BONN, Germany – Kautex Textron, a subsidiary of Textron Inc., has secured its first order from an automotive OEM for its new thermoplastic composite underbody battery protection skid plate. The skid plate will be part of the company’s new Pentatonic battery system product line, aimed at supporting battery electric vehicle production.
Pentatonic is a highly customizable solution that is both lightweight and strong. The new skid plate design can be used in both on-and-off-road applications and features a 50% weight reduction compared to traditional steel designs. This reduction in weight, combined with the material’s inherent corrosion resistance and design flexibility, results in improved serviceability and a higher value proposition than other alternatives.
“Kautex is proud of its 88-year history of innovation and is thrilled to have its Pentatonic technology chosen by this automotive OEM,” said Jörg Rautenstrauch, President & CEO of Kautex Textron. “We are excited to offer a complete thermoplastic composite battery structure in future design and development projects.”
The Pentatonic system has received recognition for its innovative design and performance, having won the Enabler Technology Award from the Internationale Gesellschaft für Kunststofftechnik and a Langxuan Innovation Award in China. The system underwent rigorous testing and met international standards, including the Chinese GB 38031 standard and the ECR R100 from the Economic Commission for Europe. Tests included mechanical shock, crush, drop, vibration, and bottom impact, among others.
“Our research, development, and testing have shown that the Pentatonic system offers improved performance and reduced weight and CO2 emissions while simplifying production processes,” said Felix Haas, Director of Pentatonic Product Development. “Our customer is at the forefront of the industry’s transition to composite-based structures and understands the benefits our system offers.”
