Sustainable innovation benefits customers, consumers and the planet
In 2020 we began rolling out a new Group Innovation Process which puts improving the sustainability of our products as one of our starting points. Eco-design is not new to Faurecia. Many breakthrough innovations have allowed us to develop sustainable materials or lightweight technologies that reduce CO2 emissions. Our NAFILean ® range which incorporates natural fibers has grown from one type of product in 2011 to four today and is featured in 17 car models – around 13m vehicles. Projects like our ‘seat for the planet' is another good example of how innovation is helping us increase our use of sustainable materials (recycled, recyclable and bio-sourced) and adopt a circular economy approach by design.
Our innovation mindset and process is user-centric, technology-for-purpose, collaborative and agile so we can go faster in bringing new solutions to market. This involves working in transversal teams of internal experts, as well as liaising with external partners like universities, research labs, start-ups and think-tanks across the globe. In particular, collaborating with our innovation ecosystem stimulates ideas upstream in our fueling stage in addition to helping us integrate more quickly new technology expertise if required.
Assessing environmental impact is part of our 360° approach, along with technical, business, supply risks or opportunities at each of the steps that an innovation project follows. This includes eco-design, use of low-impact materials, manufacturing processes to end-of-life. In this way we can be sure that our solutions are robust, aligned with user and market needs and Faurecia’s strategic priorities: sustainable mobility and cockpit of the future, as well as our CO2 neutral ambition.
Vehicles are becoming more intelligent and complex with software, electronics, hardware and mechanical components. We draw on our system engineering expertise across the full cockpit interior and automotive value chain to make the complexity manageable, with sustainability, affordability, scarcity of some materials and an improved mobility experience top of mind.
Technology has a lifetime impact. By bringing together the collective intelligence of our internal experts and innovation ecosystem, we will succeed in developing solutions that benefit our customers, consumers and the planet.