01 14 Cutting-edge technology A ContiTech innovation is among the strongest timing belts in the world Steel cords keep products by the ContiTech Conveyor Belt Group especially stable Editorial_3 Dear reader, Around the world, technological achievements drive economic and social about. ‘Engineering Next Level’ is also the motto of our exhibition stand at the development. They enable us to make progress and improve our lives. HANNOVER MESSE trade fair. Come and see us in Hall 6! Gutenberg gave us the printing press; James Watt gave us steam engines; Thomas Edison invented electric light, and Carl Benz started the success When we talk about ‘Engineering Next Level’, we are referring to the high- story of the automobile. But did all these inventions simply come about by quality innovations we bring to market as quickly and efficiently as possible, coincidence? No. Innovations don’t happen by chance; they come from a pio- but also to the superlative service we provide for our customers at locations neering spirit, materials and process expertise, and outstanding teams in around the world. organisations. And that’s exactly how things work at ContiTech. This is how we became the world’s leading specialist in natural rubber and plastics. We One factor designed to support us in this is the merger we’ve initiated between give our 28,000+ employees plenty of scope to take responsibility, and in the ContiTech Group and plastics specialist Veyance Technologies. This will doing so we stimulate them to develop a culture of ideas that is as yet in allow us to complete our presence in countries such as the USA and South a league of its own. This is true not just true of ContiTech but of the whole America, where we are currently under-represented. Moreover, by extending of the Continental Group. Across our divisions and business units, we work and enhancing our product and service range, we will be in a position to offer together closely to find the best product or system solutions. our customers even more advantages – all from a single supplier. Often ideas generate innovations. But for an innovation to be a success, it I hope you enjoy this edition of ContiTech initiativ. must be needed. This is why we closely observe technological and social Happy reading! trends. What is it that moves people – today and in the future? And what will our next important steps be if we want to continue working with our Best regards partners to develop innovations that meet people’s needs and are ready for the markets? In this edition of ContiTech initiativ, we take a closer look at what our company is doing to encourage purposeful innovation manage- ment. We also find out how foresight can help us develop efficient products with special material characteristics that meet the most specialised chal- Heinz-Gerhard Wente lenges. That’s what our guiding principle of ‘Engineering Next Level’ is all CEO of the ContiTech division In this issue 26 ContiTech. Engineering Next Level The ContiTech Group’s new guiding principle Innovations made by ContiTech Under the guiding principle of Engineering Next Level, the The experts that make up the ContiTech innovation team ContiTech Group is working more consistently than ever to encourage development and push forward innovation across meet the needs of customers today and in the future. The the company. Frank Stünkel, Head of International Sales and technology leader in natural rubber and plastic products keeps Communications, spoke to three innovation managers from a close eye on the individual requirements of clients in the the team to find out what ContiTech is doing to drive progress various markets. ____________________________________ Page 6 in this area. _____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ Page 16 Teamwork for peak performance Research for progress Extreme performance and impressive dimensions make the Around the world trends in production and methods, such as ContiTech Transmission Group’s CONTI® SYNCHROCHAIN lightweight construction, downsizing and safety, are placing CARBON a top player among timing belts. At almost five metres new and ever tougher demands on materials. ContiTech is long and 22 centimetres wide, it transmits 315 Kilowatts of capitalising on its comprehensive expertise in natural rubber power onto the drivetrain of a high-performance shredder by a and plastics technologies and inspiring a wide variety of company called UNTHA. _____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ Page 8 industries. __________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ Page 22 Inner warmth Engineering dreams straight down the line An innovative heating system based on a conductive paste by To offer its customers the best possible solutions, the Benecke-Kaliko has numerous advantages over conventional ContiTech Conveyor Belt Group is setting new standards in alternatives. Being especially fast and efficient at heating up, belt development. Its specialist conveyors can now transport this covering material is ideal for incorporating into electric glowing furnace slag at up to 600°C. _____________________________________________________________________________________________________________ Page 36 cars, where power reserves need to be used sparingly. ____________________________ Page 14 16 8 40 32 People and markets Dynamic economic partnership Right up to the limit The Netherlands are the home of famous artists such as Le Dakar is by far the best-known and most treacherous long- Rembrandt and Vincent van Gogh, and famous for their tulip distance rally in the world. It’s a tough test of endurance for fields. But that’s not all. For companies like the ContiTech human and machine. Both must stand up to the rigours of the Group this partner country of the HANNOVER MESSE 2014 9,000-kilometre journey for the entire 14 days of the race. It’s trade fair is an important strategic business partner. ______ Page 26 an adventure ContiTech customer Iginio Voorhorst was not about to miss. He followed his teams at Le Dakar 2014, with Rooted in Germany, at home in China ContiTech Air Spring Systems as a sponsor. ________________________________________________________________________________ Page 40 International manager, experienced engineer and long-standing China expert Uwe Wüst has taken over the helm of the Benecke- Kaliko plant in Zhangjiagang, eastern China. _____________ Page 32 Et cetera The latest from the world of ContiTech ® Technology and trends Conti Thermo-Protect conquers the seas __________________________________________________________________________________ Page 35 High-performance 20,000 times a week ______________________________________________________________________________________________ Page 35 Nanotechnology – present and future Acquisition to strengthen industry business ______________________________________________________________________________ Page 45 Written by Professor Andreas Leson, Deputy Director and Head of Department at the Fraunhofer-Institut für Werkstoff- und News in brief Strahltechnik in Dresden, Germany, this edition’s guest article Other stories from the world of ContiTech ________________________________________________________________________________________ Page 45 offers a glimpse into the world of nanotechnology. __________________________________________________ Page 24 Imprint ________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ Page 45 ContiTech. Engineering Next Level The ContiTech Group’s new guiding principle Open for new perspectives: Advancing technologies through trend-watching ContiTech. Engineering Next Level_7 he guiding principle of Engineering Next Level will see the ContiTech Following the principle of locality, ContiTech is establishing its research Group with its eight divisions focus more closely than ever on the and development knowledge directly in the relevant markets through increasing demands of its customers and the individual needs of decentralised facilities that allow it to cater to cultural differences when Tpeople in markets around the world. And the company knows exactly which configuring products. For instance, ContiTech is able to help car manu- social changes and technical trends it needs to respond to. As an innovation facturers develop global platforms on virtually every continent. This too and technology leader in rubber and plastic products, ContiTech is commit- is a key step up, a next level of progressive thinking and acting, and deliv- ted to developing and supplying innovative products and services. In doing ers high-tech products for current and future generations that really are so, it often comes up with cutting-edge technologies, which are rooted in the needed locally. group’s long-standing materials expertise in developing components and sys- tems that suit the markets and will help ensure the future viability of partners. The ContiTech Group is now a global player, who, as a driver