Outstanding Green Design Recognized by IAC Group With Ecoblend Award at Ward's Auto Interiors Conference

DEARBORN, MI--May 17, 2011: International Automotive Components (IAC) Group, a global tier one supplier, today presented its Ecoblend Environmental Award to Bozenka Shepherd for her outstanding design concept "the beauty of natural woods" that embraced green mobility and renewable materials in vehicle interiors.  This award signified the second year of the IAC Ecoblend Award winner during the Ward's Auto Interiors Conference student design competition celebration at the Henry Hotel 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 supporting future generations of designers and fostering new young talent that will provide new innovations and ideas to the industry in the years to come."

Shepherd showcased a unique interior concept using natural woods, vegan leather and ambient LED lighting to create visual sensations for drivers and passengers that are matched with heating and cooling functionality in the interior.  She also integrated individual climate zones and hands free technology into each individual seat, creating convenience for all occupants while traveling.  

Ecoblend is IAC's family of interior flooring and acoustics products manufactured from post industrial waste streams.  It also includes a variety of soft trim components and package trays.  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 Dan Vivian, director-engineering design, Hyundai-Kia Motors North America; Peter Davis, chief stylist, Tata Technologies; and Robert Gelardi, design manager, Mustang program, Ford Motor Company.  

In addition to IAC's Ecoblend Award, Wards Automotive Group named Haneif Katebi the grand prize winner of its Auto Interiors Student Design Competition, which was sponsored by IAC and Lear Corporation.

In addition to the awards program, IAC Director of Materials Engineering, Rose Ryntz, will moderate a panel discussion on "Designing Interiors for all Five Senses."  This session will examine how smells, sound and touch play a crucial role in customer satisfaction and establishing brand identity at the OEM level.    

ABOUT IAC GROUP

IAC Group is a leading global supplier of automotive components and systems, including interior and exterior trim.  IAC Group's estimated 2010 sales were $3.7 billion. IAC operates 75 manufacturing facilities in 16 countries.  The company employs approximately 22,000 people around the world.  IAC is headquartered in Luxembourg.  For more information, visit IAC Group .