SPE jury meeting at the Grafe Design Center
on April 8, 2024 in Blankenhain
They had to evaluate 43 innovative components, these 36 experts from plastics technology and automotive engineering, from plastics institutes and specialist media. They met for the seventh time on April 8, 2024, at the Grafe Design Center in Blankenhain. After extensive discussion and many questions to the developers, each jury member made their individual assessment.
The fact that so many submissions were received despite the current difficult situation with wars in Ukraine and the Middle East, with numerous uncertainties and huge challenges, shows that the plastics industry has understood the signs of the times and is actively working to ensure that vehicles can be built and operated in a more climate-friendly way. As with the 2022 Award, many innovations this year are also based on more sustainable materials and technologies. Some components consist of up to 100 percent post-industrial and post-consumer recyclates. This shift towards circular material use has become more consistent compared to the 21st Award.
Many of the innovations concern details that require explanation. Therefore, most submitters accepted the offer and answered questions from the jury members. Some joined online, while others made the trip to Blankenhain and explained on-site what the plastics technology innovation in their component consists of. This information and the answers to sometimes critical questions helped the jurors to evaluate the submissions factually correctly and in a differentiated manner.
A heartfelt thank you is due to all jury members who diligently and attentively carried out the evaluation from morning until late afternoon. SPE Central Europe extends its sincere gratitude to the employees of the GRAFE Group for their hospitality and excellent preparation. Thanks also to the media technicians of the Comitec Group, who perfectly implemented the diverse technical requirements.
On the evening before, jury members and organisers met for the kick-off event, followed by a joint dinner at the Spa & GolfResort Weimarer Land, which all participants used for an in-depth exchange of ideas.
