“The Mapquilt Tree” reflects the urban structure of Berlin’s Wedding district, reimagining it as a stylised tree canopy. Inspired by the concept of a quilt, the design brings together numerous individual sections to create a coherent whole. The choice of materials also creates a deliberate connection to everyday urban life: stainless steel and polycarbonate are familiar elements of the built environment, forming a subtle link between individual experience and public space. Streets and pathways become stainless-steel branches framing the built-up areas represented on translucent polycarbonate sheets.

Five-millimetre-thick, opal white Exolon® UV solid polycarbonate sheets, featuring UV protection on both sides, were used for the translucent elements of the canopy. The soft white tone enhances the sculpture’s open and airy appearance, while changing daylight conditions and viewing angles create a variety of visual effects.

Why choose UV-protected solid polycarbonate sheets?

The project required a material that could be machined precisely and formed into the shapes specified by the design. At the same time, it needed to be suitable for long-term outdoor use.

Artist Stephanie Imbeau was particularly impressed by the material’s ease of processing, visual quality and thermoforming capabilities. These properties made it possible to shape the individual elements of the canopy in line with the cartographic design and integrate them into the stainless-steel structure while preserving the textile-inspired character of the original concept.

“The Mapquilt Tree” demonstrates how high-performance materials can help bring artistic concepts to life. The interplay between the translucent polycarbonate sheets and the stainless-steel elements creates a striking contrast, giving the sculpture a contemporary yet delicate presence.

High-Quality Polycarbonate Solutions for Glazing, Roof, and B-Pillar

For this project, the Exolon Group supplied premium polycarbonate sheet solutions with high optical quality, specifically developed for demanding visual and design applications. The vehicle glazing – including the windshield, rear window, and side windows – is made of transparent solid polycarbonate sheets with a thickness of 5 mm. These ensure clear, distortion-free visibility, high impact resistance, and significantly reduced weight compared to glass.

In the roof area of the e-shuttle, a 6 mm thick polycarbonate sheet in a modern gray tint is used. It is manufactured from a sustainable, plant-based raw material granulate and is ISCC PLUS certified. This clearly demonstrates the project’s commitment to the responsible use of future-oriented materials in tomorrow’s mobility. An IR absorber integrated into the raw material also reduces interior heat build-up under strong sunlight.

Another defining design element is the vehicle’s B-pillar cover, which was extruded from a special polycarbonate compound in a brown-orange shade. The 6 mm thick sheet combines functional stability with a distinctive visual impact.

Excellent Formability and Low Weight as Design and Engineering Advantages

The materials from the Exolon Group used in the fully electric, autonomous e-shuttle approved for road use are characterized by their excellent thermoformability. This allowed the sheet material to be efficiently and precisely adapted to the sleek bus design. In combination with the low weight of the polycarbonate sheets, this opened up additional structural and creative freedom – a decisive advantage for innovative vehicle concepts.

With this project, the Exolon Group impressively demonstrates how modern solid polycarbonate sheet solutions help transform visionary mobility concepts into reality, harmonizing design, engineering, and sustainability.

About UE | STUDIOS
UE | STUDIOS, headquartered in Gaimersheim and Munich, is a globally recognized company for design and engineering services with 7 locations and 21 studios. Since its founding in 1991, the company has established itself as a leading partner for national and international clients. A team of more than 200 employees delivers projects from the initial sketch to fully functional prototypes – ranging from vehicles and aviation to museum installations. With more than 150 show cars produced, UE | STUDIOS is regarded as the world market leader in the production of fully functional vehicle prototypes.

About the SUE project:

SUE (Self-Driving Urban E-Shuttle) is an autonomous, fully electric people mover designed to shape the public transport systems of tomorrow. Developed entirely from the ground up, the vehicle stands as a “Made in Germany” flagship project for technological sovereignty and sustainable mobility. SUE is initiated and led by UE | STUDIOS. As vehicle manufacturer, UE | STUDIOS is responsible for the complete development, design and production of the prototype.

The consortium comprises ten partners: DB Regio, ElringKlinger AG, Faissner Petermeier Fahrzeugtechnik AG, TÜV NORD Mobilität, Fraunhofer EMFT, Technische Hochschule Ingolstadt, Niedersächsisches Forschungszentrum Fahrzeugtechnik, Landkreis Kelheim and IFG Ingolstadt.

The project is funded by the Federal Republic of Germany and the European Union, with the Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy acting as the funding body based on a resolution of the German Bundestag.

