Envalior wins two SPE automotive awards for lightweighting innovations

• Envalior was recognized with the Grand Innovation Award and 1st Place in Enabler Technology at the Society of Plastics Engineers (SPE) Automotive Awards.
• The Grand Innovation award-winning roof cap design is a recyclable composite solution.
• The hybrid composite battery cover, which won 1st Place for Enabler Technology enables lighter, safer, and more efficient electric vehicle (EV) designs.

Düsseldorf, November 4, 2025 – Envalior has received two major awards at this year’s Society of Plastics Engineers (SPE) Automotive Awards in Bonn, Germany. The company earned the Grand Innovation Award for “Most Innovative Use of Plastics” and 1st Place in the “Enabler Technology” category, underscoring its leadership in sustainable, high-performance lightweighting solutions for the automotive industry.

The Grand Innovation Award recognizes Envalior’s contribution to the development of a lightweight roof cap for a premium German automotive convertible, manufactured by Röchling Automotive. Once considered an area unsuitable for plastics, this high-spec structural component marks a milestone in sustainable automotive design.

The roof cap is a testament of true teamwork. Developed through close collaboration between Envalior, Röchling Automotive, and the German automotive OEM, the roof cap combines Envalior’s materials expertise with Röchling’s advanced manufacturing and the OEM’s demanding design requirements. The result is a lightweight, high-performance solution that meets stringent safety and aesthetic standards.

“The roof cap sets new standards in an area where plastics were previously unthinkable,” says 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, aligning with upcoming European Union End-of-Life Vehicle Regulation (ELVR), which sets ambitious recyclability and recoverability targets for new vehicles.

“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,” explains Matthias Theunissen, Head of Application Development for Automotive at Envalior.

Enabling next-generation EV battery solutions

Envalior’s second award, 1st Place in “Enabler Technology” recognizes a collaborative project between Envalior, Sabic, Siebenwurst, Ensinger, and Forward Engineering. Together, the teams developed a hybrid composite battery cover designed to make EV battery housings lighter, safer, and more cost-efficient to manufacture.

The innovative design features 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, helping extend EV range and performance.

Innovation, collaboration, and sustainability

These dual awards showcase how advanced thermoplastics and composite technologies can redefine what’s possible in automotive design. Envalior demonstrated its strong commitment to innovation, collaboration, and sustainability—core values that drive its development of next-generation material solutions.

“Winning these awards is not just about a project—it’s about the spirit of innovation and teamwork that drives Envalior forward,” says Sascha Bornemann, Global Tepex® Business Manager at Envalior.

Detailed information on Envalior's materials can be found in Envalior's MaterialAdvisor, which provides digital tools and services that customers can use to find, select and evaluate materials.

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, PET, PA4T, PA410, and Thermoplastic Composites. Focus markets include Mobility, Electronics & Electrical, and Consumer Goods. For more information, visit www.envalior.com.