CONSTELLIUM NV announced the launch of new aluminium high-strength Crash Management Systems (CMS) technology designed for the front and the rear of a vehicle for enhanced structural protection in the event of a collision. Constellium’s innovative technology enables the production of aluminium CMS that are 15 per cent lighter and 10 per cent stronger than the current aluminium CMS on the market.

“As a leading supplier of automotive crash management systems with both engineering and manufacturing capabilities in Europe, China, and the United States, Constellium is continuously developing innovative technologies and products to further increase the use of aluminium extrusions in the automotive market,” said Paul Warton, president of Constellium’s Automotive Structures and Industry business unit. “We believe that Constellium’s technology combined with advanced design and manufacturing capabilities will result in higher performance and cost efficiency, thus opening new possibilities to expand the use of full-aluminium CMS in the mass-market car segment.”

Automotive sector analysts expect the use of aluminum CMS to increase in the next five years, particularly in European premium cars. By 2018, aluminium CMS are projected to capture about 30 per cent of total European automotive market share. In the United States, aluminium CMS are expected to account for nearly 20 per cent market share by 2018. Combined aluminium CMS production for China, Europe and North America is expected to reach more than 28 million units by 2018.

Constellium’s new-generation CMS combine the properties of the 6xxx aluminium alloy family – formability, corrosion resistance, energy absorption, recyclability – with high-strength mechanical performance.

“Thanks to  our world-class capabilities in diverse geographies, expertise in both extrusion and rolling techniques, and determination to continuously develop our leadership, we believe Constellium is uniquely placed to serve the growing market for aluminium in the automotive industry, both in structural parts and Body-in-White,” commented Pierre Vareille, chief executive officer of Constellium.

Constellium’s CMS technology was developed through cutting-edge research at Constellium’s R&D Centre in Voreppe, France, testing at its industrial sites, and in close collaboration with its automotive customers.