INDUSTRY NEWS
Axalta supports STEM initiatives through student racing
Company helps students to innovate and apply their skills in practical learning solutions
Axalta ( NYSE : AXTA ), a leading global supplier of liquid and powder coatings , is committed to encouraging and nurturing active participation in the science , technology , engineering and math ( STEM ) subjects as part of “ Axalta ’ s Bright Futures ” programme .
Yves Kerstens , President of Axalta in Europe , Middle East and Africa ( EMEA ), says , “ Student racing is one of the many ways Axalta helps students to transfer the knowledge and skills learned at university into real technical , scientific and engineering solutions that they can use in their careers .”
Axalta promotes STEM education initiatives by supporting student racing programmes at several universities across Europe , including :
Academic Motorsports Association of Zurich ( AMZ ), ETH Zurich , Switzerland – Formula Student
Formula Student is an internationally recognised motorsports competition specifically developed for students around the world . In 2010 , AMZ Racing – the first Swiss team in Formula Student – created by students of ETH Zurich , the city ’ s STEM university , moved to the eRacing series , which focuses on prototype electric-powered racing cars .
For the third consecutive year , Cromax ®, one of Axalta ’ s premium refinish brands , is not only providing technical support and supplying the coatings for the carbon-fibre reinforced plastic chassis , but also collaborating with the team to ensure the development of a prototype with optimal racing ability .
Agoria Solar Team , University of Leuven , Belgium – The Bridgestone World Solar Challenge
The Bridgestone World Solar Challenge is a biennial global competition to develop an effective , reliable solar vehicle that successfully completes a 3,021-kilometre race from Darwin to Adelaide , Australia , over the course of seven days .
Cromax has supported the Agoria Solar Team – the reigning World Champions in the Challenger Class – from the University of Leuven , Belgium , in this discipline since 2015 . The highly successful partnership sees Cromax develop special colours , supply the paint and guide students through the paint preparation and application steps at the brand ’ s regional European Training Centre in Mechelen , Belgium .
Wolfast Uniovi , University of Oviedo , Spain – MotoStudent
Since Axalta opened its site in Asturias , Spain , in 2002 , it has forged a close partnership with the University of Oviedo .
As well as supporting other initiatives , Axalta has worked for over six years with the university ’ s engineering team as it takes part in the MotoStudent International Competition – a global motorbike challenge between university student teams .
This is the first time , however , that Wolfast Uniovi has entered the MotoStudent Electric category . The team is in the process of designing , developing and manufacturing a motorbike prototype with a 100 % electric propulsion system , which will be ready for the next competition in 2021 . In addition to supplying the coatings , Axalta offers theoretical and practical preparation advice , technical support and facilitates training to help the team get the most out of the products used .
“ The long-standing relationships we have with these and other highly talented student teams affirm our commitment to STEM initiatives . Thanks to our passion for innovation and our extensive motorsport experience , these students not only get the opportunity to put their theoretical knowledge into valuable practice , but we also invest in and help to secure the next generation of talent for our industry ,” concludes Kerstens .
For more information on Axalta , please visit www . axalta . co . uk
14 OCTOBER 2020 read online : www . surfaceworld . com