IAC Awards College For Creative Studies Student With 2015 Ecoblend Award At WardsAuto Interiors Conference

SOUTHFIELD, MI -- May 13, 2015: International Automotive Components (IAC) Group, a leading automotive interior components supplier, presented its Ecoblend Environmental Award today to College for Creative Studies (CCS) design student Seung Joong Kim for his unique interior design concept. The winning concept was selected based on its new and innovative approach to pursing green mobility and utilization of renewable materials for vehicle interiors. This is the sixth consecutive year for the Ecoblend Award program, which IAC presented as part of the WardsAuto Interiors Conference student design competition held May 13 at Cobo Center, Detroit.

"The Ecoblend Environmental Award honors innovative design focusing on lightweight, renewable and recyclable materials," said Maurice Sessel, IAC senior vice president of engineering. "It truly epitomizes IAC's technology advancement strategy for the future of automotive interiors."

Chosen by a panel of independent judges, Seung Joong Kim's winning design featured a vehicle interior developed entirely from natural materials, leaving plastic completely out of the design.

"Congratulations to all of the 2015 nominees and their passion for interior innovation," said Sessel. "We are committed to supporting future generations of designers and encourage young minds to continue to provide advancements and ideas to the industry in the years to come."

Ecoblend is IAC's family of interior flooring and acoustics products manufactured from post-industrial waste streams, which also include 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.