Complete CNG solution becoming a reality for heavy-duty transportation
3M and xperion today announce an agreement to develop a new line of 3M-branded compressed natural gas (CNG) tanks for use in the heavy-duty transportation industry. The tanks will integrate 3M's Matrix Resin technology with xperion's world-class engineering and proprietary design technology. A new xperion facility, currently being constructed near Columbus, OH in the city of Heath, will deliver production of these new tanks starting later this year.
“Our mutual goal is to bring superior value to customers in order to accelerate the industry’s adoption of CNG,” said Rory Yanchek, Vice President and General Manager for 3M’s Aerospace & Commercial Transportation Division. “Many other companies in this space have limited capabilities, but xperion brings broad composites experience and deep manufacturing knowledge on a global scale.”
“The location of this new facility is significant – it will be the closest source of supply of Type 4 tanks for multiple heavy-duty OEM manufacturers,” said Sean Ellen, General Manager of xperion. “Combine this dedicated facility with 3M’s pipeline of materials and technologies and our skilled engineering and design team in Kassel, Germany, and we believe we have a solution that will deliver superior value to customers.”
3M and xperion plan to continue to address the light-duty CNG segment as well, where 3M commercially introduced its first CNG tank early last year and xperion introduced its X-STORE® CNG tank in 2008. The two companies will collaborate to provide similarly sized tanks in this space, now using the xperion X-STORE cylinders. 3M and xperion will work to incorporate 3M’s proprietary nanoparticle resin into the design of X-STORE tanks. During the transition, customers can count on the best-in-class support and customer service they’ve come to expect.
“xperion is a global leader in very high precision on composite applications, such as industrial rollers, automotive drive shafts, and aerospace components,” continued Yanchek. “They not only have exceptional composite design and engineering capabilities, but a tight focus on precision manufacturing and exceptional quality standards – that’s what really makes them such a great fit with 3M.”
“We’re excited to bring 3M innovation and technology together with our extensive CNG tank manufacturing expertise,” said Ellen. “As a Tier-1 supplier to many European automotive OEMs, we have completed rigorous qualification procedures and, along with 3M, have the understanding and experience needed to bring continuous innovation to the CNG category over time.”
3M’s and xperion’s announcement follows another recent announcement regarding 3M’s agreement with Rush Enterprises to provide enhanced CNG fuel systems, distribution and service support. Together, these companies now look to offer a complete back- and front-end CNG solution.
Yanchek finished, “We want to bring a holistic approach to the CNG space. Working with two other like-minded companies is a game-changing alignment in terms of quality, value and service.”
###
About 3M
3M captures the spark of new ideas and transforms them into thousands of ingenious products. Our culture of creative collaboration inspires a never-ending stream of powerful technologies that make life better. 3M is the innovation company that never stops inventing. With $31 billion in sales, 3M employs 89,000 people worldwide and has operations in more than 70 countries. For more information, visit www.3M.com or follow @3MNews on Twitter.
3M is a trademark of 3M Company.
About xperion
xperion Energy & Environment, an AVANCO Group company headquartered in Kassel, Germany is a leading manufacturer of Type 4 high pressure cylinders. The company is a world leader in composite manufacturing, providing lightweight solutions for automotive, heavy duty and gas transportation, including additional components such as drive shafts and risers. To enhance its North American presence, xperion has launched a new production facility in Heath, Ohio to be completed near the end of 2014.
X-STORE is a registered trademark of xperion Energy & Environment.
Contact:
Michael Gugala
Karwoski & Courage Public Relations
(612) 342-9604
m.gugala@creativepr.com
Jayne Brockman
3M
(651) 736 5961
Jayne.brockman@mmm.com
