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The Society of Plastics Engineers (SPE, Danbury, Conn., U.S.) Automotive Award in the “Body Exterior” category has been awarded to  (Niederalm, Austria) for the development of a hybrid composite brake protection solution. “With this innovation, we have proven that sustainability and performance are not mutually exclusive,” Stefan Czarnecki, director sales and business development at KTM Technologies, said during the award ceremony on Oct. 17 in Düsseldorf, Germany.

The Conexus technology’s coupling layer comprises a combination of thermoset and thermoplastic materials. “On the one hand, we achieve efficient use of materials, and on the other hand, the components can be sorted for recycling [through thermal separation of the materials]. The positive damping properties of flax fibers were exploited and, in combination with bio-based polyamide, a component for motorsport was realized,” Hans Lochner, team leader material and application at KTM Technologies, explains. 

The brake disc protection’s sustainable material pairing enables around 70% CO₂ saved compared to the series model. KTM Technologies says the technology platform is a component of the group’s sustainability process to evaluate potentials and enable sustainable product developments.

“We are delighted that our work has been awarded an important prize and congratulate the other winners. The field of nominees was a strong one with well-known companies such as BMW, Lucid and Magna,” Czarnecki adds. “We have successfully brought the technology into series production and are now ready to support our partners and other industries in implementing their products. The award is both recognition and incentive to continue working on sustainable product solutions.”