Fuel efficiency does not have to be achieved at the expense of performance and style

Dow Automotive Systems offers a wide range of solutions that reduce vehicle weight – increasing fuel efficiency. This helps vehicle makers meet today’s stricter standards without sacrificing performance. We are also working on new technologies for more energy-efficient powertrain solutions for today and tomorrow.

Lighter Than Steel

As fuel consumption is primarily driven by vehicle weight, a logical solution is to make lighter cars. High-performance plastics, foams and resins can reduce vehicle costs and weight by replacing steel. For example:

• SPECTRIM™ reaction moldable polymers for fascia, body and door panels, bumper beams and exterior trim components are 40 percent lighter than steel and 25 percent lighter than other plastics.
  
  
• BETAFOAM™ structural foams enhance vehicle structural integrity while allowing for down-gauging of steel.
  
  

Stronger Than Welds

By maximizing structural performance and minimizing weight, BETAMATE™ structural adhesives can help conserve energy while increasing vehicle stiffness and improving crash resistance. For example, when used on front-end carriers to bond polypropylene molding to a metal reinforcement, BETAMATE™ low energy substrate adhesives (LESA) replace mechanical fasteners such as rivets and heat stakes and provide up to 20 percent weight reduction.