Glendale-based Johnson Controls Inc. is currently showcasing several new innovations at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit, one of which is a stain-fighting seat coating.
Called FreshPer4mance, it repels dirt and liquid and protects passengers from germs and static.
“Our FreshPer4mance innovation provides vehicle owners with greater protection from everyday wear and tear when it comes to seat covers,” said Detlef Juerss, group vice president and general manager, customer groups Europe, Johnson Controls Automotive Seating. “This product not only prevents damage from stains over the vehicle’s lifetime, it also protects the fabric from dirty hands and spills.”
Making textiles liquid-repellent, stain- and germ-resistant, and antistatic, FreshPer4mance allows stubborn dirt to be removed with one wipe without leaving any marks. FreshPer4mance is especially intended for heavily used seat covers in commercial vehicles, as well as for vehicles with constantly changing drivers, such as rental cars, car-sharing and pool vehicles.
The coating enables automakers to expand their range of trim fabrics to include lighter colors and, thus, offer their customers more distinctive and customized vehicle options.
Another product displayed at the automotive exhibition is the CAMISMA seat prototype. Available in vehicles in 2019, the seat is more than 40 percent lighter than conventionally manufactured seat structures without compromising safety properties. CAMISMA stands for “carbon-amide-metal-based interior structure using a multi-material system approach.”
Johnson Controls received this year’s CLEPA (European Association of Automotive Suppliers) Innovation Award in the “Green” category for the CAMISMA seat prototype because it represents an “outstanding, future-oriented solution for sustainable carbon dioxide reduction.”
The North American International Auto Show opened to the media and industry officials on Jan. 12. It will be open to the public through Sunday. For more information, visit www.naias.com.
Johnson Controls also unveiled at the show its most recent lightweight and sustainable interior solutions, including a soft tambour door armrest and a slim overhead console, in addition to other interior innovations, including a vertical sunglass bin and moveable armrest for door panels.
In other Johnson Controls news, the company recently announced its seating, interiors and battery presence is growing in China, where its second global corporate headquarters, located in Shanghai, is scheduled to open in 2017. The growth is due to plant openings, key customer partnerships, joint ventures and strategic agreements.
“While we already have the facilities and extensive relationships to serve the automotive market in China, we will continue to add manufacturing capacity and expand our operational footprint across our businesses as market demand grows,” said Beda Bolzenius, vice chairman of Asia Pacific, Johnson Controls. “Our investments allow us to reach all parts of China and the Asia-Pacific region as a whole and provide fast, efficient and localized service to our customers.”
