Cooper Standard Named 2018 Automotive News PACE Award Finalist for Fortrex™ Material

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Oct 19, 2017, 08:30 ET

NOVI, Mich., Oct. 19, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Cooper Standard (NYSE: CPS) today announced the Company was named as a finalist for the 2018 Automotive News PACE Awards for its Fortrex™ lightweight elastomeric material.

"It's an honor to be recognized by the industry for our accomplishments in material science innovation, a core competency to which we are deeply committed," said Keith D. Stephenson, executive vice president and COO, Cooper Standard. "The culture of collaboration and innovation that we have developed within Cooper Standard has resulted in significant technological achievements, including Fortrex™. This new class of material is providing game-changing advancements in weight reduction and enhanced performance in automotive sealing, an area that until now has not experienced a significant material innovation in decades."

The Fortrex™ material combines the best attributes of EPDM (ethylene propylene diene monomer) and TPV (thermoplastic vulcanizate) materials, which are typically used in sealing, while eliminating their negative aspects. Fortrex™ offers weight savings of up to 30 percent versus traditional EPDM, while avoiding the compression set issues associated with TPV, resulting in superior sealing systems and reduced cabin noise. It does not weather or bloom like EPDM and can be accurately color-matched. Fortrex™ is non-conductive and has a remarkably low carbon footprint across the entire material and production chain, less than TPV by 22 percent and EPDM by 53 percent. In addition, Fortrex™ is a dynamic material platform that can be modified for an endless list of applications and performance solutions within automotive and adjacent markets.

The 24^th annual PACE (Premier Automotive Suppliers' Contribution to Excellence) Awards honor supplier innovations that have entered the market and are delivering measurable customer benefits. The finalists, selected by an independent panel of judges, include new products and enhancements in autonomous drive controls, passenger comfort, electric-vehicle components, lightweight materials, display features, safety technologies and powertrain efficiency. In the coming months, the finalists will host PACE judges, who are experts from industry, academia and business, to further evaluate the innovations for creativity and market impact. Winners will be announced April 9, 2018.

About Cooper Standard
Cooper Standard, headquartered in Novi, Mich., is a leading global supplier of systems and components for the automotive industry. Products include rubber and plastic sealing, fuel and brake lines, fluid transfer hoses and anti-vibration systems. Cooper Standard employs approximately 30,000 people globally and operates in 20 countries around the world. For more information, please visit www.cooperstandard.com.

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