Stellantis to Double Capacity with New Turnkey Paint Shop
Image courtesy of Dürr.
Stellantis is set to double overall capacity at its Kenitra site with a new turnkey paint shop from Dürr. The advanced production technology supports energy-efficient and environmentally friendly electric car coating. Additionally, repurposed paint robots from other Stellantis plants are being used to conserve resources.
The new plant, located in northwest Morocco, aims to serve as a model for energy optimization while significantly increasing Stellantis' production capacity for battery-powered vehicles and hybrid models across its Peugeot, Citroën, and Fiat brands. The paint shop will handle 30 car bodies per hour, matching the rate of the first Kenitra plant, which Dürr built in 2019.
Conserving Water, Chemicals, and Energy
Stellantis selected Dürr’s patented RoDip® rotational dip process for pretreatment and cathodic electrocoating. This innovative method rotates car bodies on their axis, offering exceptional corrosion protection. RoDip® uses significantly less water, fewer chemicals, and less heating energy, thanks to a conveyor system that eliminates the need for inclined tank entrances and exits. This reduces the immersion tank length and tank volume, further minimizing energy and material consumption while lowering operating costs.
Reducing Carbon Emissions by 40%
The Stellantis Group will also debut Dürr’s EcoInCure electric oven, featuring air flow conduction that heats and cools car bodies from the inside out. This design lowers car body heating time by up to 30% and reduces thermal-structural stress. Operating with green electricity, the electric EcoInCure reduces paint shop emissions by 40%, compared to its gas-powered counterpart, aligning with Stellantis' sustainability goals.
Repurposing for Optimal Resource Use
Stellantis is adopting wet-on-wet technology to save time and energy. The process involves two-tone painting across three exterior stations, utilizing robots from existing Italian plants equipped with EcoBell2 applicators. Additionally, air supply units, heaters, and conveyors from European plants are being transported to Morocco for reuse. This approach maximizes resources and supports the construction of the paint shop within strict time and cost constraints without compromising coating quality.
For more information, visit durr.com.
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