Innovation and new technologies are driving changes in the automotive sector, a key pillar of the Thai economy. Henkel Thailand is well-positioned to enable the transition to alternative energy vehicles that require enhanced connectivity, safety, efficiency and sustainability.
As the market leader in adhesives, sealants, and functional coatings for the automotive industry, Henkel collaborates with our original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) to develop high-performance solutions, modernize automotive design, and increase flexibility and efficiency during the production process.
Andrianto Jayapurna, President of Henkel Thailand, said: “Henkel offers a holistic portfolio of adhesives, sealants, surface pre-treatment and coating solutions for the entire automotive value chain. In Thailand, we are working closely with our automotive OEMs, suppliers and business partners to realize the future of mobility that is safer, more efficient, more digital and more sustainable.” Henkel Thailand is actively involved in various innovation and sustainability projects, including lightweighting, e-mobility and intelligent automotive displays.
Lightweight construction
Lightweighting has been a focus in the automotive industry for many years, as it helps to reduce the carbon emission footprint and fuel consumption of conventional combustion engines and electric vehicles (EV).
The use of innovative adhesives and sealants from Henkel can help to reduce a car’s weight by up to 15 percent. They are used, for example, on car body parts, engines, powertrains, gearboxes, rear-view mirrors, seats and steering wheels. While enabling different materials to be joined together securely, Henkel’s adhesives and sealants also make cars safer and more resistant to corrosion.
With the increasing use of light alloys in vehicles, aluminum, in particular, offers OEMs and their suppliers not only weight savings but also flexibility in functionality and design. In Thailand, Henkel’s adhesive plant supplies surface pre-treatment and coating solutions to automakers, enabling them to produce the aluminum parts more efficiently and with better corrosion protection.
e-Mobility
The rise of EVs is the most disruptive transformation in the 100-year history of the automotive industry. The urgency to tackle climate change, cut vehicle emissions and improve air quality is fueling this transformation. Moreover, new laws and regulations and changing consumer expectations are accelerating the transition to e-mobility. An example is the Thai government’s target to have electric vehicles account for 30% of car production by 2030.
In EVs, the integration and protection of batteries and electronic components play a crucial role. Henkel offers a comprehensive portfolio of innovative adhesive products and engineering services to enable the cost-efficient assembly, operational safety and lifetime protection of battery cells. For example, thermal interface materials from Henkel enable the safe and efficient thermal management of battery cells and modules. Also, gasketing solutions produced by Henkel Thailand are used for sealing and preventing the corrosion of battery packs.
New driving experiences
In the automotive sector, the trends of digitalization, self-driving and electrification have led to the increasing use of display technologies to create a next-generation driving experience. Advanced automotive displays enable drivers to have more intuitive control of programs, such as entertainment systems, safe driving systems and navigational systems.
Henkel has extensive expertise in providing solutions for digital displays and sensors. These include transparent adhesives for increasing the stability of the display system and improving image quality. Henkel Thailand is working with automotive OEMs on using adhesives for enhancing the performances of cameras and sensors in modern cars.