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Volkswagen Teams Up With Rohm! Black PMMA Molding Material Achieves Paint-Free Automotive Exterior Finishing

Plastmatch Global Digest 2026-07-30 14:18:15

Key Points

Volkswagen and its supplier Magna selected PLEXIGLAS® Piano Black PMMA material for the rear spoiler, side panels, and pillar trim of the ID. Buzz model.

The painting process accounts for about 40% of the energy consumption in complete vehicle production at Volkswagen’s Wolfsburg plant, making in-mold coloring technology an important means of reducing emissions.

Finke Anwendungstechnik uses a three-stage cubic injection-compression mold combined with a hydraulic plunger to produce a rear spoiler measuring 1222 × 155 × 44 mm; this product is a two-component part, with a polycarbonate substrate and a PMMA surface layer.

The EU's End-of-Life Vehicles Directive (2026 version) requires that all automotive plastic components must have corresponding recycling plans, which will continuously influence material selection by automotive companies.

Color integrated molding process, eliminates coating and reduces carbon emissions.

Volkswagen, together with its supply chain partners, has adopted molded-in-color (MIC) injection molding for the production of rear spoilers, side wing panels, and pillar trims, replacing the traditional painting process. This process eliminates the wet painting steps that generate volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and consume thermal energy and water resources, thereby reducing energy consumption and lowering the vehicle’s carbon footprint. According to Volkswagen, the painting process accounts for about 40% of the total production energy consumption at its Wolfsburg plant.

Material Selection and Performance Advantages

Röhm’s PLEXIGLAS® PMMA molding compounds are available in transparent, translucent, and solid-color grades, enabling Class A surface quality while offering excellent UV resistance, weatherability, and chemical resistance. Röhm has developed a deep black grade specifically for high-gloss exterior parts (color code Black 9V022, known as “Piano Black”); Volkswagen uses this material in a range of exterior body components that require long-term retention of appearance quality.

Production Process and Mold Solution

This spoiler features a dual-component structure: polycarbonate substrate + PMMA surface layer. Finke Anwendungstechnik utilizes a three-part cubic mold and employs injection compression molding technology for production, using a hydraulic plunger to compact the PMMA surface layer and compensate for material shrinkage. Subsequent processes include laser removal of the gate, milling, and cleaning of the nozzle opening to ensure a flawless surface.

Regulatory and Lifecycle Considerations

Material selection is based on a life cycle assessment conducted in accordance with DIN EN ISO 14040/44 standards, while also being subject to new regulatory constraints: the EU End-of-Life Vehicles Directive, which will take effect in 2026, requires that a recycling plan be developed for every plastic component, compelling the industry to strike a balance among recyclability, product functionality, aesthetic quality, and production costs.

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Volkswagen Teams Up With Rohm! Black PMMA Molding Material Achieves Paint-Free Automotive Exterior Finishing

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