Glossy project

• Successful project refines a plastic-moulding process to deliver a better finish at less cost
• New process is 30 % more cost-effective than traditional glass-reinforced plastics

The project's aim was to develop a more resource-efficient and cost-effective manufacturing process for hard-wearing exterior plastic body parts fitted to vehicles, such as fire engines.

The glass-reinforced plastics (GRP) successfully refined by the three partners in the project, including the company Rosenbauer, employed novel thermo-forming processes. The project also worked on optimising system costs and standardising components in order to reduce complexity during production.

Applying the new technique, Rosenbauer further streamlined the systems behind the new plastic components with the aim of boosting its international competitiveness.

Key results

Looking at the overall process costs and material quantities demanded, the new process developed within the project is up to 30 % more cost-effective than traditional GRP practices.

Thermo-forming is now taken into account during new product developments in this field.