Mitsui Chemicals, Inc. (Tokyo:4183; President & CEO: HASHIMOTO Osamu) and its subsidiary ARRK Corporation (Osaka; President & CEO: MOROZUMI Naoki) have announced the integration of their advanced materials into a new high-performance concept car based on the Toyota Fortuner. The collaboration features Direct Pellet-Fed 3D-Printed Components1 developed jointly by Mitsui Chemicals and ARRK, alongside TAFNEX™ CF/PP2 – a unidirectional carbon fiber-reinforced polypropylene resin sheet created by Mitsui Chemicals.
The TOYOTA Hyper-F CONCEPT, designed by TCD ASIA CO., LTD.*3 (Bangkok, Thailand; President: KAWAZOE Takayuki), showcases innovative applications of these materials. Highlighted at the Bangkok Auto Salon 2024 and the Bangsaen Grand Prix 2024, the concept car emphasizes road handling and aerodynamic prowess derived from TCD ASIA’s motorsport expertise. The use of TAFNEX™ CF/PP enhances lightweight construction in areas like decorative components on the front bumper and hood air vents. Meanwhile, the Direct Pellet-Fed 3D-Printed Components are integrated into hood air duct bezels, contributing to both structural integrity and design innovation.
*1 Direct Pellet-Fed 3D-Printed Components
Mitsui Chemicals initiated strategic alliances in 2020 with Dreams Design Corporation (Nagoya, Aichi; Representative Director: OKUMURA Yasuyuki), specializing in automotive engineering, and in 2023 with ExtraBold Inc. (Toshima-ku, Tokyo; CEO: HARA Yuji), a pioneer in direct pellet-fed 3D printing technology. These partnerships leverage Dreams Design’s auto part design expertise, ExtraBold’s EXF-12 3D printer capabilities for rapid large-part production, and ARRK’s comprehensive prototyping and mass production support. Mitsui Chemicals’ polyolefin-based composite technology optimizes 3D printing processes, aligning with sustainable practices by enabling material recycling and reducing production lead times and costs.
*2 TAFNEX™ CF/PP
TAFNEX™ CF/PP, a unidirectional tape (UD tape) developed by Mitsui Chemicals, combines carbon fiber and polypropylene using advanced composite techniques. Known for its lightweight, high rigidity, and moldability, TAFNEX™ CF/PP supports diverse design applications, including automotive and aerospace sectors. Its capabilities extend to reinforcing molded parts and fabricating components such as tubes and laminated sheets, offering flexibility for various industrial and consumer applications.
This collaboration underscores Mitsui Chemicals’ and ARRK’s commitment to advancing automotive technologies through innovative materials, enhancing performance, sustainability, and design versatility in future mobility solutions.
