Profiting from Change

Guido Reinking: At present the issue of CO₂ emissions is very high on the agenda, and that really means investing massively in the combustion engine. Is that happening on the scale it needs to be to reduce CO₂ emissions?

Dr. Stefan Wolf: In my view, yes, it is, although that message isn’t getting through adequately to the public. There is still tremendous potential for further developments to the combustion engine. As we know, it’s a simple equation – reduce consumption and you reduce CO₂. The manufacturers have already made a lot of progress in that direction. For our part, we can make an important contribution, too.

Guido Reinking: So what can you do to help reduce CO₂?

Dr. Stefan Wolf: By our innovative sealing technology and thermal shielding components are a part of the overall trend towards downsizing. Downsizing means lighter, smaller and more efficient engines. Ignition pressures are increasing, and engines are being fitted with turbo-chargers. That means higher temperatures. We are well placed to contribute innovative solutions that shield heat- sensitive parts. We are also replacing heavier metal components with lighter plastic parts as a way of cutting fuel consumption – and therefore CO₂ emissions – by reducing overall weight. Good examples of this are the cam cover, the engine and gearbox oil pans, the end-shield covers and the lateral cov- ers. If you add it up, it’s possible to achieve a significant reduction in weight by using plastic instead of metal for these housing modules.

Guido Reinking: Let’s go back to the combustion engine. As we know, exhaust emission limits are getting stricter all the time. We already have Euro 5, and Euro 6 is on the way. Can you support manu- facturers in this area, too?

Dr. Stefan Wolf: Yes, we’re already on board in that area with our sealing technology for the engine and exhaust system and our SCR exhaust cleaning components that help cut nitrogen oxide emis- sions. Incidentally, there’s plenty of scope for us in China, India and other Asian countries, too, where they have also introduced stricter emission limits.

Guido Reinking: There is also a lot of talk about electric vehicles. Doesn’t this represent a threat for a supplier that makes parts for combustion engines?

Dr. Stefan Wolf: I think for the next twenty years electric vehicles will remain a niche market for use in city traffic, with the combustion engine still the dominant force. However, we do expect that specific proportion of electric vehicles, especially hybrids, will gain a foothold within the market in the medium term. As for ElringKlinger, we have successfully established ourselves in the electric market in the area of battery components. We have developed a range of parts for lithium­ion batteries*, including cell connectors and lead frames. Our Shielding Technology division is currently devel- oping products in this area as well.

Guido Reinking: Of course, the fuel cell car is an electric car, too, only people tend to forget that. Fuel cells are really only a way to extend the vehicle’s range, which is always going to be the big chal- lenge for electric vehicles. What’s your view on that?

Dr. Stefan Wolf: Range is a key issue, and since 2000 we’ve been conducting some intensive research into fuel cells in collaboration with vehicle manufacturers. From today’s perspective, it’s difficult to say with any certainty what shape vehicle drive technology will finally take in 15 or 20 years from now. So it’s vital to be prepared for all of these drive technologies, and that’s also the route most vehicle manufacturers are taking. We have a large number of patents for cutting-edge products in the area of fuel cell technology. We supply components for prototypes, we make small batches of bipolar plates *, and we are working on complete stacks that we expect to emerge as power units for vehicles and as stationary applications.