Cooper Standard’s Fortrex lightweight elastomeric technology wins award

Cooper Standard, the global supplier of systems and components for the automotive industry, has won the 2018 Automotive News PACE Award for its Fortrex lightweight elastomeric material, a new class of materials. According to  the company, when applied to automotive sealing applications, the unique chemistry of Fortrex offers reduced weight while delivering superior weatherseal performance and aesthetics.

The PACE (Premier Automotive Suppliers' Contribution to Excellence) Award – often referred to as the ‘Academy Award for Innovation’ in the automotive industry – was presented to Cooper Standard during the annual awards ceremony held on  April 9 in Detroit.

"This PACE Award recognition demonstrates the impact that material science can have on breakthrough innovation and is another milestone in Cooper Standard's mission of driving value through culture, innovation and results," said Jeffrey Edwards, chairman and CEO, Cooper Standard. "Our Fortrex technology is just one example of the many innovations our team is working on, and I look forward to sharing more of our game-changing innovations in the future."

Fortrex claims weight savings of up to 30% over EPDM
Cooper Standard says Fortrex offers weight savings of up to 30 percent versus traditional EPDM, while avoiding the compression set issues associated with TPV, resulting in superior sealing systems and reduced cabin noise. It does not weather or bloom like EPDM and can be accurately coloured-matched.

Fortrex is non-conductive and has a low carbon footprint across the entire material and production chain, surpassing TPV by 22 percent and EPDM by 53 percent. As a dynamic material platform, the material can be modified for an endless list of applications and performance solutions within automotive and adjacent markets.

Cooper Standard’s products include rubber and plastic sealing, fuel and brake lines, fluid transfer hoses and anti-vibration systems. The company employs approximately 32,000 people globally and operates in 20 countries around the world including India. 

Cooper Standard India makes rubber and plastic sealing products and has plants in Sanand, Bawal, Pune and Chennai. It has two joint ventures in India with the Sujan Group, Sujan Cooper Standard which makes anti-vibration products, and Polyrub Cooper Standard which makes fluid transfer systems.

Also read: Sujan Group unveils new product range, two-wheeler JVs set to kick off in mid-2018