KEIGHLEY-based Viking has undertaken successful trials with a major UK car producer using a spray adhesive to improve the manufacturing process.

The firm is now supplying the spray adhesive to the household-name automotive customer which is switching from solvent-based to water-based adhesives.

The spray adhesive is being used to fix both vinyl and leather upholstery on door cassettes and attach fabric around rear wheel arches across the manufacturer’s model range.

Colin Bennett, Viking’s managing director, said: “As part of its ongoing duty of care commitment, the vehicle manufacturer contacted us direct to see if we could help them, as new, more stringent regulations facing the industry sector are increasing the pressure to reduce solvent use – and fire insurance rates are also increasing.

“Controlled spray patterns help minimise over-spray and reduce clean-up afterwards. The adhesive also dries faster without solvent odour, helping to improve worker comfort and, as a direct result, productivity.

“The manufacturer in question said it was pleased with the results of initial trials and we are now hoping to cement our working partnership with them, as well as strengthening our foothold across the UK automotive industry in general with this and other specialist 3M products.”