Webasto, a global innovative system partner to the automotive industry, is the first manufacturer using composite panels with paper core for a removable roof system. The so-called Paper Honeycomb (PHC) technology is used for that. Paper honeycombs form the core of the roof panel. These have to be milled due to the curved shape of the roof and are coated with a mixture of polyurethane and reinforced glass fibres. Compared to steel, PHC’s composition ensures a weight saving of around 50 percent, but is still very robust. The honeycomb structure offers good thermal insulation properties and has a sound-insulating effect, which increases interior comfort. In 2022, Webasto localised the Paper Honeycomb technology in the USA and developed a multi-panel hardtop roof system for the Ford Bronco. With this particular innovation, Webasto has now made it to the finalists of the Automotive News PACE Awards. The prizes are awarded for a technological innovation that has reached commercial market maturity.
‘The PHC roof systems bring a great end user experience‘
‘With a renowned American car manufacturer, we have successfully applied PHC technology for a light-weight removable roof system,’ says Brad Ring, CEO and President Webasto Americas. ‘‘With the benefits for the end consumer, we see a huge market potential for further roof applications as well as for other special products that utilize this technology – potential customers have already expressed interest.’
