ENGEL received four gold awards at the SPE Automotive Awards – from sustainable lightweight designs and highly integrated functional parts to innovative process technologies – demonstrating the company’s technological depth and solution expertise.

The four gold awards are in the categories “Electronical / Optical Part”, “Body Interior”, “Enabler Technology” and the prestigious “Grand Innovation Award”.

Team from ENGEL and its project partners accepted the awards in Bonn, Germany.

Gold award in “Electronical / Optical Part”: Lighting and functional decorative part by fully automated 3K injection molding process with IML

A lighting and functional decorative part for the BMW X3, manufactured by Yanfeng, received the gold award.

Decorative and functional part for the BMW X3 combines matte chrome film with a PUR surface, made with highly automated 3K processes.

The component is produced in a fully automated 3K injection molding process with in-mold labelling. It features a translucent matte chrome film with a 3D depth effect and a self-healing PUR surface. The emission-free, paint-free and plating-free process is ideally suited for production sites with strict environmental regulations.

The key challenge lies in the reliable integration of multiple materials and the sensitive decorative film into a highly automated series production process.

Gold award in “Body Interior”: Foamed airbag cover with fully recyclable TPE-O monomaterial

A foamed airbag cover used by various OEMs won the award. This application combines outstanding surface quality with a 45% reduction in CO₂ emissions. The part is made from a fully recyclable TPE-O monomaterial that actively supports the circular economy.

Foamed TPE-O airbag cover.

The main challenge lies in achieving a flawless surface despite the foaming process. This is achieved with precise process control on the ENGEL system.

Gold award in “Enabler Technology”: Thermoplastic battery housing system

A next-generation thermoplastic battery housing system, specially developed for use in high-voltage applications, received the gold award in “Enabler Technology” category.

Thermoplastic battery housing for high-voltage applications.

This innovation delivers a 43% CO₂ reduction over its entire lifecycle while meeting the highest standards for safety and mechanical strength. With this project, ENGEL showcases its system expertise in sustainable mobility solutions, paving the way for lighter, more efficient electric vehicles.

Grand Innovation Award: Thermoplastic convertible top cover by ENGEL organomelt process

The “Grand Innovation Award” went to a thermoplastic convertible top cover produced using the ENGEL organomelt process for the Mercedes-Benz CLE Cabriolet.

Thermoplastic convertible top cover made with organomelt process.

This process combines heating and forming of organic sheets with subsequent injection molding in a single production cell. This results in a fully recyclable lightweight solution that is 15% lighter and has a lower overall height than the previous metal version.

The technically demanding combination of two processes highlights ENGEL’s system expertise, enabling customers to produce highly innovative and sustainable lightweight components in series production.