A WORCESTERSHIRE manufacturer is helping to develop new and cleaner engines for the UK automotive industry. Goodflex of Honeybourne, near Evesham is producing hose components for engines that have to meet strict emission rules brought in by the European Commission at the start of the year. The regulations mean engines are now running at higher temperatures and higher pressures.

Mark Dufty, Goodflex managing director, explained: "We have worked very close with our customers’ engineering teams to design hose components that will perform with higher coolant temperatures, more advanced coolants and higher engine pressures required by the new Euro 6 engines. We have also been able to guide our customers on the use of state-of-the-art reinforcements and innovations such as double-braiding reinforcement. We’ve advised them on our latest materials available for compatibility with the latest organic acid technology coolants and been able to successfully design and manufacture the more intricate hose profiles that are demanded by the increased complexity of the EURO 6 engines, while being governed by the same engine bay constraints.”

Goodflex has invested significantly in research and development, enhancing its build processes, material options and tooling designs to be able to support customers with

their redevelopment work for Euro 6. This has extended to advising on suitable, cost-effective materials for the UREA systems, which on many engines enabled the new legislation to be met.

“It has been an interesting challenge,” Mr Dufty added, “but here at Goodflex we certainly feel we are now in an excellent position to support our customers in meeting the Euro 6 legislation and ultimately drive down vehicle emissions.”