ECORANGE comprises four product types based on recycled or renewable raw materials. Depending on the variant, sheets contain up to 100 % pre-consumer recyclate, post-consumer content or certified bio-circular materials. Full traceability throughout the value chain ensures maximum transparency and credibility. Exolon Group already obtained the necessary ISCC PLUS certification (International Sustainability & Carbon Certification) in 2021.

The company’s commitment to sustainability extends far beyond the product itself. Through the “Closing the Loop” initiative, recycling is actively promoted, processing scrap is collected and recycled into new material flows. The production sites are partly powered by in-house solar energy and certified according to ISO 14001 environmental standards.

With ECORANGE, Exolon Group offers a forward-thinking answer to the demands of a climate-conscious plastics industry – embracing circular economy principles without compromising on quality, durability or design.

Visit us at K 2025 in Düsseldorf: Hall 8b, Booth F30.

The products in the Exolon^® Optica series are designed for applications that call for outstanding transparency and robust protection. The solid polycarbonate plates offer a clear and transparent finish with no clouding, inclusions or superficial defects. As a result, the sheets transmit light with minimal distortion, scatter and absorption. They are also extremely resistant to impact and abrasion and come with splinter protection. The sheets can be screen-printed to cater for individual designs.

Three versions for optimum safety

Exolon^® Optica is available in three versions: Exolon Optica LX, Exolon Optica AR and Exolon Optica AR-LX.

The uncoated Exolon^® Optica LX sheets are especially suited for various lamination configurations where the sheets are used in combination with glass panes. This allows for freedom of design and a lower overall weight, and they can be worked as part of cold-bend and thermoformable processes.

Areas of application range from multi-layered safety glazing and glazing for vehicles and machines to visors and museum display cases.

For when transparency, consistency are protection are essential

Coated Exolon® Optica AR sheets are the top choice for demanding flat laminations in special security applications that call for extreme durability. These sheets are used in safety glazing where penetration-resistant and abrasion-resistant properties are essential, and they can be printed with polycarbonate-compatible ink on the uncoated side.

Exolon^® Optica AR-LX sheets can be bent easily despite this coating, making them ideal for curved windows in vehicles as well as as an anti-shatter layer in safety glazing, e.g. bullet-proof glass and anti-ballistic glazing for military, police or VIP vehicles.

To ensure the optical properties meet the highest standards in terms of visual performance, all Exolon^® Optica polycarbonate sheets are produced in a cleanroom environment.

The material is tested in accordance with DIN 52305 with regard to its distortion capacity, thereby guaranteeing a clear and undistorted view at all times, especially for safety glazing.

Visit us at K 2025 in Duesseldorf, Germany: Hall 8b, Stand F30.

Future-Proof for Food Technology

Whether for food moulds, machine covers or clear inspection windows – manufacturers of components and equipment for food contact need suitable alternatives to traditional plastics. With Inspria^® GP, Exolon Group offers a high-performance material that meets both technical and regulatory requirements.

Sustainable Chocolate Moulding

For chocolate moulding applications, Exolon Group presents Inspria^® GP rECOplus2, a sustainable option containing 25% post-consumer recycled material while maintaining the same mechanical properties and processing benefits as the base product.

Hygienic & Versatile

Inspria^® GP combines glass-like transparency, excellent chemical resistance and outstanding impact strength. It can be thermoformed without stress cracking and retains its structural integrity even under high draw ratios and complex shaping. The material is heat-resistant up to 90 °C and easy to machine.

Typical applications: reusable packaging, viewing windows, protective covers and deep-drawn components in hygienically sensitive environments with frequent cleaning.

Growing Inspria® Portfolio

Following the launch of Inspria^® Med for medical applications in 2023, Exolon Group now introduces Inspria^® GP and GP rECOplus2 to meet the demands of the food industry. These products highlight Exolon Group’s commitment to safe, innovative, and application-driven high-performance plastics.

Experience it live at K 2025

Exolon Group will showcase the full Inspria^® range and its extensive solid and multiwall sheet portfolio at Hall 8b, Stand F30, from 8 to 15 October 2025.

Optical quality – redefined

With its new generation of Exolon^® Optica solid sheets, Exolon Group is setting new standards for transparent plastic solutions. Designed for applications requiring crystal-clear optical quality combined with durability, the Optica series offers distortion-free clarity without haze, inclusions or surface defects. These sheets are highly impact- and abrasion-resistant and provide shatter protection, making them ideal for safety glazing, forestry and agricultural machinery and anti-ballistic applications. Optica sheets are available in coated and uncoated versions.

