The Society of Plastics Engineers' Central Europe Automotive Division has recognized the groundbreaking work done by resin supplier Polyscope in the development of sunroof frames for medium- and low-volume vehicle platforms. At a presentation of the 15th SPE Central Europe Automotive Awards held in Düsseldorf prior to the K Show, third prize in the Body Exterior section went to a frame for the Citroën DS3 Cabrio injection molded in a Xiran glass-reinforced blend of styrene maleic anhydride (SMA) and ABS developed by Polyscope.

Sunroof frames molded from engineering plastics are successfully being used all over the world at major OEMs. Recent advancement in system design and materials innovation led to Polyscope's development of a solution for the Citroën DS3 Cabrio sunroof system based on the technical capabilities and cost benefits of SMA/ABS-GF, while at the same time adding even greater functionality and value-added features.

The process and results were detailed in a technical paper entitled "Integrated Semi-convertible Sunroof System in Glass-reinforced SMA/ABS Resin", by Henri-Paul Benichou, of Polyscope Polymers, and Jacques Vivien, of Tier I supplier Webasto SC Sunroof Systems, which was presented at the SPE EUROTEC 2013 conference in Lyon earlier this year. 

The SPE Central Europe Automotive Division said it gave the prize to Polyscope and the sunroof frame's co-developers after careful evaluation at the Plastics Centre in Leipzig of numerous parts competing in the category by a jury of industry experts. Jury members include professors from plastic institutes, experts for raw materials, operators from the automotive industry, experts for tool construction and parts producers, who evaluate part construction and design.

Patrick Muezers, Managing Director of Polyscope, said: "Weight reduction and extended functionality are two key drivers throughout the automotive industry, and as a long-term partner to the industry, Polyscope is pleased to be recognized for the significant work done in this critical area. New projects are under development in SMA-based materials with the goal to reduce even more weight, include even more functionality, and further reduce part count on sunroof systems."