Industrial Automation Magazine India

Henkel innovations support OEMs to reach ambitious sustainability goals

Published on : Monday 22-03-2021

Bergquist gap filler TGF 3010 APS is a further sustainability milestone for Henkel.

March 2021 – With global sales of EVs rising rapidly, the automotive industry is seeing unprecedented needs for sustainable high-performance solutions in production as it orients itself towards an electric future. As an expert partner to OEMs and component manufacturers alike, Henkel Adhesive Technologies is helping to drive this change.

The introduction of a unique thermal gap filler solution has enabled one of the world’s largest automotive manufacturers to develop and manufacture lithium-ion battery packs more sustainably and cost effectively - and at the high volumes required to bring EVs to the mass market. Bergquist Gap Filler TGF 3010 APS not only extends the life of batteries through its high-performance heat dissipation but addresses different sustainability aspects at every stage of the value chain. The development and launch of Bergquist Gap Filler TGF 3010 APS under the Loctite brand are stated by Henkel as significant milestones in its annual sustainability report.

According to IHS Markit, sales of battery electric vehicles (BEV) and other EVs reached nearly 2.5 million in 2020 and is set to rise by about 70% in 20211. This growth represents the culmination of years of investment and research and development. In a key breakthrough, Henkel has collaborated with one of the world’s leading OEMs to develop a tailor-made thermal gap filler solution, unique in its sustainable packaging format that delivers critical heat dissipation needed by lithium batteries to ensure their reliability and high performance for the specific use case. Bergquist Gap Filler TGF 3010 APS from Henkel is a two-part, room temperature curable gap filler suitable for use in high-throughput assembly applications. Its 3.0 W/mK thermal performance provides an excellent heat transmission from the battery to the cooling system and is based on a silicone-free technology addressing the challenging requirements in the OEM’s assembly line. Additionally, the low pull-off force of TGF3010 APS support easier repair and recycling of battery packs. Based on its deep process know-how Henkel created the product to provide greater sustainability and efficiency at every stage in production. The Gap Filler is supplied in reusable drums designed to maximise filling volume, thereby reducing CO2 emissions through fewer transports and to minimise halts on the production line. The drums themselves can be reused to minimise waste and to increase efficiency. Launched in 2020, Henkel’s innovation has already been proven, enabling a large-scale customer to set ambitious goals to produce approximately ten million electric vehicles over the next few years.