ZKW develops sustainable materials for car headlights with partners
Together with the University of Leoben, JOANNEUM RESEARCH and the Polymer Competence Center Leoben, ZKW is researching the development of reusable materials, including polymers based on renewable raw materials. In the future, such sustainable materials are to be increasingly used for the production of sustainable vehicle headlights. The goal here is to achieve high durability and improved separability in order to be able to fully recycle the materials. In addition, self-healing plastics are to be used. “The global or European targets for the circular economy are a great challenge for manufacturers of complex systems. The results of this project should enable a broader use of materials. This will enable us to make an important contribution to sustainability,” says Dr Wilhelm Steger, CEO of the ZKW Group.
ZKW and REHAU Automotive enter into cooperation to develop intelligent vehicle fronts
Automotive lighting system specialist ZKW and REHAU Automotive, plastics specialist and automotive supplier, have decided to jointly drive forward the integration of modern lighting systems in vehicle fronts. In the future, “intelligent vehicle fronts” and possible series products are to be developed. Therefore, REHAU Automotive and ZKW will work together on concepts and pre-development projects in order to be able to offer customers future-oriented solutions for the connection of light, sensor technology and electronics in the vehicle front in the sense of a “seamless intelligent vehicle front”.
ZKW ranks among the top 3 European patent applications from Austria
61 of the 224 applications from Lower Austria at the European Patent Office in 2022 come from the ZKW Group. The Wieselburg-based lighting systems specialist is thus the frontrunner in Austria’s largest province. In Europe, ZKW ranks third among all Austrian companies that have filed inventions. Last year’s patent-pending developments focused on styling and functionality: among them is a lighting element for front and rear lights that is modelled on a crystal and at the same time extremely efficient. Another innovation from ZKW is a display with controllable foils that can display pictograms as well as be used for large-area lighting. “The cornerstones for high-tech products are intensive research as well as constant further development. In this way, we give our customers more design freedom while exploiting all the technical possibilities,” explains Dr Wilhelm Steger, CEO of the ZKW Group.
ZKW awarded seal of quality for workplace health promotion
For years, the Wieselburg-based lighting systems specialist has been intensively committed to promoting the health of its employees and making the company healthier. ZKW has now once again been awarded the seal of quality for workplace health promotion by the BGF network. The ZKW FIT programme offers employees, among other things, a comprehensive exercise programme, various preventive services and targeted nutritional advice. “The health and satisfaction of our employees is very important to us. The award recognises our activities for the well-being of the workforce,” says Dr Wilhelm Steger, CEO of the ZKW Group.
ZKW receives Quality Contribution Award from Geely
On 22 February 2023, ZKW Dalian received the Lynk & Co 09 Quality Contribution Award from Chinese vehicle manufacturer Geely. The award recognises the particularly high delivery quality of the lighting systems specialist. Despite the automotive industry struggling with the global chip shortage and the effects of the COVID-19 epidemic last year, ZKW was able to fulfil its supply contracts with Geely in China on time, reliably and with the highest quality. “The award recognises the extraordinary commitment of our employees, who were able to deliver outstanding performance despite difficult market conditions,” explains Dr Wilhelm Steger, CEO of the ZKW Group.
ZKW and ÖAMTC Fahrtechnik organize joint training courses
ZKW and ÖAMTC Fahrtechnik cooperate closely in the training of instructors. In February and March, the partners will hold lighting technology training courses for around 160 ÖAMTC driving technology instructors from all over Austria directly at ZKW’s Wieselburg site. The content of the training courses includes the latest headlamp developments and technologies (such as glare-free high beam), the complexity of vehicle lighting, correct headlamp settings, international legal requirements and the future of lighting systems. “We are very pleased that we as ZKW are making a significant contribution to driving safety with the ÖAMTC training courses,” says Dr Wilhelm Steger, CEO of ZKW Group GmbH.
ZKW and LG present new Superintegrator lighting system at CES in Las Vegas
At this year’s Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in Las Vegas, ZKW and LG Electronics Vehicle component Solutions jointly presented their innovations for the mobility of the future. As a highlight, the new Superintegrator concept was presented for the first time – an intelligent system of LED light and display that creates a completely new vehicle front. Among other things, the concept developed in Wieselburg makes it possible to let the front shine in any design or display messages with the help of software. ZKW also presented other innovative headlight systems, such as the new crystal light for the BMW i7, which was developed in cooperation with Swarovski. “CES is very important for us, because we want to grow further together with LG in the NAFTA region,” says Dr. Wilhelm Steger, CEO of the ZKW Group.
ZKW wins “Special Mention” award of the German Design Award
After winning the German Innovation Award, ZKW’s “Black Box” has now also been awarded the “Special Mention” prize of the German Design Award. The prize underlines the remarkable design of the ZKW Black Box. The award-winning robot station from the Wieselburg-based lighting specialist is used for the simpler, fully automatic processing and quality inspection of headlight lenses. “We are extremely pleased to receive this award. The award recognises the special innovative achievements of our employees,” explains Dr Wilhelm Steger, CEO of the ZKW Group.
ZKW and Swarovski let the new BMW i7 shine with crystal headlights
One of the highlights of the new all-electric BMW i7 are the sparkling crystal headlights. ZKW has developed a unique lighting system in cooperation with Swarovski and the Bavarian car manufacturer. The four precisely cut crystals on each side of the “Iconic Glow” headlights are underlain by individually controlled LEDs. These support the daytime running and indicator lights, creating a vibrant, sparkling glow that is particularly effective during the “Welcome and Goodbye light staging” functions. In the lower part of the front of the BMW i7, high and low beams are discreetly positioned using ZKW LED matrix technology. The crystal headlights are produced in pan-European manufacturing. The premium crystal light was developed at the headquarters of the lighting systems specialist in Wieselburg, it is manufactured at the Slovakian site in Krusovce, the crystals come from Austria. “The innovative lighting system opens up new dimensions that no longer have anything in common with classic spotlights. With the crystal light, we have created a completely new kind of lighting effect for a premium automobile,” says Dr Wilhelm Steger, CEO of the ZKW Group.
ZKW wins SAP Digital Procurement Excellence Award 2022
ZKW received the SAP Digital Procurement Excellence Award 2022 at the SAP Purchasing Forum, which took place in Vienna on 20 September 2022. The award recognizes the rapid implementation, high level of integration into the SAP system and the wide range of functions offered by the project. “As a central, digital procurement and supplier platform, SAP Ariba facilitates all operational purchasing processes at ZKW,” says Dr Wilhelm Steger, CEO of ZKW Group GmbH.