HPW Metallwerk significantly expands production of PEEK high-performance wires and responds to high demand in the electromobility sector

• Production capacities in Leonding (Upper Austria) to be significantly increased, additional production in North America from 2026
• Market demand for PEEK-insulated wires is increasing / Major order from an international OEM to HPW underpins development
• PEEK wires are characterised by higher performance and service life as well as faster charging performance for electric vehicles

Linz, 9 November 2023 - HPW Metallwerk GmbH (HPW) is further expanding its production capacities for high-performance wires with polyetheretherketone (PEEK) insulation due to the significant increase in demand. The increasing market demand manifests itself in a major order from an international automotive OEM, among other things, with an order volume in the mid three-digit million euro range (see Corporate News, 13 September 2023). HPW is already producing the patented PEEK wire in series at its Leonding site in Upper Austria. The current capacity is being expanded on a project-by-project basis and full capacity utilisation is expected at the Leonding plant as already in 2025. Following this gradual increase in production capacity in Austria, HPW will also produce PEEK-insulated high-performance wires at the new plant in North America from 2026. HPW will supply the innovative product to major international customers from there, and further series orders are currently being negotiated.

PEEK-insulated wires are a key product for the further development of electromobility. They are primarily used in 800 volt applications, such as in the area of commercial vehicles (e.g. electric buses, electric lorries, etc.). Compared to conventional enamelled wires, PEEK-insulated flat wires from HPW are characterised by better thermal and electrical properties. In electric vehicles, this leads to higher performance and a longer service life. PEEK-insulated flat wires also enable faster and more effective charging of electric vehicles. PEEK is a thermoplastic material, which means that PEEK-insulated wires can be moulded with significantly tighter bending radii than conventional enamelled wires and are more temperature-resistant. This enables a more compact design of the electric motors with a higher output.

Electric vehicles with system voltages of 800 volts and more are becoming increasingly popular on the e-mobility market, which also explains the growing demand for PEEK-insulated flat wires from HPW. Furthermore, according to current market studies, the share of new registrations of electric lorries is set to rise to over 85% in the USA, Europe and China by 2040.

Dr Ewald Koppensteiner, CEO of HPW: "The steadily increasing demand for our innovative PEEK wire demonstrates its superiority over conventional products. This heralds a new era, particularly in heavy goods transport and the next generation of high-speed loaders. HPW is the technology leader in this field and we are now multiplying our production capacities in Austria and the USA. We are further strengthening our strong market position through international expansion, thereby accelerating HPW's dynamic sales and earnings growth."

HPW, high performance wires, is a technology company that develops and produces key components for the global energy transition. HPW's high-performance flat wires are mainly used in e-mobility and in the field of renewable energies. The products are characterised by high efficiency, resilience and durability, thus increasing the efficiency of electric motors, for example. HPW is an established partner for customers worldwide - including major global OEMs as well as Tier 1 suppliers - in over 50 countries. HPW has the capacity to meet the ever-increasing global demand for high-performance wires. Based on patented technology and continuous innovation, HPW is constantly achieving further performance advantages and opening up additional application possibilities for its products. The company is headquartered in Linz, Austria

Pressekontakt

edicto GmbH

Axel Mühlhaus / Ralf Droz

Tel.: +49 (0)69-905505-54

E-Mail: