Engineering Materials

Automotive Exterior solutions

Our innovative high-performance plastics are developed to meet a wide variety of technological challenges in automotive. Browse these pages to learn more about how our industry experts, scientists and engineers work hand in hand with our customers to develop next generation solutions.

Strong and attractive exterior components

One of the first things that draws a consumer to a vehicle is how the exterior looks. That’s why it’s so important to manufacture exterior parts with an attractive look and feel. Whether it’s for rearview mirrors, door handles, or wheel covers, the requirements are for strong materials with high aesthetic value, and a smooth touch. This makes excellent UV stability absolutely critical.

Our broad portfolio of materials has grades suited to a wide range of exterior applications – for both painted and unpainted parts. Glass fiber–reinforced Akulon polyamide 6 addresses all the needs of exterior parts, with UV-stabilized grades suitable for parts with complex shapes, including exterior mirror bases, and parts manufactured using gas-assist injection molding, such as door handles.

For door handles, our specialized grades provide high UV stability when unpainted, and smoothness and excellent adhesion when painted. For exterior rearview mirrors, our materials combine aesthetics with high stiffness and strength for what is ultimately an important safety application.

Browse our Exterior components portfolio

  • Comfort System Actuators

    Learn why the world’s leading automakers use DSM materials to enhance the performance and reliability of automotive actuation systems.

  • Lighting

    Lighting Systems: The future’s bright (and plastic)

  • Doors

    Getting a handle on next-generation plastics

  • Body panels

    Browse our High Performance Plastics for body panels and structural parts

Featured Customer Applications

Exterior Mirror Bases

Automotive | Exterior Mirrors

Reliable; High heat resistance; Great surface appearance; Lightweight; Cost effective; High flowability enables thin wall designs

Foglamps

Automotive | Exterior Automotive Lighting

Reliable; Lightweight; Low outgassing behavior; Long term road visibility; Cost effective

Roof Racks

Automotive | Exterior Roof Racks

Reliable; High heat resistance; Great surface appearance; Lightweight; Cost effective; High flowability enables thin wall designs
  • PA6 & PA66 - Akulon®

    PA6 & PA66 - Akulon®

    Akulon polyamide 6 & 66 resins represent the best value in all-purpose engineering materials, offering an excellent balance of design and processing with outstanding mechanical properties in diverse operating environments.

  • PA410 - EcoPaXX®

    PA410 - EcoPaXX®

    EcoPaXX is a high-performance aliphatic, biobased polyamide that uniquely balances the benefits of typical short and long chain polyamides, such as low moisture uptake and high mechanical performance.

  • PET & PBT - Arnite®

    PET & PBT - Arnite®

    Our Arnite portfolio includes high performance engineering polyester plastics (PBT, PET, and blends) that combine high strength and rigidity with excellent processing characteristics.

Featured products

With our broad, high-quality materials portfolio and in-depth technology know-how, we work in close collaboration with customers to develop new applications in response to the search for lighter, stronger and more durable materials.

Here's a selection of some of our most recognized brands and products, keeping you ahead of the curve and enabling you to lead the market through the use of cutting-edge technology.

DSM's Akulon® polyamide 6 grades eliminate the need for painting in automotive exterior parts

For automotive exterior applications, look and feel are both very important. DSM has proven its performance in this market with the right materials for years for e.g. mirror housing and door handles. Today we also offer a reinforced Akulon polyamide 6 for unpainted exterior automotive parts that require very good surface quality. By eliminating the need to paint such exterior parts, DSM is making a major contribution to unit cost savings without compromising on quality.

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How can we help you?

We take a scientific approach to building solutions. Our dedicated teams work closely with our customers to look at the entire process of developing new parts and components – whether it is a case of metal replacement, or developing solutions that are stronger, safer and more effective. Our methodical approach extends to every step of the process, from design and material performance to production and compliance.

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