Envalior received two distinctions at this year's Society of Plastics Engineers (SPE) Automotive Awards in Bonn, Germany. The company won the Grand Innovation Award for "Most Innovative Use of Plastics" and 1st Place in the "Enabler Technology" category. The recognition highlights work on lightweight, recyclable and high-performance thermoplastic and composite solutions for automotive applications.
The Grand Innovation Award acknowledges Envalior's contribution to the development of a lightweight roof cap for a premium German automotive convertible, manufactured by Röchling Automotive. The structural component addresses an area that was previously considered unsuitable for plastics. Developed through collaboration between Envalior, Röchling Automotive and the German automotive OEM, the part combines material expertise with advanced manufacturing to meet demanding safety and aesthetic requirements.
"The roof cap sets new standards in an area where plastics were previously unthinkable," said Dr. Klaus Vonberg, Sales & Project Manager for Tepex at Envalior. "We are proud to have received this award together with our partners and are convinced that lightweight, sustainable composite solutions will be an integral part of future automotive series."
The new roof cap is fully recyclable and aligns with the upcoming European Union End-of-Life Vehicle Regulation (ELVR), which sets ambitious recyclability and recoverability targets. "This lightweight component demonstrates the viability of our materials to replace metals in automotive, delivering excellent structural and mechanical properties while remaining fully recyclable, in line with future EU sustainability regulations," said Matthias Theunissen, Head of Application Development for Automotive at Envalior.
Lightweight, high-performance roof crossmember made with Durethan and Tepex materials, integrated at the front of the convertible’s fabric roof for strength and design flexibility.
Enabler technology: hybrid composite battery cover
Envalior's second award, 1st Place in "Enabler Technology", recognizes a collaborative project between Envalior, Sabic, Siebenwurst, Ensinger and Forward Engineering. The teams developed a hybrid composite battery cover intended to make EV battery housings lighter, safer and more cost-efficient to manufacture.
The design uses a sandwich architecture composed of two Tepex Dynalite PP glassfiber laminates and a flame-retardant, fiber-reinforced core. This configuration delivers low weight, improved heat management, enhanced safety and greater cost efficiency, supporting extended EV range and performance.
Innovation, collaboration and sustainability
The two awards illustrate how advanced thermoplastics and composite technologies can expand design options in automotive applications while meeting requirements for weight reduction, safety and circularity. "Winning these awards is not just about a project, it is about the spirit of innovation and teamwork that drives Envalior forward," said Sascha Bornemann, Global Tepex Business Manager at Envalior.
Hybrid composite battery cover developed by Envalior’s Tepex team in collaboration with SABIC, Siebenwurst, Ensinger, and Forward Engineering.
