Novares launches surface finishing technology at Portuguese plant

Photo by Novares

French automotive component manufacturer Novares has now introduced in-mould labeling (IML) technology at its factory in Leiria, Portugal, for the surface finishing of plastic parts for the car industry.

The factory, which employs around 550 employees, produces complex plastic component systems such as instrument clusters, radio bezels and HVAC bezels for car interiors.

IML technology allows decorative or functional designs or lettering that would normally be printed as a label and attached to a plastic component to be integrated into the manufacture of the component.

The addition, said Novares 11 Dec, is in response to growing customer demand for tailored, decorative and functional components. As part of the upgrade, the company has also invested in equipment for high-pressure forming, trimming and automatic inspection.

Novares supplies parts to leading automotive suppliers including Faurecia, BHTC, Bosch, Continental, Kostal and Visteon from its Leiria plant.

The manufacturing unit employs various plastic processing technologies including injection, painting, laser etching, hot stamping and assembly.

“Novares is continually expanding its in-house capabilities and introducing the latest technologies to... [face] the growing challenges of the automotive market,“ said Pierre Boulet, CEO of Novares.