The Strategic Materials Innovation and Application Platform was officially launched at the 2026 Intelligent Electric Vehicle Development Forum. It was initiated by the China EV100 Innovation Hub together with nearly 30 companies from the automotive, components, and materials sectors.?KraussMaffei was invited as the only machinery and equipment company?to join the platform, alongside industry leaders such as Geely, BYD, Li Auto, PPG, and Covestro.

The new platform focuses on the deep integration of new materials and the automotive industry, building a full-chain synergistic innovation system covering vehicles, components, materials, technologies, standards, and the supply chain. Its inclusion reflects that the critical role of machinery and equipment manufacturers in the materials innovation ecosystem is being redefined.

As the platform’s sole?equipment provider, KraussMaffei will be deeply involved in key areas such as automotive lightweighting, next-generation power batteries, and future vehicle technologies. The company will provide essential equipment and process support across the entire value chain—from materials R&D and pilot validation to mass production and real-world applications.?It will also work with partners such as Teg High Material Group to advance research in thermoplastic, thermoset, and fiber-reinforced materials.

With its ColorForm and FiberForm technologies, KraussMaffei aims to help close the gap between laboratory innovation and industrial-scale production, accelerating the commercialization of new materials and supporting the upgrading of China’s automotive industry.