OREANDA-NEWS. BASF's sound-absorbing Basotect(r) TG melamine foam is now being used for the acoustic layer in the Volkswagen EA888 engine for the Jetta, Golf, Passat, Tiguan, and Beetle models produced in North America. Volkswagen chose Basotect(r)-based acoustic parts provided by the foam converter Rogers Foam of Somerville, MA, that are further assembled by the Tier 1 supplier of the engine cover, Exo-s, of Sherbrooke, Canada.

"In order to meet the ever-tightening North American automotive fuel efficiency and emission standards, smaller, higher-performing and direct-injection engines are being used in today's automotive manufacturing", says Holli Woodard, Market Development Specialist for Basotect(r) in North America.

"These engines create higher levels of heat and noise that impact the driving comfort. Car manufacturers and suppliers are increasingly looking for new materials to solve this challenge". The engine cover developed by Exo-s and Rogers Foam using BASF's Basotect(r) TG foam was able to meet VW's needs.

Basotect(r) TG is the only thermoset melamine foam, which is specifically manufactured for thermoforming in order to make sophisticated three-dimensional components and customized elements for tight spaces.