Oribi Unveils 50% Lighter Thermoplastic UTV Wheels

Oribi Composites has announced the world’s first high‑performance off‑road UTV wheels crafted from advanced thermoplastic composites. The new rims are 50 % lighter than their aluminum counterparts while delivering the same strength and toughness required for the toughest terrains.

“Our proprietary thermoplastic material is a unidirectional, continuous fiber‑reinforced matrix, produced through an automated Spin process that builds on our foundational 3D Form technology,” explained Matt Christensen, VP of Business Development – Wheels. “This approach yields premium rims at a competitive cost while maintaining the rigorous durability standards of off‑road use.”

Oribi Spin represents the industry’s first production method for circular, continuous‑fiber composite structures. The process marries robotics, high‑speed thermo‑forming, and automation, enabling the rapid creation of fully consolidated, trimmed components in under two minutes—without touch‑labour. The result is scalable, cost‑effective manufacturing of wheels, seals, gaskets, and other circular parts.

The underlying 3D Form platform leverages the inherent processability of thermoplastics, allowing high‑volume production of complex structural components at a lower cost. Oribi’s enhancements—high‑speed tailored lay‑up, precise heating, and robotic forming—further streamline the workflow.

“Packard Performance has been a highly collaborative partner throughout this development,” said Christensen. “Thermoplastic composites solve the limitations of traditional thermoset epoxies—they’re tougher, faster to process, and recyclable. With this technology, Packard can offer a lightweight wheel that still meets the durability demands of demanding off‑road applications.”

Jace Packard, CEO of Packard Performance, added: “The new composite wheels let us shed an average of 25 lb of unsprung weight per vehicle, which translates into faster acceleration, sharper handling, and overall improved performance—whether in everyday driving or on the track.”