Materials and Technologies for More Sustainable Vehicles
On April 8, 2024, the expert jury thoroughly examined, discussed, and evaluated the submissions for the 22nd SPE Automotive Award. It was noted that many developments aim to make cars and motorcycles more sustainable. Both submitters and jury members are now eagerly awaiting the award ceremony at the Award Night, which will take place at the end of June at the Kameha Grand Bonn.
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.
The secret of which submissions will win the coveted Awards will be revealed on June 28, 2024, at the Award Night at the Kameha Grand Bonn, the unique hotel directly on the Rhine promenade. SPE Central Europe cordially invites all interested parties to experience the award ceremony. The registration form for the Award Gala can be found at entwicklung25.spe-ce.de/award-2024
Photo: © Klaus Fricke
