Since its inception a decade ago, the Enlighten Award has showcased some of the industry’s finest innovations that reduce weight, minimize waste, and drive sustainability and reuse initiatives. The Enlighten Award is coveted by the world’s foremost manufacturers and boundary-pushing new startups alike – all determined in their goal to give rise to the future of vehicle lightweighting technology. Below you can explore and hear testimonials from past participants, runners-up, and winners in the most recent award ceremonies.
2022 Enlighten Award
In 2022, the Enlighten Award celebrated the greatest sustainability and lightweighting advancements that successfully reduce carbon footprint, mitigate water and energy consumption, and leverage material reuse and recycling efforts.
Winner: McMaster University and Nemak
NemAlloy™, Novel Lightweight Automotive Aluminum Alloys
Runner Up: Adient Design & Technology
UltraThin Seating
Runner Up: Yanfeng International
Instrument Panel and Passenger Air Bag (IP PAB) Integration
Honorable Mention: csi entwicklungstechnik GmbH, AMC, BMW M, DITF
NaMiKo Biobased Automotive Center Console
Future of Lightweighting
Winner: American Axle & Manufacturing
Runner Up: Shiloh Industries
Lightweighting Enabling Technology
Winner: ArcelorMittal
Runner Up: JAC Group
Module Lightweighting
Winner: Stellantis, BASF, L&L Products
Runner Up: Rassini Suspensions
Sustainable Process
Winner: Faurecia
Runner Up: Henkel, Nihon Parkerizing
Sustainable Product
Winner (Component): Magna International
Winner (Vehicle): Ford Motor Company
Runner Up: SAIC GM Wuling Automovile Co., Ltd.
Full Vehicle
High Volume Winner: FCA US LLC
Low Volume Winner: Ferrari
Future of Lightweighting
Winner: Alba Tooling & Engineering, CSI Entwicklungstechnik, Automotive Management Consulting GmbH
Lightweighting Enabling Technology
Winner: Material Sciences Corporation
Runner-up: DSM Engineering Plastics, General Motors, Cikautox Group, HENN GmbH & Co KG
Module
Winner: ZF
Runner-up: Continental Structural Plastics and General Motors
Three Enlighten Award winners share their journey of innovation to develop award-winning technology solutions that have significantly advanced lightweighting for vehicles. The webinar highlights the success of the Altair Enlighten Award in elevating initiatives to advance vehicle lightweighting. The panel of speakers discusses how technology advancements have advanced the impetus for vehicle lightweighting and its importance as it supports organizational sustainability goals and the automotive industry overall.
Toyota won the module category of the 2017 Altair Enlighten Award for its carbon fiber reinforced plastic closure panels used on the 2017 Prius Prime liftgate and the 2017 Lexus LC side and luggage doors. JP Flaharty, Executive Program Manager at Toyota North America, shares his thoughts on winning the award and walks us through the development of the pieces.
John Viera, Global Director, Sustainability and Vehicle Environmental Matters at Ford Motor Company, gives his thoughts on the relationship with Altair and its importance as the company continues to drive down vehicle weight.
Cadillac’s entry was one of twenty-one finalists that competed for the awards, winning its category for its strategic approach to weight reduction. Simulation methodologies including topology and multi-disciplinary optimization studies were used extensively throughout the vehicle’s development to ensure an efficient use of material. In addition, an innovative use of mixed materials were employed across the CT6 to further minimize weight without compromise to performance.
Want to dive deeper into a specific winning entry? Email [email protected] for detailed information.