Rheinmetall wins first order for new coolant valves from US carmaker

Düsseldorf-based Rheinmetall Group's automotive unit has received its first OEM order for a new generation of coolant valves.

Placed by a major American carmaker and destined for the NAFTA market, the order has a lifetime value of over US$25m. Series production by affiliate Pierburg is scheduled to start in 2019 with the contract expected to run for about five years.

According to the supplier, the valves are part of intelligent engine thermal and energy management. Engines can have several cooling circuits which are controllable with the aid of switching seat valves. As from model year 2020, this particular customer will be installing several versions of such valves on petrol and diesel engines over six litres for pickup trucks. They will operate in the transmission cooling circuit so it reaches operating temperature faster by switching off coolant flow when the engine is started. This also helps to reduce emissions.

Rheinmetall Automotive developed new valves to switch coolant circuits on or off. The aim is to cool components according to need or heat others when the engine starts with the objective of reducing friction as well as CO2 emissions.