Essex Furukawa and Solvay Win Recognition from Magna for Innovative KetaSpire PEEK Polymer Coated High Voltage Winding Wire Technology

Essex Furukawa Magnet Wire Europe GmbH (EFMWE), a Superior Essex Company, along with Solvay, a leading global supplier of specialty polymers, has won recognition from Magna for the development of next-generation automotive magnet wires. Magna Powertrain had invited suppliers to submit ideas for innovations capable of advancing demanding challenges in the production of automotive electric and hybrid motors. The jointly developed winning concept combines EFMWE’s HVWW® (High Voltage Winding Wire) technology for electric traction motors and an insulation coating using Solvay’s KetaSpire® PEEK polymer.

As one of only seven innovation concepts through to the second round of the Magna Powertrain competition, the joint entry by Solvay and EFMWE was awarded First Prize by the company’s Innovation Committee.

“We are very proud to receive this award and happy to contribute to the continuing electrification of European automobiles with innovative technologies from Japan.” Says Toshinobu Harada, Chief Technology Officer, Essex Furukawa.

The new technology demonstrates the benefits gained by industry leaders collaborating to overcome existing constraints by enabling more durable, efficient and downsized large electric traction motors running at higher voltages and currents and speed the time-to-market of major advances in automotive engineering

Electrified powertrains are among the main drivers of automotive innovation that will bring significant changes to the design and manufacture of vehicles, particularly hybrid and fully electric models

About Essex Group, Inc.—a Superior Essex Inc. Company

Essex Magnet Wire is the leading, global provider of magnet wire that is used by most major original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) and industry leaders in the automotive, energy, and industrial sectors. Essex Magnet Wire has facilities in 11 countries, on three continents, and operates its business to act globally but serve locally. Having 90 years of experience allows Essex Magnet Wire to deliver innovation that customers demand while being vertically integrated in the manufacturing process to ensure quality and provide seamless delivery services from distribution centers around the world. The Essex MagForceX™ Innovation Center is furthering technological advancements in magnet wire through research and development that will provide custom solutions to customer challenges into the future. For more information, visit, https://essexwire.com

About Furukawa Electric Co., Ltd.

Furukawa Electric Co., Ltd. (TSE: 5801) started business in 1884, when its copper-smelting facility and wire-manufacturing factory was established. Since then Furukawa Electric has become pioneers in the latest technologies by addressing diverse technological issues.

Furukawa Electric has released products in a number of areas, including telecommunications, electronics, automobiles, and construction, with the three types of materials it works with at their core, namely, optics, plastics, and metals. Many of these products have attained the top global market share, and all of its products have contributed to society in numerous business areas. Furukawa Electric reported consolidated revenues of JPY 843.3 billion (approximately USD 7.8B) for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2017. To learn more about Furukawa Electric, please visit furukawa.co.jp/en.