#USA #Northville #Cooper Standard #SPE Award #Coolant Hub

Cooper Standard's Plastic Coolant Hub Technology Wins SPE Award

Cooper Standard, a leading supplier in fluid handling systems and components, has been recognized as a winner of the 2024 Society of Plastics Engineers (SPE) Automotive Innovation Award in the powertrain category. The accolade was bestowed during the 53rd annual SPE Innovation Awards Competition and Gala held on November 13 in Livonia, Michigan.

Chris Couch, the president of Fluid Handling Systems and CTO of Cooper Standard, expressed the company's honor in receiving this award, stating that their plastic coolant hub is designed to meet the diverse needs of various vehicle applications, adaptable across all original equipment manufacturers (OEM) systems including Battery Electric Vehicles (BEV), Internal Combustion Engine (ICE), and hybrids. With production already underway, the company anticipates significant business growth through this innovative product.

Revolutionizing Fluid Handling

What sets Cooper Standard's plastic coolant hub apart is its innovative design that caters to the unique fluid handling requirements that automakers face. Traditional coolant systems typically consist of numerous separate tubes, connectors, and adaptors which complicate the assembly process. In contrast, Cooper Standard combines these multiple components into a singular, compact plastic manifold. This integrated design not only streamlines the assembly process but also enhances vehicle performance.

The coolant hub introduces a uniquely integrated pressure balancing feature, enhancing reliability and efficiency in fluid handling. This innovative approach offers significant benefits for vehicle manufacturers, including improved performance metrics, a reduction in packaging space necessary within vehicles, decreased labor requirements during assembly, and a step toward more sustainable manufacturing processes. The overall reduction in material use and waste positions Cooper Standard as a leader in environmental responsibility within the automotive industry.

Impact on Automotive Design

The efficiencies introduced by this plastic coolant hub technology are groundbreaking. By consolidating distinct coolant management components, the packaging space within vehicle designs has been dramatically reduced, which is critical as automotive design trends lean towards more compact and efficient forms. Moreover, the streamlined assembly translates into decreased manufacturing times which can save costs and resources across production lines.

The SPE Automotive Innovation Awards program stands as a benchmark for recognizing excellence in automotive plastics, making it a distinguished honor for Cooper Standard. Recognized by a jury comprising journalists, academics, and retired industry leaders, this award underscores the importance of innovation in the automotive sector, specifically regarding the usage of plastics.

About the SPE Innovation Awards

The SPE Automotive Innovation Awards are the oldest and largest competition of its kind globally. Each year, numerous teams comprising OEMs, tier suppliers, and polymer manufacturers submit entries outlining their innovative uses of plastics. This event typically attracts over 800 professionals from the automotive and plastic industries, as well as members of the media. Not only do these awards highlight advancements in plastics, but they also fund educational initiatives to further the understanding and development of plastics in automotive applications.

Future Developments

As Cooper Standard continues to innovate within the fluid handling domain, they remain committed to providing cutting-edge, environmentally responsible solutions to the automotive industry. With more than 22,000 team members across 21 countries, the company's future looks bright as they strive for continuous improvement in product development and community relations. This recognition not only solidifies Cooper Standard's role in automotive innovation but also positions them as a thought leader in the sustainable practices that will shape the industry’s future.

For more information on Cooper Standard and its innovative products, visit www.cooperstandard.com or connect via social media on LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram, or YouTube.