Cooper Standard’s FlushSeal™ System was recognized in the Body Exterior category.
NORTHVILLE, Mich.—Cooper Standard reported that it was recognized as a 2023 Society of Plastics Engineers (SPE) Automotive Innovation Award finalist for its FlushSeal™ System, found on several NIO models.
The innovation, recognized in the Body Exterior category, is one of 28 technologies named a finalist in the annual program that honors the best companies in automotive plastics, Cooper Standard said in a release.
Cooper Standard’s FlushSeal™ System offers a patented solution to enable flush glass—a growing trend associated with the shift to electric vehicles—while maintaining the performance of a traditional door, as well as the differentiated aesthetics and styling of a frameless door. The key enablers of the system are the rails and sliders, which are both composed of plastic-based materials.
According to Cooper Standard, the intimate cooperation of these two components is the critical design feature that makes the system superior to other systems on the market by allowing flexibility but also robust glass guidance.
“We are delighted that our FlushSeal™ System has been recognized as an SPE Auto Innovation Award finalist,” said Chris Couch, senior vice president and chief technology officer for Cooper Standard, in the release. “While there are other competitive solutions on the market, Cooper Standard’s FlushSeal™ System is the only one that truly addresses all the system requirements OEMs demand while offering differentiated aesthetics. This is why it is gaining increased popularity with customers and will be in production on six new battery electric vehicles by 2024.”