A powerful quartet for the food industry

With Vivak^®, Inspria^® GP, Axpet^® and Curvalite^®, Exolon Group offers a strong portfolio of food-grade plastic sheets. These materials already comply with the upcoming EU regulation banning Bisphenol A (BPA) in food contact materials, starting in 2028. All three are odour-neutral, hygienic in processing and available in sustainable variants. Their high transparency, impact resistance and formability make them ideal for reusable packaging, chocolate moulds, point-of-sale displays and technical covers in food-related environments.

Innovations for building & construction

Exolon Group offers durable plastic solutions for commercial and industrial construction. Solid and multiwall polycarbonate sheets are primarily used in roof structures such as skylights, skydomes, stadium canopies, verandas or carports – they are lightweight, UV-resistant, impact-resistant and offer good thermal insulation depending on sheet thickness.

For façade applications, robust click panels combine functionality with architectural appeal. A highlight is the new Exolon Panel with 60 mm thickness and HX structure, providing high load-bearing capacity and heat insulation.

The range is complemented by lightweight yet rigid corrugated and trapezoidal sheets, ideal for agricultural and industrial cladding. All products meet fire safety requirements (CE marking according to DIN EN 16153) and are certified under DIN EN ISO 9001 quality management standards.

Focus on sustainability

As an ISCC PLUS certified company, Exolon Group is committed to circular economy, resource conservation and CO₂ reduction. The ECORANGE product line includes transparent polycarbonate and polyester sheets with a high recycled content, offering outstanding optical clarity and technical performance. In addition, renewable raw materials are increasingly being used to replace fossil-based resources.

As part of the acquisition, the plastic sheet extrusion specialist Exolon Group will assume ownership of the assets, trademark rights, sales operations, and intellectual property – Including product and patent rights—associated with the AkyVer® brand.

The acquired product portfolio includes a variety of polycarbonate multiwall sheets (AkyVer® Sun Type), panel products (AkyVer® Panels), and sheet systems (AkyVer® Connect / Prime). Production of these items will be integrated into the manufacturing facility of Exolon Group S.p.A. in Nera Montoro, Italy.

This strategic acquisition enhances and complements the existing product range of Exolon Group, particularly in the construction sector. With this step, Exolon Group aims to further strengthen its position as a medium-sized, agile company distinguished by a strong customer focus and high operational flexibility.

For Corplex, the sale is in line with its strategic decision to focus on its core business: the extrusion of polypropylene sheets and their conversion into tailored applications that meet the evolving needs of its customers across logistics, industrial packaging, and reusable transport solutions.

Jan Willem Wieringa brings extensive international leadership experience in the plastics and manufacturing industries. He has successfully served in several CEO roles and is known for his strategic clarity, hands-on mentality, and strong focus on people and performance. These qualities make him an ideal fit for leading the Exolon Group – both professionally and culturally.

“We sincerely thank Jens Becker for his strong commitment and the successful development of the Exolon Group under his leadership. At the same time, we are delighted to welcome Jan Willem Wieringa as an experienced successor. We are confident that, together with our employees, he will lead the company into the next chapter of its journey,” the company stated.

With this appointment, the Exolon Group reaffirms its commitment to innovation, customer focus, and sustainable growth as a leading provider of high-quality plastic sheet solutions..

À travers des animations, des archives et des objets fascinants de toutes sortes, l’exposition offre des aperçus intéressants, parfois curieux et souvent critiques, sur l’histoire de la production et de l’utilisation des plastiques.

Pour le groupe Exolon, dont le siège se trouve à Tielt, à seulement 40 kilomètres, il était naturel de contribuer à une exposition « à deux pas de chez eux ». L’entreprise a fourni des plaques en différents matériaux, utilisées notamment dans le laboratoire interactif des plastiques. Les visiteurs peuvent y découvrir les propriétés et les multiples possibilités de transformation des plastiques. Par ailleurs, différents types de plaques en polycarbonate Exolon® illustrent la diversité des designs possibles en termes d’épaisseurs, de couleurs et de finitions de surface.

L’exposition temporaire au Musée de l’Industrie de Gand est ouverte jusqu’au 1er juin 2025 inclus. Elle retrace l’évolution du plastique, depuis ses précurseurs naturels et les premiers plastiques synthétiques au début du XXe siècle, en passant par la production de masse après la Seconde Guerre mondiale, jusqu’aux applications high-tech ingénieuses d’aujourd’hui. L’exposition met également en lumière des pionniers du plastique, tels que Leo Baekeland, inventeur du célèbre « Bakélite ». En parallèle, des témoignages vidéo montrent les impacts environnementaux mondiaux de la production de plastique, incitant à la réflexion.

Plus d’informations : https://www.industriemuseum.be/fr/evenements/plastic-fantastic