The French manufacturer is the only European provider to provide

Who thinks that the car is a pile of scrap metal, plastic and rubber Quietly, natural materials take place vehicles, not so much to "green" for considerations of cost and relief of some components. French equipment manufacturer Faurecia is a good example of this new concern for "eco-design" of the vehicle. "We went a little hidden activity in the business to something much more visible." "We are now leaders in some flagship projects, and have a lot of interactions with other departments such as R & D, design, design or purchases," welcomes Loïc Jacqueson, the Department responsible for "environmental goods".

Composite plastics-wood

Since the outbreak of the price of oil, and thus derived plastics, OEMs must offer to builders of new material, if possible more economic. Thus, small Smart Fortwo is now equipped an edge plate made of a mixture of polypropylene and lin, which can take up to 60 of natural fibre. A "very competitive in terms of cost" solution, which is also hidden to the driver by a fabric of finish. Unlike recycled steels or plastics, "the natural fibre has a clear impact on mass because it has a density less than 1," continues the representative of Faurecia.

Another illustration of this "mixing", a mixture of polypropylene and wood fibre, found already on models such as the BMW X 5, the Opel Corsa, the Citroën C4, Toyota Avensis or the Volkswagen EOS convertible. The French manufacturer is the only European provider to provide. The plastic-wood composites can be found on panels doors or dashboard elements.

In the chapter of "non-chemical", cotton fibre is already present in acoustic elements (noise dampers), nestled in the floors or the engine cowls. In contrast, cotton is still banned wrapping seats, yet logical field in appearance, because it is less resistant than the synthetic time wear and the intensive use of the benches.

The research, a little more long term, include wood fibers that could dress all the surface of a panel door, or on a "bioplastic" 100, which would combine grain and natural fibres natural. Advantage: fully escape the oil sector.

Weight gain

Another idea very fashionable, and not so remote past: the research of weight gain. As the relief has an impact with consumption of a car, and therefore its CO2 emissions. With its different products (door panels, boards of dashboard, seats), Faurecia provides an average 190 kilos of components on an average car of 1.2 tonne. "We can reduce this to 15-20, this represents approximately 30 kilograms," said CEO, Yann Delabrière. New materials, thinning of the pieces, hole performed at the appropriate locations: everything is good to achieve. Car manufacturers, despite their tendency to add equipment of comfort or security, are well aware of the need to monitor their weight. "Yesterday, the standard applied by manufacturers to their suppliers was relief to about 20 of a vehicle, at equivalent perimeter." Today, it is sometimes up to 30. "Some have become intractable on this topic: talking first with relief, and after the rest", adds Loïc Jacqueson. Hear, Toyota, BMW, Peugeot and General Motors are clearly part of the club of the "Weight Watchers".