Johnson Controls showcases two new, enhanced surface technologies at the IAA * More appealing parts for greater well-being

Burscheid (Germany) 11 September (PROTEXT/ots) - Johnson Controls, one ofthe world’s leading suppliers of automotive interiors, electronics andbatteries, has developed two new processes for the surface finishing ofvehicle interiors. While very different technologies are involved, thesetwo innovations have one factor in common: they both increase the qualityof interior surfaces. After all, the per-ceived value of the look and feelof surfaces makes a significant contribution to the feel-good factor ofvehicle interiors.

In principle, numerous technologies currently are available for the surfacefinishing of automotive interiors. These range from the enamel painting ofplastic parts, through various foils and injection-molded skin coatings upto elaborate finishes in natural leather. The reason that basic, untreatedsurfaces are commonly used in the lower vehicle segments is all a matter ofcost. With this in mind, the interior experts at Johnson Controls soughtalternative ways of creating high-quality surfaces that would improvecomponents' scratch resistance and matte appearance. Two pro-cesses whichmet these criteria are now fully developed and ready for serial production:PP Thin Film and the RIM alpha process.

Scratch resistance of PP Thin Film

The PP Thin Film method consists of a composite foil comprised of multiple,primarily polypropylene (PP) layers in a direct mold-behind process. Unlikeenamel-painted surface parts, these films are highly scratch-resistant. Asthe degree of glossiness can be varied, they also can be readily adapted tomatch the finish of adjacent parts.

In their innovative RIM alpha surface technology, specialists at JohnsonControls also have introduced advances in materials processing to achievecost-effective results. Unlike previous methods, only a one-step process isnow required, reducing the processing time by about half. The all-in-oneprocess also enables the production team to monitor wall thickness andreduce material consumption in the process. This allows strategic surfaceweakening to be included to accommodate airbag openings.

Commenting on the new developments, Dr. Detlef Jürss, Vice President ofProduct Enginee-ring Seating, Interiors and Systems for Johnson Controlssaid, “Our innovative surface processes offer wide-ranging potential to addvalue to vehicle interiors, while at the same time demonstrating howseemingly sophisti-cated technologies can still be fine-tuned throughinnovation.”

You will find the full press release with photos onhttp://www.johnsoncontrols.co.uk.

Further information is available from:

Johnson Controls GmbH

Automotive Experience

Industriestr. 20-30

51399 Burscheid

Germany

Astrid Schafmeister

Tel.: +49 2174 65-3189

Fax: +49 2174 65-3219

E-mail: astrid.schafmeister@jci.com

Ina Longwitz

Tel.: +49 2174 65-4343

E-mail: ina.longwitz@jci.com

Johnson Controls (NYSE: JCI) is the global leader that brings ingenuity tothe places where people live, work and travel. By integrating technologies,products and services, we create smart environments that redefine therelationships between people and their surroundings.

Our team of 140,000 employees creates a more comfortable, safe andsustainable world through our products and services for more than 200million vehicles, 12 million homes and one million commercial buildings.

For additional information, please visit http://www.johnsoncontrols.com.

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