Hexion Helps Lotus Make Its Fastest Production Road Car Ever

COLUMBUS, Ohio, USA & FAREHAM, Hants, UK

A specially formulated glass- and carbon-fiber epoxy resin system from Hexion Inc. (“Hexion” or “the Company), processed at Hexion’s Combined Composite Technologies (CCT) business unit based in Fareham, UK, is helping Lotus take lighter, faster sports cars to the next level. Hexion’s custom resin system, along with CCT’s novel process for producing the composite automotive panels on the Lotus 3-Eleven, have resulted in weight savings of 40 percent over other Lotus models.

The lightweight body panels enable the high-performance road car to weigh in at under 900 kilograms, with a power to weight ratio in excess of 500 horsepower per ton. The 3-Eleven is capable of accelerating from zero to 60 miles per hour in less than three seconds and can reach speeds of 180 miles per hour.

The key to the lightweight panels is a bespoke resin infusion composite process from Hexion. A preform binder is applied during the layup of glass fiber reinforcement in panel molds to fixate the fiber in the desired shapes. Then the heated mold tools are pressurized and infused with a custom epoxy resin system at high pressure. By closely controlling the temperature, flow and pressure of the resin through the molds, Hexion’s process minimizes the amount of resin required – reducing panel weight – while maximizing quality and finish.

“This new process is a first for a production car, and an example of Lotus’ focus on utilizing pioneering new technology and lightweight materials in its vehicles,” says Jean-Marc Gales, CEO of Lotus. “The choice of Hexion’s material technology has allowed extreme vehicle performance targets to be met and helped us realize the 3-Eleven’s dynamic styling.”

“We’re proud to be working together with Lotus to make the 3-Eleven faster and lighter and bring this dramatic car to life,“ says Paul Collier, Managing Director of Hexion’s CCT.

About Hexion

Based in Columbus, Ohio, Hexion Inc. (formerly known as Momentive Specialty Chemicals Inc.) is a global leader in thermoset resins. Hexion Inc. serves the global wood and industrial markets through a broad range of thermoset technologies, specialty products and technical support for customers in a diverse range of applications and industries. Hexion Inc. is controlled by investment funds affiliated with Apollo Global Management, LLC. Additional information about Hexion Inc. and its products is available at www.hexion.com.

Hexion Combined Composite Technologies is based in Fareham, Hampshire, UK has over 50 years’ experience of providing the highest quality composite tooling and components. Hexion CCT is a one-stop shop for component design, process development, material selection, prototyping and manufacturing. The Company offers innovative resin systems, in-house design capability, from prototype to series production.

For information about Lotus 311 and images go to: http://www.lotuscars.com/3eleven/

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Hexion Inc.
Paul Collier, +44 (0)1489 585 900
paul.collier@hexion.com
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Mary Ann Griffiths
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John Kompa 614-225-2223
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