Automotive suppliers join efforts and introduce sustainable concept car at the North American International Auto Show
Detroit, Michigan, USA (January 7, 2015) — Addressing the increasingly important issue of environmental sustainability in the automotive industry, Unique Fabricating Inc., Emery Oleochemicals, FXI Inc., and LINE-X are excited to announce advancements in innovative polyurethane products through an initiative that is aimed at raising the bar in environmental sustainability stewardship for the automotive industry. Combining years of manufacturing knowledge, technical expertise, market insights and a drive for innovation, the partnership targets to the goal of reducing foam waste headed for landfills by providing production alternatives through a closed loop processing initiative.
Making its debut at this year’s North American International Auto Show in Detroit, Michigan, the Concept Car, project named CASP (“Concepts for Advanced Sustainability in Polyurethanes”) will feature automotive components and materials made from both renewable and recycled polyurethane foam. Representing a non-exclusive partnership formed between Unique Fabricating, Inc., Emery Oleochemicals, FXI Inc., and LINE-X; CASP will demonstrate opportunities for the automotive industry to meet its performance and sustainability goals with recycle content polyol solutions that are suited for various automotive foam applications.
This distinctive initiative includes a technology in which recovered foam scrap materials were chemically processed, turned into recycled polyol and subsequently used in the production of polyurethane foams demonstrated in CASP. All polyurethane foams applied in the making of this concept car were produced using Emery Oleochemicals’ proprietary polyol technologies that result in an innovative solutions portfolio of renewable and recyclable polyol chemicals offered through the widely recognized EMEROX® Renewable Polyol and INFIGREEN® Recycled Content Polyol product lines. Designed to meet Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) specifications, the EMEROX® Renewable Polyols are made from bio-based resources and deliver on both performance and cost, while the INFIGREEN® Recycled Polyols are made from recycled polyurethane scrap foam.
As the exhibitor hosting CASP, Unique Fabricating, Inc., will showcase its product portfolio in the automotive fabrication of the non-metallic materials including a variety of polyurethane foam parts featured on the concept car. All of Unique Fabricating’s PU foam offal is shipped to Emery Oleochemicals to be converted into new polyols, enabling a closed loop process to take place which reinforces zero waste to landfills.
FXI Inc. has established a process to utilize Emery Oleochemicals’ recycled polyols in its formulations on components that Unique Fabricating has featured on the CASP car. These include parts such as seat topper pads, and various foam seals and gaskets. Additionally, FXI can incorporate recycled content polyols on seat upholstery foam laminates.
In this joint initiative, LINE-X developed new coatings that feature recycled content incorporating Emery Oleochemicals’ sustainable EMEROX® and INFIGREEN® bio-polyols.
The Concept Car was styled and built by Advanced Automotive Technologies (AAT) in Rochester Hills, Michigan.
The Concept Car will be displayed in the main concourse of Cobo Hall of Detroit’s Cobo Center, from January 12-25.
About the North American International Auto Show
Now in its 27th year as an international event, the NAIAS is among the most prestigious auto shows in the world, providing unparalleled access to the automotive products, people and ideas that matter most — up close and in one place. Administered by Executive Director Rod Alberts, the NAIAS is one of the largest media events in North America, and the only auto show in the United States to earn an annual distinguished sanction of the Organisation Internationale des Constructeurs d'Automobiles, the Paris-based alliance of automotive trade associations and manufacturers from around the world.
For further information about NAIAS, visit www.naias.com.
For further enquiries, please contact:
Unique Fabricating:
Mr. Brad Hazen
VP, New Product Development
T: +1 (248) 497-3268
E: [email protected]
Emery Oleochemicals:
Mr. Ruj Purnariksha
Director, Corporate Communications
T: +603 7844 9397
E: [email protected]
FXI:
Mr. Doug Karp
Senior Director of Marketing
T: +1 (610) 744-2142
E: [email protected]
LINE-X LLC:
Terry Pe
VP, Product Development
T: +1 (256) 713-4283
E: [email protected]
ADVANCED AUTOMOTIVE TECHNOLOGIES:
www.aatcars.com
Mr. Jerry Winslow
Director, of Sustainable Materials
T: +1 (248) 404-7071
E: [email protected]
Ms. Suchithra Krishnan
Senior Manager, Corporate Communications
T: +603 7844 9352
E: [email protected]
Mr. Ron Smolinski
Director, Automotive New Business
T: +1 (248) 553-1015
E: [email protected]
Cristin Liveoak
PR Manager
T: +1 (256) 713-4265
E: [email protected]