Cooper Standard seals Renault demo car with low-carbon tech

Northville, Michigan – Cooper Standard has supplied two of its lightweight sealing systems for Renault Group’s Embleme demo car, part of an initiative aimed at reducing CO2 emissions across the vehicle lifecycle.

The US-based supplier provided its FlexiCore thermoplastic body seal and FlushSeal window sealing system for the “groundbreaking” project, which moves away from conventional rubber-plus-metal construction.

The FlexiCore seal replaces traditional metal-backed rubber components with a “100% thermoplastic solution,” Cooper Standard said 17 July.

The switch, it added, enables lighter vehicle architecture and lower emissions during production. The seal is also fully recyclable.

“This is a significant shift in both material efficiency and environmental impact,” said Patrick Clark, Cooper Standard’s president of sealing systems and chief manufacturing officer.

The Embleme car also features Cooper Standard’s FlushSeal system, a lightweight sealing technology originally launched in 2019 with Renault. It includes "aerodynamic window guidance" and supports flush glass styling.

The project is the first time Cooper Standard has validated the use of “a fully coloured visible surface” on an automotive door seal using its FlexiCore body seal.

According to the US supplier, this opens new doors for aesthetic customisation in vehicle interiors, enhancing brand differentiation and design flexibility for car makers.

In addition, Cooper Standard said its FlushSeal sealing system enables the styling trend known as “flush glass” or “flush glazing.”