Fenders molded from Noryl GTX Resin win SPE 2009 Hall of Fame Award

19-Nov-09

SABIC Innovative Plastics’ tough, lightweight Noryl* GTX resin was recognized today for its key role in helping General Motors (GM) 1987 MY Buick® LeSabre® T-Type fenders win the coveted Hall of Fame Award from the Automotive Division of the Society of Plastics Engineers (SPE®). Presented to GM for the sports coupe fenders, the award is given annually to an iconic and innovative application that has been in continuous use for more than 15 years, delivered a value proposition that could not be met by traditional materials, and has been broadly adopted within the automotive or ground-transportation industries. The SPE Automotive Innovation Awards Competition is the oldest and largest recognition event in the automotive and plastics industries. The company’s Noryl GTX resin clearly meets SPE’s Hall of Fame qualifications. It is the first use of an engineering thermoplastic on a vertical body panel. “We’re honored to be recognized by SPE for the major contribution Noryl GTX resin has made to the global automotive industry,” said Gregory A. Adams, vice president, SABIC Innovative Plastics, Automotive. “For more than two decades Noryl GTX resin fenders have demonstrated the value of using strong, lightweight thermoplastics for all sorts of critical automotive applications. SABIC Innovative Plastics continues to dedicate our resources and expertise to new material innovations that can follow in the footsteps of Noryl GTX resin to drive the development of newer, better next-generation applications. This award means a great deal to us, clearly showcasing the company’s role as a top global supplier of advanced materials solutions.” Noryl GTX resin, which has been audited by environmental strategy firm GreenOrder, reduces automotive part weight resulting in better fuel economy and lower carbon dioxide emissions. It also expands design freedom for OEM designers to achieve shapes that are not possible or very difficult in metals, improves damage resistance, and lowers cost of repair. Designers and engineers are also able to meet stringent pedestrian protection norms by “designing in” energy absorbing features in new generation fenders made from Noryl GTX resin.