The 14th Edition CPRJ Plastics in Automotive Conference & Showcase was successfully held today (Nov 13) in Shanghai, China. The event was hosted by Adsale Group and received strong support from the Shanghai Automotive Parts Industry Association. It was not only a stage for showcasing cutting-edge technology, but also a high ground for idea exchange.

The main forum and three sub-forums featured over 30 professional presentations, and nearly 50 exhibitors showcased their innovative solutions on-site.

From aesthetics of interior and exterior design to lightweighting innovations; from the forward-looking low-altitude economy ecosystem to the new journey of global expansion—the event injected new momentum into the development of automotive plastics.

Additionally, the inaugural Outstanding Application Case Studies of Materials and Processing Innovations for Automotive Parts was launched, attracting participation from leading industry players such as Great Wall Motor, XPENG, and Yanfeng Plastic Omnium.

Let’s check out the six key takeaways of the 14th Edition CPRJ Plastics in Automotive Conference & Showcase.

1. Circularity: Material innovations and low-carbon supply chain driven by EU regulations

Dr. Liang Wang, CTO of Shanghai Ausell Material Technology Co., Ltd.

Dr. Liang Wang, CTO of Shanghai Ausell Material Technology, focused on car-to-car closed-loop recycling and high-value application innovations under the ELV regulation. Leveraging its in-house developed washing technology, Ausell solves the challenges such as dissembling, sorting and contaminant removal in recycling headlights and other parts, achieving highly efficient recycling of PC and PP. The recycled plastics have been used in automotive interior and exterior, without compromising performance.

Jingyue Hou, Project Director of Environment and Circular Economy Team at Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH

Jingyue Hou, Project Director of Environment and Circular Economy Team at GIZ, introduced car-to-car, closed-loop recycling on high-value plastics. By analyzing the present handling of end-of-life vehicles in the EU, she pointed out three main challenges in terms of regulations, technology and market when applying recycled plastics in new vehicles.

Sheila Zheng, General Manager of Moeller Technology Automotive Parts (Langfang ) Co., Ltd.

In her presentation, Shelia Zheng, General Manager of Moeller Technology Automotive Parts, introduced applications of new materials in automotive interior, particularly the integration of sustainability, function, and sensational experience. She highlighted that exploration of intelligent materials, use of recycled materials, closed-loop supply chain, and collaboration on innovations between OEM and supply chains will be the future trends.

Franc Kaiser, Partner of Interchina Consulting (Shanghai) Co., Ltd.

Franc Kaiser, Partner of Interchina Consulting, shared the opportunities of Chinese automotive companies’ expansion to global markets. Automakers such as BYD and SAIC expand their market through exports and new plants in other countries, with the plants mostly located in Southern countries. Chinese automotive parts suppliers (C-T1s) have to invest and go global to achieve win-win collaboration with international suppliers (G-T1s).

2. Aesthetics: Material innovation, AI integration, and sensational experience upgrade

Dr. Yuehua Peng, Chief Engineer for the Complete Vehicle, SAIC R&D Center

Dr. Yuehua Peng, Chief Engineer for the Complete Vehicle at SAIC R&D Center, talked about the aesthetics of automotive design, particularly the artistic expression of plastic components, with a list of examples. One of them is the laser engraving process from Audi that produces the world’s first star-light bumper.

Stephen Chen, Chief Engineer of Forward-Looking Design, GAC R&D Center, Guangzhou Automobile Group Co., Ltd.

Stephen Chen, Chief Engineer of Forward-Looking Design at GAC R&D Center, shared his view on the future of car design by integrating AI and human creativity. He foresaw the trends of AI-driven material innovations, enhanced efficiency and quality in design through AI optimization, as well as collaboration on innovation between human designers and AI.

Eric Wang, Application Development Manager, Wanhua Chemical Group Co. Ltd.

Eric Wang, Application Development Manager from Wanhua Chemical Group, introduced Surface Form PRO material solution from the company and its innovative applications on digital grille, automated driving, exterior shell, and smart interior.

