BASF, General Motors and Sun Microstamping win SPE Automotive Innovation Award for the interconnect board on the 2024 Chevrolet Corvette E-Ray

WYANDOTTE, MI, November 9, 2023 – BASF, General Motors and Sun Microstamping have won the Society of Plastics Engineers (SPE) Automotive Innovation Award in the category of aftermarket and limited edition specialty vehicles for the hybrid battery interconnect board (ICB) in the 2024 Chevrolet Corvette E-Ray model. The design optimization of the ICB in the Chevrolet Corvette E-Ray, the first electrified Corvette in history, incorporates cell sense lines and bussing into one component, where the molded frame of the ICB acts as a manufacturing aid for installation and provides electrical isolation between internal and surrounding metal components.

“Being able to reduce multiple assembly methods down to one is a huge win for GM,” said Nick Compton, Technical Specialist, Global Battery and Composites, General Motors. “Overmolding the ICB reduces the proliferation of components, making installation at the plant easier.”   

This ICB design, injection molded and welded by Sun Microstamping Technologies, utilizes a BASF Ultramid^® non-halogenated, fire-retardant polyamide grade. This twenty percent glass-fiber reinforced polyamide grade allows for multiple assembly methods, such as heat staking, welding, snap fitting and adhesive bonding.

“Close collaboration with GM technical engineers and their familiarity with BASF materials made this project successful,” said Brooke Clark, Engineering Manager, Sun Microstamping Technologies.

Collaboration and innovation throughout a project have massive potential for the automotive space. Having a broad portfolio of materials with diverse properties that enable future designs will help make electrified vehicles a reality for everyone.  

“At BASF, we know close relationships with our customers and their customers are critical for successful automotive projects,” said Hadwan Hadwan, eMobility Business Development Manager, Performance Materials, BASF Corporation. “With our robust material portfolio that meets the needs of the automotive market today, we will continue to develop this portfolio and deliver innovative solutions for electrified vehicles.”

Ultramid is a registered trademark of BASF SE

Corvette and Chevrolet are trademarks of General Motors

About BASF

BASF Corporation, headquartered in Florham Park, New Jersey, is the North American affiliate of BASF SE, Ludwigshafen, Germany. BASF has approximately 16,000 employees in North America and had sales of $25.7 billion in 2022. For more information about BASF’s North American operations, visit www.basf.com/us.

At BASF, we create chemistry for a sustainable future. We combine economic success with environmental protection and social responsibility. More than 111,000 employees in the BASF Group contribute to the success of our customers in nearly all sectors and almost every country in the world. Our portfolio comprises six segments: Chemicals, Materials, Industrial Solutions, Surface Technologies, Nutrition & Care and Agricultural Solutions. BASF generated sales of €87.3 billion in 2022. BASF shares are traded on the stock exchange in Frankfurt (BAS) and as American Depositary Receipts (BASFY) in the United States. Further information at www.basf.com.