The World’s First Use of CFRTP for Structural Parts in a High-Volume Production Vehicle

Teijin's Sereebo?, which is a carbon fiber reinforced thermoplastic (CFRTP) was selected by General Motors (GM) for use in select pickup box applications. This is the world’s first use of CFRTP for structural parts in a high-volume production vehicle.

The material was jointly developed by global leaders Teijin and motoring icon GM, and the manufacturing process by Teijin Automotive Technologies . Today, Sereebo is used to manufacture the optional CarbonPro? pickup box for the GMC Sierra Denali 1500 and GMC Sierra AT4 1500.

Sereebo is specifically used for the pickup box’s inner headboard, side and floor panels. The Sereebo used for CarbonPro contains randomly-orientated, isotropic carbon fiber in a polyamide matrix resin. The molding time is approximately one minute, which is significantly shorter than the molding time for conventional carbon fiber reinforced thermoset plastics (#CFRP) - increasing efficiency and #sustainability when it comes to production and demonstrating Teijin’s forward-thinking attitude.

By being the first use of CFRTP for structural parts in a high-volume production vehicle; the cutting edge materials are pushing the boundaries of #innovation in this field.

The CarbonPro pickup box is 40% lighter than a steel box, offers 10 times greater impact resistance, is more corrosion-resistant, and is more readily #recyclable. Due to these material characteristics, Sereebo offers extended design flexibility and freedom, allowing GM engineers to mold in the unique features of the CarbonPro box.

(Note: Continental Structural Plastics (CSP) was rebranded as Teijin Automotive Technologies in 2021.)

Through the lighter materials, less power is required to move the vehicles - increasing fuel efficiency and the overall sustainable credibility of the end product. In addition, the more readily #recycling potential reinforces Teijin’s push for a #circular chain when it comes to materials.

Our credibility in this field is not a new trait, being at the forefront of product development for over a decade. Teijin has been developing leading-edge #composite product technologies and applications since establishing the Teijin Composites Innovation Center in 2008. The world’s first mass-production technology for CFRTP was developed by Teijin in 2011, with a technical facility in the U.S. being established along with a pilot plant for the fully integrated production of CFRTP in Japan.

Since Sereebo was named in 2012, Teijin has developed high-volume production methods by collaborating and developing with domestic and international partners, including GM. The adoption of Sereebo for CarbonPro is a momentous step forward for CFRTP’s use in high-volume vehicles.

In an effort to reduce vehicle weight, Teijin is expanding its product range from materials to component design, as well as focusing on its global supply chain. Teijin Automotive Technologies is such a forward thinking #automotive solution provider for the demands of the modern world.