Processing equipment maker Krauss-Maffei Kunststofftechnik (Munich, Germany) has just booked an order for a polyurethane (PUR) foam system from automotive-components supplier AuVitronics (Karachi, Pakistan). The processor supplies steering wheels via a technical license agreement with Toyota Gosei for Toyota Corolla models and will be using the Krauss-Maffei machinery to foam-encapsulate the steering wheel elements.

AuVitronics needed to invest in an application-specific system to meet Toyota quality standards for the steering wheel’s surface finish. The line features a new microcolor metering system for quick color changes. It is a turnkey system from mixing and metering to molds and mold carriers.

The Pakistani company was originally set up in 1983 to produce audio and video cassettes but has since diversified into other products including automotive components. Although the country’s automotive industry is starting from a small base, annual growth is strong with more than 150,000 cars produced last year. Domestic vehicle production is expected to rise to 500,000 by 2010.—[email protected]