Covestro Japan Adopts Makroblend UT235M for Lexus ES

Covestro Japan Adopts Makroblend UT235M for Lexus ES

On September 30, Covestro Japan Ltd announced that Makroblend UT235M, a polycarbonate (PC) blend, has been selected as the substrate material for a large exterior component on the Lexus ES. The material is being used for the vehicle's luggage panel, which is now in series production. The component is manufactured by Toyoda Gosei Co Ltd using an integrated molding and coating process. The selection reflects requirements for exterior appearance, dimensional stability, and durability, while the material's properties support an exterior application where low linear thermal expansion is important.

IMC Process Combines Molding and Coating

The luggage panel is manufactured using IMC, a process that combines injection molding and coating into a single integrated operation. By removing conventional post-painting steps, the process can reduce CO2 emissions associated with component production while maintaining the high-quality surface finish required for a visible exterior part. IMC also enables the molding and coating stages to be integrated more closely, supporting production of large exterior components with Class A surface quality. For the Lexus ES application, this manufacturing approach is paired with Makroblend UT235M to meet the component's appearance and performance requirements.

Makroblend UT235M Selected for Exterior Performance

Makroblend UT235M is a PC blend commonly used in exterior applications where low linear thermal expansion and dimensional stability are important. These characteristics are particularly relevant to large exterior components, where changes in dimensions can affect fit, appearance, and overall product quality. For the Lexus ES luggage panel, the grade was selected specifically to satisfy requirements covering exterior appearance, dimensional stability, and durability. The application therefore demonstrates the use of a PC blend in a series-produced automotive exterior component where both material performance and manufacturing efficiency are important considerations.

Lexus ES Application Enters Series Production

The adoption of Makroblend UT235M on the Lexus ES represents a production application involving Covestro Japan Ltd, Toyoda Gosei Co Ltd, and Japan-based automotive manufacturing operations. The luggage panel combines the material's dimensional stability and durability characteristics with an IMC process designed to avoid conventional post-painting. Because the component is already in series production, the announcement concerns an established vehicle application rather than a development-stage demonstration. The combination of material selection and integrated processing is focused on achieving the required exterior quality while supporting a production method that can reduce associated CO2 emissions.

Industry Impact & Outlook

The Lexus ES application highlights how automotive suppliers can combine advanced PC-blend materials with integrated manufacturing processes for large exterior components. The relevant impact is centered on applications requiring stable dimensions, durable performance, and Class A appearance while seeking to reduce processing steps. For material suppliers and component manufacturers, continued adoption of such combinations could support broader use of PC blends and integrated molding-and-coating processes in exterior vehicle parts where these requirements align. The immediate next step is continued series production of the luggage panel, while the broader significance will depend on whether similar material and process combinations meet requirements for other automotive exterior applications.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Makroblend UT235M used for on the Lexus ES?
Makroblend UT235M is used as the substrate material for the Lexus ES luggage panel, a large exterior component now in series production. The PC blend was selected because the application requires exterior appearance, dimensional stability, and durability. Its low linear thermal expansion is also relevant to maintaining dimensional stability in an exterior part. The component is manufactured by Toyoda Gosei using an IMC process that combines injection molding and coating in one integrated operation, eliminating conventional post-painting steps and supporting reduced CO2 emissions during production.