The Grand Innovation Award recognizes Envalior’s contribution to the development of a lightweight roof cap for a premium German automotive convertible, manufactured by Röchling Automotive. once considered an area unsuitable for plastics, this high-spec structural component marks a milestone in sustainable automotive design.

The roof cap is a testament of true teamwork. Developed through close collaboration between Envalior, Röchling Automotive, and the German automotive OEM, the roof cap combines Envalior’s materials expertise with Röchling’s advanced manufacturing and the OEM’s demanding design requirements. The result is a lightweight, high-performance solution that meets stringent safety and aesthetic standards.

“The roof cap sets new standards in an area where plastics were previously unthinkable,” says Dr. Klaus Vonberg, Sales & Project Manager for the registered trademark Tepex at Envalior. “We are proud to have received this award together with our partners and are convinced that lightweight, sustainable composite solutions will be an integral part of future automotive series.”

The new roof cap is fully recyclable, aligning with upcoming European Union End-of-Life Vehicle Regulation (ELVR), which sets ambitious recyclability and recoverability targets for new vehicles.

“This lightweight component demonstrates the viability of our materials to replace metals in automotive—delivering excellent structural and mechanical properties while remaining fully recyclable, in line with future EU sustainability regulations,” explains Matthias Theunissen, Head of Application Development for Automotive at Envalior.

Enabling next-generation EV battery solutions

Envalior’s second award, 1st Place in “Enabler Technology” recognizes a collaborative project between Envalior, Sabic, Siebenwurst, Ensinger, and Forward Engineering. Together, the teams developed a hybrid composite battery cover designed to make EV battery housings lighter, safer, and more cost-efficient to manufacture.

The innovative design features a sandwich architecture composed of 2 Tepex Dynalite PP-glassfiber laminates and a flame-retardant, fiber-reinforced core. This configuration delivers low weight, improved heat management, enhanced safety, and greater cost efficiency, helping extend EV range and performance.

Innovation, collaboration, and sustainability

These dual awards showcase how advanced thermoplastics and composite technologies can redefine what’s possible in automotive design. Envalior demonstrated its strong commitment to innovation, collaboration, and sustainability—core values that drive its development of next-generation material solutions.

“Winning these awards is not just about a project—it’s about the spirit of innovation and teamwork that drives Envalior forward,” says Sascha Bornemann, Global Tepex (registered trademark) Business Manager at Envalior.

photo: Hybrid composite battery cover developed by Envalior’s Tepex team in collaboration with SABIC, Siebenwurst, Ensinger, and Forward Engineering. Image: Envalior