Rheinmetall Automotive acquires stake in CarbonTT; expertise in lightweight engineering and production
13 September 2019
Automotive supplier Rheinmetall Automotive, a member of the Technology Group Rheinmetall, is systematically expanding its longstanding expertise in automotive lightweight engineering. Through its subsidiary KS Kolbenschmidt GmbH, the Neckarsulm-based company has now acquired a 24.9% stake in Carbon Truck & Trailer GmbH, Stade/Germany.
Carbon Truck & Trailer (CarbonTT) is a start-up company founded in 2013 with currently 12 employees, until now family-owned. The company, which is located in the ‘CFK Valley Stade’ competence network, develops and manufactures innovative load-bearing structural components made of carbon fiber-reinforced plastic (CFRP). CarbonTT is focused on the cost-effective series-production of CFRP chassis for light commercial vehicles.
CFRP is up to 70% lighter than steel and 30% lighter than aluminum. This weight reduction permits less fuel consumption, increased payload, and/or a greater range for battery electric vehicles.
For Rheinmetall the aim of the cooperation is to support CarbonTT to industrialize the production process to OEM standards and to organize the corresponding quality system. In addition, the contribution of other Rheinmetall techniques and products opens up a strategic option for the development of additional lightweight applications as well as integrated modules and systems.
The Hardparts Division of Rheinmetall Automotive is contributing its more than one hundred years of experience in the demanding implementation of automotive manufacturing processes to the cooperation and at the same time diversifying into a new material and field of business.
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