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Toyoda Gosei Unveils Japan’s First In-Mold Coating for Large Automotive Parts
New in-mold coating enables mass production of large painted exterior parts, achieving seamless finish, 60% CO₂ reduction, and enhanced durability.
www.toyoda-gosei.com
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Toyoda Gosei Co., Ltd. and Kansai Paint Co., Ltd. have jointly developed an in-mold coating technology that allows large plastic automotive parts to be formed and painted inside molds. In-mold coating is generally used on small products, but this is the first time in Japan 1 that the technology has become applicable to the mass production of large exterior parts, which have a much higher level of difficulty.
Key points in development
Toyoda Gosei Co., Ltd. and Kansai Paint Co., Ltd. have jointly developed an in-mold coating technology that allows large plastic automotive parts to be formed and painted inside molds. In-mold coating is generally used on small products, but this is the first time in Japan 1 that the technology has become applicable to the mass production of large exterior parts, which have a much higher level of difficulty.
Key points in development
- The new in-mold coating technology uses Toyoda Gosei's original mold technology for large parts 2 and paint material design technology based on collaboration between the two companies
(1) Application in the mass production of large exterior parts has been made possible for the first time in Japan
(2) A cohesive, seamless appearance (inconspicuous seam) is achieved with the high level of smoothness of the painted surface
This presents an elegant appearance and enables new molding designs
Large product using in-mold coating (trial product)
Other advantages
- Durability is improved with the use of urethane paint (abrasions during washing, etc. are less conspicuous)
- A drying furnace is no longer necessary, reducing CO 2 emissions during production (approx. 60% decrease)
Future outlook
- Large painted products using this technology are scheduled for market launch in spring of 2026.
- This technology will be spread to Toyoda Gosei's international production sites as a pillar of new and competitive decorative technologies
The two companies will continue to collaborate for the use of this technology on a wide range of products, contributing to the creation of attractive automobiles while also aiming to achieve CO 2 reductions
Smoothness of painted surface (comparison)
The higher level of smoothness with in-mold coating gives sharper reflections in the product surface
1 According to Toyoda Gosei, Kansai Paint survey as of September 30, 2025. This is the first time Toyoda Gosei has used in-mold painting.
2 Mold design and equipment control technology that supports production of front grilles and other large parts with complex shapes.
www.toyoda-gosei.com
