Celanese and International Paper Win Environment Award

Posted By: Hamid Moarefon: Sunday, November 18, 2018In: Parts

Celanese Corporation and International Paper have bagged the Environmental Award for Sustainable Materials in Automotive. The two companies collaborated on the development of sustainable thermoplastics for an application in the 2018 Lincoln Continental luxury sedan.

The Society of Plastics Engineers (SPE) in Automotive recognized the contribution made by both companies and honored them as the best companies in automotive plastics.

The award was given to the representatives of Celanese, International Paper, Ford (which owns the Lincoln brand) and Summit Polymers (the Tier 1 supplier and toolmaker) at the 2018 SPE Automotive Innovation Awards Gala which was held in Livonia, Michigan on November 7. This is the oldest and largest competition of its kind in the automotive and plastics industries. Celanese was also a finalist in the Body Exterior and Body Interior categories for its contributions in the projects.

Through the use of composites which combined the cellulose fiber from trees with long-glass fiber in a polypropylene matrix, the two companies managed to reduce weight by up to 25 percent per part and thus save costs as well.

Verghese Thomas, Celanese’s Chief Technology & Innovation Officer, said that the innovative solution they developed will make it possible for automakers to significantly reduce emissions through improvements in material production and light-weighting. He said that the company would continue to work with Ford to meet their sustainability goals.

Russell Anawalt, Vice President, Sales and Marketing, Global Cellulose Fibers said that International Paper specializes in creating innovative, sustainable and recyclable products which can help their customers achieve their objectives. He said that International Paper’s collaboration with Ford and Celanese made it possible for Ford to make lighter-weight parts. Ford used International Paper’s THRIVE composite to meet all of their specifications and requirements while receiving additional environmental and cost benefits.

Hamid Moaref

Hamid Moaref has always been fascinated by cars and the automotive industry. His family has a longstanding association with the industry and has been in the tire business for the past 35 years. Raised in Dubai, Hamid attended Capilano University in Vancouver where he graduated with a BBA in marketing before attending an intensive course in magazine publishing in 2005. He has been the publisher and chief editor of Tires & Parts magazine for the past ten years.