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Materials by Japan's Mitsui Chemicals in Toyota concept car unveiled

28 Jun '24

2 min read

Materials by Japan's Mitsui Chemicals in Toyota Concept car unveiled

Hood air duct bezels (the direct pellet-fed 3D-printed components). Pic: Mitsui Chemicals

Insights

Mitsui Chemicals and ARRK Corporation have developed innovative materials used in the Toyota Hyper-F CONCEPT, a high-performance concept car.
These include TAFNEX CF/PP, a carbon fibre-reinforced polypropylene resin sheet, and direct pellet-fed 3D-printed components.
The materials contribute to weight reduction and enhanced aerodynamics.

Mitsui Chemicals, Inc. (Tokyo: 4183; President & CEO: HASHIMOTO Osamu) and subsidiary ARRK Corporation (Osaka; President & CEO: MOROZUMI Naoki) announced that materials developed by the two companies have been employed in a high-performance concept car based on the Toyota Fortuner. Direct pellet-fed 3D-printed components jointly developed by Mitsui Chemicals and ARRK, and TAFNEX CF/PP– a unidirectional carbon fiber-reinforced polypropylene resin sheet developed by Mitsui Chemicals – have found application in the TOYOTA Hyper-F CONCEPT, which has been designed by TCD ASIA CO., LTD. (Bangkok, Thailand; President: KAWAZOE Takayuki).

TAFNEX CF/PP and the newly developed direct pellet-fed 3D-printed components will be exhibited at Bangkok Auto Salon 2024, a custom car show taking place in the Thai capital from June 26–30, and at Bangsaen Grand Prix 2024, a car race that will be held on the outskirts of Bangkok from July 3–7.

The TOYOTA Hyper-F CONCEPT is a high-performance concept model with a styling design that incorporates the road handling and aerodynamic performance cultivated in the racing field by TCD ASIA’s motorsport business. The new materials have enabled the company to further reduce the concept car’s weight. In addition, the fitting of four sport seats provides a new mode of enjoyment that users cannot experience in a two-seater vehicle.

TAFNEX CF/PP has been used for decorative components on part of the front bumper and the hood air vents, while the direct pellet-fed 3D-printed components are fitted to the hood air duct bezels.