• TI Fluid Systems’ all-new Thermoplastic Refrigerant Lines (TPRL) can be used in place of conventional aluminum and rubber assemblies and offer up to 60% of weight savings
• Multilayer plastic construction is flexible, lightweight and more cost-effective while reducing likelihood of leaks
• This innovative system, which is focused on supporting our customers’ electric vehicle production, is a direct result of the Company’s Take the Turn Strategy
• New TPRL system has already been specified by a global vehicle manufacturer for its latest electric vehicle

AUBURN HILLS, Michigan, USA (November 10, 2022) — TI Fluid Systems (TIFS), a leading global supplier of automotive fluid systems technology, has launched its groundbreaking new Thermoplastic Refrigerant Lines (TPRL) technology. Replacing conventional aluminum and rubber systems on liquid and suction refrigerant lines, TPRL’s multilayer polymer construction offers up to a 60% weight saving, making it ideally suited to the needs of vehicle electrification.

Drawing upon 30 years’ experience of multilayer tube design and extrusion, TI Fluid Systems has developed TPRL to meet customers’ performance requirements while being flexible, light and cost-effective. It uses a carefully developed combination of materials to yield optimal refrigerant resistance on the inside of the line, while materials on the outside of the line ensure it is resistant to environmental exposure.

Unlike conventional aluminum and rubber refrigerant lines, which are made up of several smaller tubes joined together using a crimp assembly process, TPRL eliminates the rubber hose and crimp assembly components, which helps to achieve weight savings. It also leads to improved system efficiency and lower risk of leakage, which tends to occur at the joint between two components.

These combined product benefits perfectly position TPRL within the electric vehicle (EV) segment, where lightweighting is crucial to the overall efficiency and performance of the vehicle. As such, TPRL is expected to be of significant interest to global vehicle manufacturers across the sector and has already been specified by one for its next generation EV.

Replacing the conventional aluminum and rubber components with thermoplastics also offers important environmental benefits. The production process for TPRL is significantly less energy intensive than that of aluminum lines, while it is also safer to manufacture than an equivalent rubber and aluminum solution.

Hans Dieltjens, President and CEO of TI Fluid Systems, said: “Our new TPRL technology is a leading development in the market and is a direct result of our Take the Turn electrification strategy. This development is a testament to our expertise and innovation in fluid handling for refrigeration, validated by the high level of interest shown by OEMs to adopt this economical and weight saving technology.”

TI Fluid Systems’ Take The Turn strategy will see the business enhance its EV capabilities in line with customer demand and deliver flexible systems that are more economical and energy efficient. It includes the opening of several E-Mobility Innovation Centers (eMICs) across the globe, the first of which was opened in Rastatt, Germany, earlier this year.

About TI Fluid Systems

TI Fluid Systems is a leading global manufacturer of fluid storage, carrying and delivery systems primarily for the light duty automotive market. With nearly 100 years of automotive fluid systems experience, TI Fluid Systems has manufacturing facilities in 104 locations across 29 countries serving all major global OEMs.

For more information, visit www.tifluidsystems.com.