Hugh Jin, Marketing Manager of Specialty Engineered Materials Asia, Avient Corporation

With a focus on trends including low VOC, luxurious touch and lightweighting, Avient Corporation launched the haptic, suede-like TPE solution (the third generation of suede product following natural leather, faux suede material) for automotive interior applications, in combination with wire-less charging panel and car door accessory.

Daiwei Ke, CMF Director, Starry Sky Project (Shanghai) Automotive Technology Co., Ltd.

Daiwei Ke, CMF Director at Starry Sky Project (Shanghai) Automotive Technology Co., Ltd., shared his presentation "The Subconscious of Luxury".

3. Lightweighting: Innovations in composite materials and micro-foaming technology

Weidong Shen, Senior Director, SAIC Volkswagen Automotive Co., Ltd. 

Weidong Shen, Senior Director at SAIC Volkswagen Automotive Co., Ltd., discussed the application and development trends of lightweight and composite materials in new energy vehicles.

Shusheng Ren, Marketing Director, Xiamen LFT Composite Plastic Co., Ltd.

In his presentation, Shusheng Ren, Marketing Director, Xiamen LFT Composite Plastic Co., Ltd., introduced the innovations and applications of high-performance long fiber composite materials. The high-performance long glass fibers and high-strength long carbon fibers have achieved multiple technological breakthroughs, helping automobiles manufacture lightweight, high-performance and cost-effective components.

Hui Zong, Chief Engineer, Great Wall Motor Company Limited

Hui Zong, Chief Engineer, Great Wall Motor Company Limited, shared the applications of basalt fiber composites in automotive lightweighting. As the demands for lightweighting and sustainability increase, basalt fiber is expected to achieve leapfrog development in the automotive sector, transitioning from small-scale demonstration applications to widespread promotion and substitution, he said.

Learner Pan, General Manager Assistant, LK Injection Molding Machine Co., Ltd. 

Learner Pan, General Manager Assistant, LK Injection Molding Machine Co., Ltd., shared the application and practice of micro-foaming technology in injection molding. He talked about the significant effects of this technology on lightweighting, shortening molding cycles, and reducing mold wear with case studies such as fan covers, cylinder heads, air conditioning housings, and automotive ventilation ducts.

4. Smart manufacturing: AI-driven, precise inspection, and rapid mold change

Yafei Cheng, Founder & CEO, Shenzhen Moldbao Technology Co. Ltd. / Shenzhen Hisym Industrial Co. Ltd.  

Yafei Cheng, Founder & CEO, Shenzhen Moldbao Technology Co. Ltd. / Shenzhen Hisym Industrial Co. Ltd., shared his insights on AI-driven digital manufacturing of core automotive components.

Qi Xu, Product Manager, WalthMac Measurement & Control Technology Co., Ltd.

Qi Xu, Product Manager at WalthMac Measurement & Control Technology Co., Ltd., shared the solution for precision extrusion tubing gauging and control and its applications in automotive tubes, multilayer tubes, gas tubes, medical tubes, water supply tubes, as well as marine tubes. This solution can reduce quality risks in plastic tubes production, improve product quality, and lower scrap rates.

Kun Chen, Product Manager, Shanghai Qiaotian Intelligent Equipment Co., Ltd.

Kun Chen, Product Manager, Shanghai Qiaotian Intelligent Equipment Co., Ltd., introduced the flexible rapid switching solution for the production of automotive plastic parts. This solution includes robotic connection and switching mechanisms, enabling easy and rapid mold changing, significantly enhancing production efficiency.

Haiming Gu, Injection Expert, Yanfeng Plastic Omnium

Gas assistance technology can improve injection molding efficiency, reduce product flash, and eliminate gate sink marks. Haiming Gu, Injection Expert, Yanfeng Plastic Omnium, explained the application of the technology in exterior parts such as bumpers, grilles, deflectors, and outer panels.

