10 Sept 2007
SABIC Innovative Plastics and General Motors’ Successful Collaboration Leads to Debuts of Opel Flextreme & Chevrolet Volt at 2007 Frankfurt Motor Show
High-Tech Polymer Materials Help Improve Fuel Economy, Safety and Design
At the 2007 Frankfurt Motor Show (IAA), SABIC Innovative Plastics (formerly GE Plastics) will celebrate the unveiling of the OPEL Flextreme and Chevrolet Volt concepts, illustrating lightweight polymer material innovations that complement the E-Flex architecture and showcase energy-saving transparent window glazings and lightweight body panel technologies.
SABIC Innovative Plastics worked with General Motors Europe to adapt leading-edge technologies used in the Volt for the OPEL Flextreme. In line with GM’s strategy to showcase environmentally compatible and consumer-focused mobility, SABIC Innovative Plastics’ eco-responsible materials significantly reduce part weight for better fuel economy while enhancing safety and expanding design freedom.
SABIC Innovative Plastics kicks off the Frankfurt Motor Show with participation in the 2007 GM Premiere Night at the Bockenheimer Depot, where the Opel Flextreme concept car will be debuted. SABIC Innovative Plastics will showcase its approach to energy conservation through a “Sharing our Futures” display of renewable materials: Valox iQ* resins for headlamps and connectors; Xenoy iQ* resins for body panels; and NextGen Lexan* GLX resins with Exatec* glazing systems for lightweight glazing.
“Building on our initial relationship with GM on the Volt, we are pleased to continue our collaboration with GM Europe Design in developing the key material concepts behind the Flextreme,” said Gregory A. Adams, Automotive Vice President, SABIC Innovative Plastics. “This exciting, environmentally progressive vehicle demonstrates the benefits of using lightweight, high-performance materials in creative ways. We are delighted to be part of the GM Premiere Night and the Frankfurt Motor Show featuring two exceptional concept vehicles built to showcase the breakthrough E-Flex architecture and our environmentally compatible materials.”
The GM Volt, also making an appearance at the Frankfurt show, is a prime example of how SABIC Innovative Plastics has supported GM in transferring knowledge from one type of vehicle and geography to others. SABIC Innovative Plastics helped with the design and development of the GM Volt by contributing materials technology that reduced part weight by up to 50 percent, and can help the world diversify its energy sources and reduce dependence on petroleum. This technology was the source of inspiration behind the material innovation on the OPEL Flextreme.
Anthony Lo, Advanced Design Director for GM Europe, said, “Our recent collaboration with SABIC Innovative Plastics on the GM Volt has continued with the Flextreme, and will gain strength as the company moves on to future projects. Together, we can create exciting designs and new energy-diverse technologies to benefit car owners and the environment.”
On the Sharing our Futures island, SABIC Innovative Plastics will display a number of next-generation materials that can enhance the environmental responsibility and performance of tomorrow’s vehicles. Lightweight Xenoy iQ* resins for large components such as fenders, doors and hoods, and Valox iQ materials for bezels, door handles and connectors address three critical environmental concerns: conserving energy, lowering greenhouse gas emissions, and upcycling or regenerating post-consumer waste such as polyethylene terephthalate (PET) plastic bottles. As a replacement for glass, transparent Lexan glazing offers significant weight savings and enables dramatic new designs while increasing occupant safety.
For photography, please visit www.gmeurope.info/frankfurt07//index.php. For more information, please visit the SABIC Innovative Plastics’ website at www.sabic-ip.com.
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Notes for editors
About SABIC
Saudi Basic Industries Corporation (SABIC) is the largest public company in the Middle East, ranked
by market capitalization (more than US$ 70 billion), and one of the world’s 10 largest petrochemicals manufacturers. The company is among the world’s market leaders in the production of polyethylene, polypropylene, glycols, methanol, MTBE and fertilizers as well as the fourth largest polymer producer.
SABIC’s profit rose to a record SR 19.2 billion (US$ 5.1 billion) in 2005, a 35% increase on 2004
and the company’s highest profit since inception. Sales revenues for 2005 totaled SR 78.3 billion
(US$ 20.8 billion), making SABIC the largest and most profitable public company in the Middle East.
SABIC operates six interlinked strategic business units: Basic Chemicals, Intermediates, Specialized Products, Polymers, Fertilizers and Metals. The company has significant research resources and has dedicated Research and Technology centers in Riyadh, Geleen in the Netherlands, Houston USA and Vadodara in India. SABIC has more than 17,000 employees worldwide.
SABIC has two large production sites in Saudi Arabia – in Al-Jubail and in Yanbu – comprising 18 world-scale complexes. Some of these complexes are operated with multi-national joint venture partners such as Exxon Mobil, Shell and Mitsubishi Chemicals. SABIC’s overall production capacity has increased from 35.4 million metric tons in 2001 to 46.7 million metric tons of production in 2005.
Headquartered in Riyadh, SABIC was founded in 1976 when the Saudi Arabian Government decided to use the hydrocarbon gases associated with its oil production as the principal feedstock for production of chemicals, polymers and fertilizers. The Saudi Arabian Government owns 70% of SABIC shares with the remaining 30% held by private investors in Saudi Arabia and other Gulf Cooperation Council countries.
SABIC Europe, headquartered in Sittard, the Netherlands, employs nearly 2,450 people and operates two petrochemical production sites in Geleen, the Netherlands and Gelsenkirchen in Germany for the production of polypropylenes, polyethylenes and liquid hydrocarbons. These are marketed by its European network of sales offices and logistical hubs. In 2005, SABIC Europe produced 2.5 million metric tons of polyolefins and 3.1 million metric tons of basic chemicals, mainly for the European market.
About SABIC Innovative Plastics
SABIC Innovative Plastics is a global supplier of plastic resins widely used in automotive, healthcare, consumer electronics, transportation, performance packaging, building and construction, telecommunications and optical media applications. The company manufactures and compounds polycarbonate, ABS, ASA, PPE, PC/ABS, PBT and PEI resins, as well as the LNP line of high-performance specialty compounds, under such well known brand names as Lexan*, Cycolac*, Geloy*, Noryl*, Cycoloy*, Valox* and Ultem*.
The Specialty Film and Sheet division of SABIC Innovative Plastics manufactures high-performance Lexan sheet and film products used in thousands of demanding applications worldwide. The dedicated automotive organization is an experienced, worldwide supplier, offering leading plastics solutions for five key automotive segments: body panels and glazing; under the hood applications; component; structures and interiors; and lighting.
* Trademarks of SABIC Innovative Plastics IP BV and its affiliates.
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