Hyperlast Limited grants ‘Autothane’ Licence to Russian Company, ZAO Polyplast

Hyperlast Limited, the Derbyshire (UK) based specialist designers and manufacturers of polyurethane have sealed a new licence deal for their vehicle suspension material, ‘Autothane’®. New Licensee, ZAO Polyplast, a division of ZAO Plastic, will manufacture ‘Autothane’ at their factory in Chelyabinsk at the foot of the Urals in the Russian Federation.

ZAO Plastic is a main supplier of injection moulded components to Avtovaz, Russia’s leading auto manufacturer, whilst ZAO Polyplast specializes in steering wheel production. ZAO Polyplast’s initial manufacture of ‘Autothane’ will be for the new Lada models 1118 and 2118 front and rear suspension. This means that Lada will join BMW, Ford, Mazda, Rover, Renault, General Motors, Volvo and other leading vehicle manufacturers in trusting Autothane components to minimize noise and vibration in domestic, commercial and sports motoring. The best possible management of shock, impact and vibration is crucial to good handling, and therefore to the safety of the vehicle.

‘Autothane’, is a high-performance microcellular elastomer with a closed cell structure. Outperforming rubber, the material withstands repeated high load compressions and returns to its original shape. As the Autothane® component is compressed, it suppresses and absorbs shock and vibration improving the overall ride profile of the vehicle, demonstrating the inherent dynamism of the material. In addition to excellent hydrolytic stability and exceptional dampening properties, ‘Autothane’ has excellent resistance to chemicals, grease, ozone, microbial attack and, of necessity within its mechanically harsh working environment, it resists the action of water, salt, oils, and fuels. It must also remain unaffected by and perform in extremes of ambient temperature as well as extremes of climate.

This latest licensing agreement was negotiated between Mr. Vialcheslav Dan Gershman (Managing Director of ZAO Plastic) Mr. Vladimir Lomazov (Commercial Director, ZAO Plastic) and Mark Perry (Sales and Marketing Director, Hyperlast Limited). The licensing terms and conditions were finally agreed on October 1st, 2004 and signed by Mr. Alexander Paltser (Managing Director, ZAO Polyplast) and Mark Perry.

This brings the number of licensees to six. ‘Autothane’ components are also manufactured under license in the UK, USA, China, Korea and Malaysia. Fully supported from Birch Vale, Derbyshire in the UK, ‘Autothane’ is one of the flagship products of Hyperlast Limited, whose many polyurethane applications cross the wide spectrum of industry.

Ref: 22-1681-1
February 28 2005