Faurecia, the global leader in particulate filters, is also an expert at reducing vehicle weight and treating nitrogen oxides. The group is a key player in the development of clean vehicles.
The goal of developing "clean" cars boasting low levels of pollution and CO2 emissions is shared by all automakers around the world. The marketing director for Emissions Control Technologies explains how Faurecia is rising to what is a key challenge for us and the planet.
Global anti-pollution standards are becoming increasingly stringent. What is Faurecia doing to meet these higher demands?
Faurecia is in the ideal position to comply with current and future standards, such as Euro 5 and Euro 6. For example, we were the first to develop the Diesel Particulate Filter in conjunction with PSA. We had the necessary expertise to incorporate the fragile ceramic filter, while protecting it from vibrations without affecting engine performance and fuel consumption, which was easier said than done. Durability is another goal, since our filters will work reliably for over 200.000 kilometers.
Future standards will especially focus on pollutant gases - nitrogen oxides. What steps is Faurecia taking in this area?
We are making headway with two "DeNOx" processes: Selective Catalytic Reduction, or SCR, and "NOx traps", using the "canning" technology that we have already pioneered in particulate filters. In terms of SCR, we have developed a process that ensures good homogenization of the gas and the urea, which is the chemical that neutralizes the NOx. This process removes up to 90% of the nitrogen oxides.
Are "clean" cars lightweight as well?
Sure. The lighter the car, the less fuel it consumes and the less pollution it produces. Thanks to our "Lightweight" program, we are making exhaust systems 10 to 15% lighter from one generation to the next through our new designs and new materials. For example, we replace cast iron parts with sheet metal components. Faurecia clearly stands on the cutting edge in this field.
What other avenues are you exploring in a bid to reduce consumption?
30% to 40% of the energy produced by the engine is released through the exhaust. Faurecia has therefore pioneered an exchanger-based heat recovery process that uses the heat from the exhaust to quickly warm up the inside of the vehicle. This option is available on the Citroën C4 Picasso in countries with a cold climate.
What research capacities is Faurecia developing?
Innovations focusing on emissions control are being masterminded in our global Research & Development Center in Bavans, France. We are actually going to reinforce its resources over the next few months. The concepts developed in Bavans will be geared towards automakers' needs by our eight centers in Europe, United States, Brazil, China, Japan and Korea.