Hutchinson in German link-up to enhance EV thermal management

Paris – French components manufacturer Hutchinson has entered a strategic partnership with German insulation technology company va-Q-tec to improve the thermal management of electronic vehicles and aerospace cabins.

The agreement will see the partners jointly developing “high-performance, scalable insulation solutions” to increase energy efficiency and fire safety of emobility vehicles, the French group announced 8 March.

As part of the cooperation, Hutchinson's systems will be incorporated or combined with va-Q-tec's vacuum insulation panel (VIPs) in various R&D projects to produce insulation for car batteries and aerospace cabins.

According to the French supplier, the performance of va-Q-tec insulation panels are “10 times better” than conventional insulation and solutions for fire protection sealing and fluid management. 

The system, Hutchinson noted, allows for extra battery range, increases safety and adds extra space in the cabin and in the battery compartment.

"Together, we will develop vehicle insulation and fire protection solutions that will make tomorrow's mobility not only more energy efficient but also more comfortable,” said Dr Joachim Kuhn, CEO and founder of va-Q-tec.

“Thermal management... is a strategic topic for future mobility [and] Hutchinson’s teams have been working on this for several years now to meet vehicles electrification challenges,” commented Jacques Maigné, Hutchinson CEO. 

Based in Paris, Hutchinson designs and produces customised materials and connected solutions for vibration control, fluid management and sealing systems for the automotive and aerospace industry. 

The group reported revenues of €3.8 billion in 2020 and has 40,000 employees in 25 countries.