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9th Annual Materials Innovation Summit

  • Thursday, November 13, 2025
  • 7:45 AM - 11:45 AM
  • Munro & Associates, 1140 Centre Road, Auburn Hills, MI 48326 United States

Registration

  • SAA bronze members (includes YPN or Student memberships)
  • Includes a one-year Bronze membership to the SAA
  • For working media. Please contact Kevin Singer at kjsinger345@gmail.com to receive a registration code.
  • For Platinum and Gold SAA members only
  • For sponsors who receive a special invite code.

Registration is closed

9th Annual Materials Innovations Summit

November 13 @ 7:45 am - 11:45 am


Hosted by:

In partnership with:

Agenda:

  • Networking and Continental Breakfast: 7:45 a.m. to 8:30 a.m.
  • Presentations and Awards: 8:30 a.m. to 11:45 a.m.
Lightweighting that enhances efficiency is powertrain agnostic. Whether it’s an all-ICE powertrain, a BEV, or anything in between, the use of lightweight materials is pivotal in achieving the greatest range, the highest performance, the lowest emissions, all while balancing costs for the consumer. Recent changes to CAFE regulations and the ability to impose civil penalties are at the crossroads of material selection.

Join us as we bring together a panel of experts representing Aluminum, Composites, Magnesium, and Steel components and solutions to share their views on how lightweight materials are differentiators and their evolution.

Nominations for the Lightweighting Innovations Award are now open. Make sure you submit your innovation today for a chance to win the award (past winners include CooperStandard, BASF, American Axle, and Nexteer). It’s fast, free, and simple to enter. More information is available at this link: Innovation in Lightweighting Award.



Speakers:

Justin Mirro
Chairman
Munro & Associates

 

Material Trends in Mobility
Abey Abraham
Managing Principal of Automotive & Materials
Ducker Carlisle

 

Steel Industry
Paul Belanger
VP of BIW R&D North America
Gestamp

 

Aluminum Industry
Darren Womak
Department Manager, R&D
Magna

 

 

Magnesium Industry
Tim Zurrer
Director of Project Development
Magrathea

 

Composite/Plastics Industry
Matt Parkinson, Ph.D.
Head of Technical Development,
Engineering and PPA Business Development NA
BASF

 

Q & A Moderated by:
Mike Martinez
Reporter
Automotive News

 

Innovations In Lightweighting Award

Finalist Presentations and Award Announcement




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