Apr 6 2009
SABIC Innovative Plastics has been honored with a 2009 Green Dot Award in Transportation for its pioneering work on the Hyundai QarmaQ Advanced Technology Demonstration Vehicle (ATDV). The company won second prize in the annual award program, which recognizes the products and services of environmentally responsible organizations. SABIC Innovative Plastics, which co-developed the QarmaQ with Hyundai Motor Company, incorporated next-generation composites and thermoplastics from its broad product portfolio throughout the vehicle to reduce weight and greenhouse gas emissions.
The use of these materials in glazing, interior components, the Elastic Front* pedestrian safety system, fenders and hood led to weight reductions of up to 60 kg vs. traditional materials. According to an audit by GreenOrder, an environmental strategy firm based in New York, N.Y., this means the QarmaQ would require about 80 fewer liters of diesel per year, and would cut annual greenhouse gas emissions by more than 200 kg.
“It is a great honor to receive the prestigious Green Dot Award for our work in the creation of the Hyundai QarmaQ,” said John Madej, general manager, Product and Marketing for Automotive, at SABIC Innovative Plastics. “SABIC Innovative Plastics is deeply involved in developing and applying greener solutions to enable new vehicles with reduced environmental impact. We believe there are many opportunities to leverage high-performance plastics in different areas of automotive design, and we stand ready to supply the materials expertise that can make these a reality. Our greatest satisfaction comes from working side by side with customers as long-term partners to help them achieve success.”
The QarmaQ showcases the significant environmental advantages of using high-performance plastics. For example, Xenoy iQ* and Valox iQ* resin composites from SABIC Innovative Plastics are derived from up to 65 percent post-consumer plastic waste. The materials are used on key parts of the vehicle and helped divert plastic bottles from potential landfilling. Paint-free solutions used for the vehicle’s interior help to reduce volatile emissions given off during traditional painting operations. SABIC Innovative Plastics’ Flexible Noryl* resin enables thinner wire and cable coatings that help reduce vehicle weight and allow more electronics in the same space.
Designed at Hyundai Motor Europe's Design and Technical Center in Rüsselsheim, Germany and engineered in close cooperation with SABIC Innovative Plastics, the QarmaQ validated more than 30 key technologies that can help automakers achieve their emerging goals.
Founded in 2006 by Farmani Group, the annual Green Dot Awards are juried by a panel of experts. Winners were selected from thousands of entries from more than 25 countries. The Winners in each category are showcased in the full color Green Dot Awards book, made of recyclable materials. The book is distributed to bookstores around the world.