The Society of Plastics Engineers recently recognized the bright film material embodied in Hendrickson Aero Bright products with an environmental stewardship award.

Hendrickson works with Soliant LLC of Lancaster, S.C., to bring the trucking industry HAB mirror-finish bumpers, visors, grille surrounds and bezels, lightweight components with a chrome-like finish and dent and corrosion resistance.

Soliant garnered the Global Plastics Environmental Conference 2008 Achievement Award for "Emerging Technologies in Materials, Processes and Applications" with its Fluorex bright film. The company also met all GPEC award criteria for "Sustainability and Recycling for a Greener Environment."

The Plastics Environmental Division of SPE presented the awards at the March GPEC conference in Orlando, Fla.

Used in a variety of plastic substrates to provide a chrome finish comparable to chrome plating, Soliant markets Fluorex as a material offering very low emissions, excellent impact performance and full recyclability.

Compared to chrome plating, Fluorex bright film significantly reduces the amount of volatile organic compounds and in addition improves air quality, requires less energy and water, according to Soliant.

"Hendrickson Aero Bright plays a double role in bringing a greener alternative to the heavy duty trucking industry," says Jeff Zawacki, general manager of Hendrickson Bumper and Trim. "Weight reduction remains a vital element for fleets and owner-operators trying to reduce fuel consumption, and this technology delivers a cleaner alternative to hexavalent chrome plating."

More info: www.hendrickson-intl.com