IAC Recognizes Student with Ecoblend Award for Outstanding Green Design at Ward's Auto Interiors Show

DEARBORN, Mich., May 19 /PRNewswire/ -- International Automotive Components (IAC)  today presented its Ecoblend Environmental Award to Jaymer Starbody for his outstanding design concept that stresses green mobility in the form of lightweight, renewable and recyclable materials used in a vehicle interior.  The first ever IAC Ecoblend Award winner was announced today during the Ward's Auto Interiors Conference student design competition celebration at the Ritz Carlton in Dearborn, Mich.    

"The Ecoblend Award, which rewards innovative design with a focus on lightweight, renewable and recyclable materials, truly epitomizes the technology IAC is working toward for automotive interiors," said Maurice Sessel, IAC vice president of product engineering.  "We congratulate all of the award nominees for their entries and appreciate their commitment to interior innovation through green design concepts.  IAC is committed to fostering new young talent and supporting future generations of designers that will contribute new ideas and innovations to the auto industry in the years to come."

Ecoblend Award winner Starbody is a student at the College for Creative Studies (CCS) in Detroit.  Starbody, who will receive an internship opportunity at IAC as a result of winning the award, was selected for his futuristic vision of the ultimate in environmental friendliness.  He combined elements of today's architectural, plant-covered "living walls" with a body design modeled after the structure of a lettuce leaf and inspired by a garden.  It also includes biodegradable plant-based resin, low-energy LED lighting, recyclable aluminum and soy-based foam for seats.  Additionally, the interior design is modular, allowing for ongoing upgrades to the interior.

Ecoblend is IAC's family of interior flooring and acoustics products manufactured from post industrial waste streams.  This green solution minimizes petroleum based products, reduces landfill and offers a cost advantage over conventional solutions.  

Nominees for the Ecoblend Award included a number of talented automotive design students from CCS in Detroit.  The award winner was hand selected by a judging panel that consisted of Tom Peters, executive director-performance cars and full-size trucks, General Motors Co.; Dan Vivian, director-engineering design, Hyundai-Kia Motors North America; and Jane Harrington-Durst, manager-color styling, PPG Automotive Coatings.

In addition to IAC's Ecoblend Award, Wards Automotive Group named Jason Ho the grand prize winner of its inaugural Auto Interiors Student Design Competition, which was sponsored by IAC.  

IAC's involvement with the student designer competition extends also to invitations to participating CCS classes to visit its Dearborn headquarters to see first-hand the lightweight renewable/recyclable materials the company offers to OEMs, as well as speak with representatives at IAC about design and innovative technologies for the auto industry using those materials.  

ABOUT INTERNATIONAL AUTOMOTIVE COMPONENTS GROUP

International Automotive Components Group (IAC) is a leading global supplier of automotive components and systems, including interior and exterior trim and structural and functional applications. IAC Group's 2009 sales revenue was approximately $3.2 billion. The company's North American sales were approximately $1.4 billion.  IAC operates more than 80 manufacturing facilities in 17 countries and employs approximately 23,000 people around the world.  For more information, visit www.iacgroup.com.    

SOURCE International Automotive Components