Youtang Luo, Injection Molding Expert, Vitesco Technologies

Youtang Luo, Injection Molding Expert at Vitesco Technologies, shared insights on the technologies and challenges related to plastic components and molds for automotive electronics. He pointed out that the next step in maintaining a competitive edge in automotive electronic plastic parts is to build intelligent molds and manufacturing systems centered around data.

5. Interior and exterior: Smart functions, material innovations, and regulatory compliance

Shuai Huang, General Manager of Cost efficiency & Supplier Development

Shuai Huang, General Manager of Cost efficiency & Supplier Development from a world-know auto group, presented about the development and evaluation processes on potential supplier, as well as new technologies for plastic parts. He pointed out that core development of automotive interior and exterior will be towards high sense of technology, lightweighting, human-machine interaction, as well as innovations on safety enhancement, cost and energy consumption reduction, and industrial chain optimization.

Dr. Hui Jiang, CTO, Wuhan Huiqiang New Energy Materials Technology Co., Ltd.

Dr. Hui Jiang, CTO, Wuhan Huiqiang New Energy Materials Technology Co., Ltd., discussed the pathways for breakthroughs in the dry processing of lithium-ion battery polypropylene separators.

Alan Xu, Product Manager Propulsion Asia, Röchling Automotive Parts (Kunshan) Co., Ltd.

Alan Xu, Product Manager of Propulsion Asia from Röchling Automotive Parts (Kunshan), introduced the transformation and opportunities of material innovations and automotive interior and exterior in the era of electrification. Smart exterior, such as digital grille, active grille shutter, smart charging door, electrified spoiler, electrified rearview mirror, hidden door handle, and electrified footstep, will be important value-added market.

He Lin, Senior Product Manager of Trim BU, Fuyao Glass Industry Group Co., Ltd.  

He Lin, Senior Product Manager of Trim BU, Fuyao Glass Industry Group Co., Ltd., discussed the trends in smart exteriors for future mobility.

Fangfang Shao, Senior Engineer of Non-Metallic Materials, Body Division of SAIC Commercial Vehicle Technology Center

Fangfang Shao, Senior Engineer of Non-Metallic Materials from Body Division of SAIC Commercial Vehicle Technology Center, analyzed the flammability regulations on commercial vehicles and shared the latest development on flame retardant solutions.

6. Low-altitude economy: Integrated design and lightweighting technology accelerate commercialization

Zhiguo Ma, General Manager, MINYI Technology Co. Ltd.

Zhiguo Ma, General Manager at MINYI Technology Co. Ltd., shared the innovative applications of integrated design for multi-process collaboration and multi-material integration based on CFRTP. The industry-first VarinTech® integrated multi-process technology achieves the one-time forming of sandwich structure for outer panels, addressing the pain point of thermal deformation in plastic outer panels. This solution is not only applicable to automobiles but also suitable for eVTOL low-altitude aircrafts.

Wei Zhang, Deputy Head of Design Development Dept., HRC Group

Focused on the structural design of eVTOL aircraft and practical cases, such as the XPENG Huitian X2 flying car and a 10-ton fixed-wing cargo drone, Wei Zhang, Deputy Head of Design Development Dept. at HRC Group, pointed out that eVTOL must pursue lightweighting while ensuring structural integrity, fully assessing product characteristics and actual needs to achieve an optimal balance of cost, efficiency, and quality.

There were also the Summit Dialouge and three hot topic salons, discussing the technical pain points and market opportunities of the automotive plastics industry.

One-Stop automotive plastics solutions showcase

In addition to the engaging presentations, there was a dedicated display area for automotive plastics solutions, featuring nearly 50 high-quality exhibitors from the industry. The exhibits covered a wide range of areas, including chemical raw materials, injection/extrusion equipment, precision molds, hot runner systems, and inspection systems.

Shanghai Ausell Material Technology Co., Ltd.

Wanhua Chemical Group Co. Ltd.

Avient Corporation

Xiamen LFT Composite Plastic Co., Ltd.

WalthMac Measurement & Control Technology Co., Ltd.

LK Injection Molding Machine Co., Ltd.

Shanghai Qiaotian Intelligent Equipment Co., Ltd.