The selection of textiles for use in automotive design and manufacture that adhere to stringent quality, acoustic, safety and environmental requirements is critical, says textiles manufacturer Fibertex SA sales manager Rosa Naidoo.

She adds that Fibertex SA – part of the global Fibertex group – has a thorough understanding of constantly advancing requirements in the automotive sector in South Africa.

Fibertex specialists work closely with automotive manufacturers to design solutions for vehicles, using lightweight materials for high performance, enhanced comfort inside the cabin, extended service life and optimum safety on the road.

“Fibertex nonwovens are used in automotive manufacturing to reduce the weight of a vehicle for improved fuel economy, to enhance comfort, for general thermal and acoustic insulation and to also offer flame retardancy. “These high-performance materials improve the driving experience, through advanced acoustics,” boasts Naidoo.

Fibertex nonwovens are designed for use in many automotive applications, including the engine bay, interiors, wheels and underbody, as well as the luggage compartment.

Materials for the engine bay are suitable for engine compartment and dashboard insulation and tunnel absorbers. Fibertex materials are used in automotive interiors for headliners, seats, carpet backings and door panels.

These materials are also used for wheel housings and liners, the underbody cover, secondary carpet backings and cable wraps. Luggage compartment applications include the parcel tray liners, trunk liners, as well as seat cover backings and carpet backings.

Naidoo asserts that Fibertex continuously invests in technological advancements to meet requirements in the automotive sector and has developed a range of environment-friendly sound absorption materials, with excellent acoustic properties.

Lightweight materials are highly effective in vehicle roofs to reduce high-frequency noise during travel. Heavyweight, needled polyethylene terephthalate fabric is used in moulded wheel arches to reduce tyre noise and facing fabrics for bonnet insulation significantly reduces engine noise.

Global support from the holding company in Denmark guarantees the edge on product design, notably the manufacturing standards, cost efficiency, safety and reliability of every Fibertex material. Apart from the automotive sector, key areas of business are acoustics, bedding, building, composites, concrete, filtration, flooring, furniture, geotextiles, medical and wipes.