Envalior, General Motors, and Schaeffler win 2025 SPE Innovation Award in the powertrain category for thin wall ETC actuator gears

• Collaboration recognized for breakthrough Stanyl® PA46 thin wall actuator gear design enabling electronic throttle control to have 30% weight reduction and cost savings in two of GM’s compact SUVs while enhancing stiffness, wear resistance, and packaging efficiency.
• The award recognizes the team’s innovative material engineering and cross-industry collaboration in advancing lightweight, high-performance powertrain components.

Livonia, Michigan, December 9, 2025 – Envalior, together with General Motors and Schaeffler AG, has been honored with a 2025 Innovation Award in the Powertrain Category from the Society of Plastics Engineers (SPE®), Automotive Division, for a thin wall ETC actuator gear that delivers exceptional wear resistance, durability and efficiency, while achieving weight, cost and space savings.

The award was presented to the collaboration team on Nov. 5, 2025, during the 54th Annual Automotive Innovation Awards Competition & Gala held at the Laurel Manor in Livonia, Michigan, USA.

Leveraging Stanyl® PA46, Envalior’s high-performance polyamide material, the team successfully developed a thin yet robust actuator gear wall for an electronic throttle control application. The innovative mid-gear design ensures precise pedal-to-throttle response and excellent impact absorption, virtually eliminating tooth breakage.

“This initiative brought together a team of experts from every discipline, and the collaboration was exceptional,” said Tony Padden, Envalior Stanyl® Technical Application Manager NA. “We overcame challenges, met ambitious targets, and delivered a solution that set a new industry benchmark. I’m proud to have been part of such a rare and successful effort."

By combining high-flow W&F-optimized Stanyl® PA46 and 50% or 60% glass fiber reinforcement, followed by post-mold heat treatment, the team achieved precise gear geometry and optimized mechanical gear performance.

The resulting thin wall actuator gear design delivers:

• 30% higher stiffness
• 20% increased wear resistance

Enabling the electronic throttle control design to provide when compared to a conventional 1.5 mm-thick actuator gear wall:

• 30% weight reduction
• 20% cost reduction
• 20% space reduction

This award-winning application is featured in two of GM’s 2025 model year compact SUVs, with Envalior as the material supplier and Schaeffler AG serving as the system supplier and material processor.

“This project exemplifies the power of collaboration and innovation across the value chain,” said Jose Chirino, Envalior Technical Director - Americas. “Together with GM and Schaeffler, we’ve advanced what’s possible in precision powertrain components by combining lightweight design with exceptional mechanical performance and reliability.”

About the SPE Automotive Innovation Awards

SPE’s Automotive Innovation Awards Program is the oldest and largest competition of its kind in the world. Dozens of teams made up of OEMs, tier suppliers, and polymer producers submit nominations describing their part, system, or complete vehicle and why it merits the claim as the Year’s Most Innovative Use of Plastics. The annual event typically draws approximately 600 OEM engineers, automotive and plastics industry executives, and media. Funds raised from the event are used to support SPE educational programs including technical seminars and conferences, which help to educate and secure the role of plastics in the advancement of the automobile. For more information about the SPE Automotive Div., see https://speautomotive.com/. For more information on the Society of Plastics Engineers, see www.4spe.org.

About Envalior

Envalior is a global leader in Engineering Materials with over 4,000 employees worldwide. It was established in 2023 through the merger of Lanxess Performance Materials and DSM Engineering Materials. With a long track record of customer-driven innovation, Envalior specializes in developing Sustainable and High-Performance Engineering Materials, including PA6, PA66, PBT, PA46, PPS, TPC (TPE-E), PET, PA4T, PA410, and Thermoplastic Composites. Focus markets include Mobility, Electronics & Electrical, and Consumer Goods. For more information, visit www.envalior.com.