Autoneum has added a third production line for manufacturing of semi-finished material of Ultra-Silent in Gundernhausen, Hesse, Germany. Lightweight underbody components made from Ultra-Silent, which reportedly uses a needlepunch process, significantly lower weight and reduces noise in vehicles while improving aerodynamics and reducing fuel consumption and CO₂ emissions.

The  production line, housed in a new facility, will increase the material’s output by more than 50% from around 5.5 million to more than 8 million underbody components per year. Among other things, this will benefit German, British, French and Japanese vehicle manufacturers, who face rising demand for lightweight underbody systems.

Ultra-Silent is among the the most lightweight textile underbody systems for vehicles available on the market. They are up to 50% lighter than corresponding components made of plastic. Ultra-Silent underbody systems also excel with a high degree of shock resistance and optimum stone chip protection. The mono-material made of glass-free polyester resists both water and heat and isfully recyclable. It also absorbs and reduces noise by up to two decibels and enhances the aerodynamics of vehicles by reducing their drag by up to 8%. This reduces fuel consumption and accordingly also CO₂ emissions.

Autoneum has been producing textile underbody components made of Ultra-Silent for the European market since 2009; so far over six million vehicles of European and Japanese customers have been equipped with these products. In Europe the lightweight components are manufactured among others in Sevelen and Gundernhausen. The global market launch of Ultra-Silent outside Europe took place in 2015 in North America.