Hannover Messe 2011: Engineering Green Value

April 2011Further ContiTech trade fair highlights: health- and eco-friendly materials for vehicle interiors, innovations for renewable energies such as new solar hot water tank. Solar thermal experts discussed potentials of and technologies for private and industrial use of solar heat at Round Table event “Full Power for the Sun”.

Technology leader ContiTech remains on a very successful track for global growth by again expanding business profitably and attaining outstanding results in 2010 after the economically challenging year 2009. "We have achieved the best business results in the company's history and far exceeded our expectations," reported Heinz-Gerhard Wente, CEO of ContiTech AG, at the company’s press conference held to mark the Hannover Messe 2011.

Several factors contributed to ContiTech's positive business results. The rapid recovery of the global automotive industry helped ContiTech, above all in the automotive supplies business. In addition, the company launched new ideas and products on the international markets, and invested in many new development centers and production sites at national and international locations around the world, which help make ContiTech's service and presence even better in these markets. As a result, sales were up 29 percent from about €2.4 billion to about €3.1 billion.

Engineering Green Value

At this year's Hannover Messe – one of the most important industrial fairs worldwide, ContiTech AG showcased under the main theme of “Engineering Green Value” its special technological expertise and forward-looking applications for new key markets, like those for regenerative energy and sustainable mobility.

At Booth A16 in Hall 5, the company presented new skin-friendly and low-emission automotive interior trim materials, which are also free of contact allergens in accordance with Volvo standard ENV0006 or are based by as much as 50 percent on renewable raw materials. And when it comes to products and applications for harnessing power from the sun, wind and water, ContiTech is one of the industry’s preferred technology partners. It displayed international projects and outstanding innovations such as the flexible solar tank at the trade show.

Round Table Event about Solar Thermal Energy

On that note, renewable energy sources also took centre stage at this year’s ContiTech Round Table. Germany’s leading solar thermal expert Professor Klaus Vajen from the University of Kassel joined Claudius Wilhelms, general manager at ContiTech development partner FSAVE, and Alexander Papadimitriou, ContiTech segment head at ContiTech Elastomer Coatings and expert in elastomer high-tech materials, to discuss the prospects of and necessary technologies for supplying heat through solar energy.

When asked about the key trends in the private sector, the scientist drew a clear picture: “The main focus in the end consumer market is now on installing larger systems with higher solar inputs. Of course, this also requires larger heat storage systems.”

Previously, there was no technically satisfactory solution to this problem. Despite high levels of interest, many private consumers were therefore unable to make effective use of the possibilities offered by solar thermal energy. “With the flexible FLEXSAVE Duo solar tank, a joint development with ContiTech, a production-ready product is now available on the market that opens up these new dimensions in storage”, commented Claudius Wilhelms from FSAVE. The general manager is a graduate of the University of Kassel and has spent several years intensively researching new storage technologies. “The aim was to equip the thermal storage system made from multiple component parts with a flexible, steam-tight tank”, stated Alexander Papadimitriou in explanation of the challenges faced by ContiTech Elastomer Coatings, the specialists in elastomer high-tech materials.

However, it is not only in relation to private heat supply that solar systems are enjoying success. “The combination of energy-efficient measures and thermal solar energy also represents a highly promising solution for sustainable heat supply in industrial companies," explained Professor Vajen. “The topic of solar thermal energy is also of interest for the energy demand of ContiTech. In this regard, we are also fostering close contact with the solar experts from the University of Kassel and currently reviewing our usage options," added Alexander Papadimitriou.

The three experts involved in the round table discussion all strongly agreed on one thing when it comes to solar thermal energy: The future market demands a pioneering spirit, technical expertise and mutual cooperation between science and industry.