SABIC’s Innovative Plastics business today commended Ford Motor Company and PSA Peugeot Citroën Group for innovative use of the supplier’s thermoplastic materials in two separate applications, which were recently named finalists in the Automotive Division of the Society of Plastics Engineers’ (SPE’s) 42nd-annual Automotive Innovation Awards Competition. The first of these is the Ford Focus Electric’s high-voltage battery pack molded from SABIC’s NORYL GFN resin, which helps give the new electric vehicle extended driving range, greater battery capacity and lighter weight than traditional materials. The second application is the rear quarter window glazing for the Citroën DS5 hatchback. Molded from LEXAN GLX polycarbonate (PC) resin, the glazing enables an ambitious three-dimensional design and a 20 percent weight savings vs. glass. NORYL GFN and LEXAN GLX resins are two examples of SABIC’s continued commitment to help automotive customers cut vehicle weight for improved fuel economy, drive advancements in EV technology and have greater freedom to create world-class designs.
“It’s always an honor to see applications with our materials counted among the world’s most innovative automotive plastic solutions,” said V. Umamaheswaran (UV), director of marketing, Automotive, Innovative Plastics. “Seeing our customers’ applications once again in the field of finalists speaks to the level of innovation for which we strive. The two finalists also demonstrate how we are helping OEMs move the needle on weight reduction, while also delivering greater design flexibility to help automakers stay ahead of consumer preferences and business demands.”
The Ford Focus Electric’s battery pack is a finalist in the SPE competition's Powertrain category. The Citroen rear quarter window is a finalist in the Body Exterior category. The awards will be presented on November 7 at the SPE Automotive Innovation Awards Gala in Livonia, Michigan, USA.
