A green design using recycled materials and natural fibers.
As part of its green design policy, Faurecia is using more and more recycled plastic. The Group is also developing an approach that replaces petroleum-derived products with organic components.
A growing proportion of recycled components
Faurecia's interior systems include a growing proportion of components made from recycled plastic, mainly in areas hidden from the passengers' view. The weight of these types of components can exceed 2.7 kg (6 lbs) for a set of seats. For soundproofing, Faurecia uses recycled natural fibers, such as cotton.
For example, the instrument panel of the new Renault Kangoo developed by Faurecia contains 4 kg (8.8 lbs) of recycled materials used to produce such discrete components as the instrument panel structure and the air vent units.
Sommold, a mixture of fiberglass and polypropylene, is a recycled material that is used for the parcel shelf of the Citroën C3, delivering excellent shock resistance and boasting considerable rigidity, in addition to a lightweight design.
Faurecia also uses recycled materials for the hidden parts of the exterior systems, including absorbers, bumpers and air ducts.
Natural fibers and recycled materials: paving the way for new prospects
Faurecia is one of the first global equipment suppliers to develop materials from natural fibers.
The Group creates door panel structures using 50% to 90% composite materials combining polyolefins or polyesters with wood fibers.
As for exterior systems, Faurecia uses injection-moldable materials out of polyolefins and fibers (hemp and sisal), which are then used in place of fiberglass in bumper brackets.
Faurecia's R&D engineers are strongly involved in the French Biomat project, which aims to market a biomass-derived bioplastic by 2012, offering the same qualities as petroleum-derived products: safety, fire resistance, etc.