Johnson Controls with Fraunhofer Research Institution for Polymeric Materials and Composites PYCO announce cooperation agreement

Burscheid, Germany (ots) -

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Joint research and development for lightweight and sustainable
materials in the automotive industry

Johnson Controls, a global leader in automotive seating, overhead
systems, door and instrument panels, and interior electronics, today
announced a long-term cooperation agreement with the Fraunhofer
Research Institution for Polymeric Materials and Composites PYCO.
PYCO is a developer of highly cross-linked polymers for all
applications. Both organizations will collaborate on developing
sustainable solutions for the automotive industry.

Johnson Controls and Fraunhofer PYCO's research and development
initiatives will focus on developing polymer systems that are
recyclable, repairable, and have excellent mechanical properties. An
area of collaboration includes fiber-reinforced synthetics for the
automotive industry. Identifying energy efficient production
processes are another part of the research.

"We are pleased to be collaborating with Fraunhofer PYCO," said
Andreas Eppinger, group vice president technology management for
Johnson Controls Automotive Experience. "Together, we want to develop
new lightweight materials and bring them to market sooner."

"The cooperation with Johnson Controls allows us to collaborate on
a long-term basis with a strong partner in the area of lightweight
materials for the automotive industry," said Monika Bauer, head of
PYCO.

Within the framework of the agreement, Johnson Controls and the
Fraunhofer Institution will expand the PYCO-Technikum science center
in Wildau, Germany, and will implement innovative processing
technologies.

About Johnson Controls

Johnson Controls is a global diversified technology and industrial
leader serving customers in more than 150 countries. Our 162,000
employees create quality products, services and solutions to optimize
energy and operational efficiencies of buildings; lead-acid
automotive batteries and advanced batteries for hybrid and electric
vehicles; and interior systems for automobiles. Our commitment to
sustainability dates back to our roots in 1885, with the invention of
the first electric room thermostat. Through our growth strategies and
by increasing market share we are committed to delivering value to
shareholders and making our customers successful.

About Johnson Controls Automotive Experience

Johnson Controls is a global leader in automotive seating,
overhead systems, door and instrument panels, and interior
electronics. We support all major makers in the differentiation of
their vehicles through our products, technologies and advanced
manufacturing capabilities. With 240 locations worldwide, we are
where our customers need us to be. Consumers have enjoyed the comfort
and style of our products, from single components to complete
interiors. With our global capability we supply approximately 50
million cars per year.

About Fraunhofer PYCO

The Fraunhofer Research Institution for Polymeric Materials and
Composites PYCO develops highly cross-linked polymers (reactive
resins/duromers) and fiber-reinforced composites for applications in
all sectors, particularly transport technology.

Adhesives, coatings, varnishes, binders, inmolds/gelcoats, casting
resins, prepregs, resin transfer molding (RTM), pultrusion resins and
foams are the principal forms of reactive resin used in lightweight
vehicle construction. They have special properties, such as high
flame retardancy, high fracture toughness (brittleness), minimum
volume shrinkage, fast and latent curing and repair and recycling
ability.

Uniquely for a research institution in Germany, the entire
development chain from monomers to the finished part is covered.
Depending on the user's specific development stage, at the end of
development reactive resin formulations, fiber-reinforced materials,
sandwich structures or other requested demonstrator parts are the
result.

For more information, please contact:
Johnson Controls GmbH
Automotive Experience
Industriestrasse 20-30
51399 Burscheid
Germany

Oliver Herkert
Tel.: +49 2174 65-4348
Fax: +49 2174 65-3219
E-Mail: oliver.herkert@jci.com