IAC’s Lightweight Material Solution FiberFrameâ„¢ Named A 2017 Automotive News PACE Award Finalist

Leading automotive interiors supplier International Automotive Components’ (IAC) FiberFrame™ product innovation has been selected as a finalist in the 2017 Automotive News PACE (Premier Automotive Suppliers’ Contribution to Excellence) Awards program. The environmentally-sustainable and lightweight, natural fiber sunroof frame is among 33 finalists. The winners will be announced at the 2017 Automotive News PACE Awards on April 3, 2017, at the Max M. and Marjorie S. Fisher Music Theater in Detroit.

IAC’s FiberFrame™ replaces the sun roof’s metal reinforcement frame with a lighter alternative employing strong, natural fibers using a new raw material comprised of 70 percent renewable content – all while improving the frame’s structural rigidity. This unique lightweight solution is reinforced using IAC’s EcoMatHot natural fiber-based semi-finished mat material, which was especially developed for this application. The fiber mat is molded with a thermoset binder and is manufactured in-house by IAC in a hot molding process.

“This PACE recognition is another validation of IAC’s material expertise which provides OEM customers with significant weight savings solutions without compromising the structural integrity of the vehicle,” said IAC Vice President of Advanced Development and Materials Engineering Dr. Rose Ryntz. “Larger sun and panoramic roofs are popular across all vehicle sizes and segments. FiberFrame™ ensures a lower carbon footprint for vehicles with sun roof systems, while providing the strength and rigidity of the steel component it replaces.”

The Automotive News PACE Award honors suppliers’ innovations in products, information technology, manufacturing processes and capital equipment. Through April, IAC and other award finalists will host independent PACE judges (industry experts) onsite to evaluate innovations for originality and market impact. Award finalists are recognized around the world as the industry benchmark for innovation.

ABOUT IAC

International Automotive Components (IAC) is a leading global supplier of automotive components and systems, including interior and exterior trim. The company’s 2015 sales were $5.9 billion. Headquartered in Luxembourg, IAC Group operates approximately 80 manufacturing facilities in 20 countries. The company has more than 100 locations in 22 countries, including 28 design, technical and commercial centers, and employs more than 32,000 people globally. For more information, visit www.iacgroup.com