In 2020, the demand for caravans and campers was higher than ever among travel fans. As a result, both the lifestyle itself and the associated lightweight construction have become mainstream areas of interest. Leichtbau e. V. (igeL), a German interest group for lightweight construction, has been drawing up concepts to reduce weight for mobile interior design. Lightweight construction has plenty of benefits to offer caravanners. One obvious example of this is in terms of fuel—the lighter the vehicle, the lower its fuel consumption. This is a real selling point from both a financial and an environmental perspective. Take a closer look at these sophisticated lightweight systems and another huge plus becomes clear. In Germany, if the total weight of the vehicle can be reduced to less than 3.5 tonnes, then a camper van or bus can be driven by anyone with a Class B driver's license—the same qualification required for a normal car.
Combined Lightweight Expertise
Together with partners such as Jowat SE, igeL has set up a “Mobile Interior Design” task force to select materials and construction techniques specifically designed for use in caravans and camper vans. Founded in
2019, this task force is split into the working groups “Requirements,” “New Materials and Technology”and “Standardization,” as well as a “Knowledge Database” that enables the various igeL members to share their findings and experience. There is no competition here, as Peter Kettler of igeL explains: “Germany’s top three manufacturers of caravans are all members of igeL and act in their common interest. Our findings are also useful to manufacturers of yachts and custom vehicles.” In addition to industry experts, every link in the value chain is included in the process, including panel materials, surfaces and joining techniques. The latter is where Jowat—as an adhesives expert—comes in. In 2021, Klaus Kullmann, member of the Jowat Board of Directors, was appointed Deputy Chair of igeL.
“Different companies from the construction and furniture industries, higher learning institutes and many other areas all work together on ways to optimize this technology,” explains Jowat Product Manager David Puls in summary. “This collaboration produces new production processes, which present entirely new challenges for the bonding technology involved.” Jowat SE relishes these challenges—after all, lightweight construction is a concept that is hugely important to our future.
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