Miquel Rey, Director General of Business, and Xavier Plantà, Director of Eurecat’s Industrial Area, have visited car brand Chery and the facilities of HRC Composites in China.
Carmaker Chery, which will soon kick off production in Barcelona, has gone from manufacturing one to two and a half million cars in the last four years and currently exports 52 percent of its output.
In recent years, it has ramped up its specialisation in hybrid and electric engines while also making headway in autonomous driving and paying special attention to car safety and design.
The company has put technological innovation at the core of their operations, not just in the automotive industry, and has ongoing technology partnerships with international enterprises.
Their prioritisation of technological innovation and growing in Europe by manufacturing locally prompted them to invite Eurecat as a potential strategic partner for their European expansion. Aspects such as developing eco-design and increasing recovery and recyclability under end-of-life regulations together with plastronics, lightweight materials and robotics were all pinpointed as key areas for collaboration.
Meanwhile, HRC Composites specialises in projects in the automotive, aeronautical and railway industries and is growing in areas such as hydrogen and construction. Its testing and R&D laboratories cover more than 5,000 square metres while its production facilities span 40,000 square metres.
HRC Composites’ initiatives include running innovation projects for recycling composites in the aeronautical industry and setting standards for the use of composites in the automotive industry besides innovating in hydrogen, sustainability and materials recovery. Eurecat’s knowhow in materials and sustainability coupled with HRC’s expertise and growth has led to exploring a long-term partnership to undertake R&D and innovation projects together.
