Groupe Renault, with its partners Les Filatures du Parc and Adient Fabrics, has introduced a new seating material made from recycled plastics and car parts.
Les Filatures du Parc, which is a specialist supplier of corded yarn, and Adient Fabrics, part of the global seating supplier Adient Technologies, produce the material which is made from recycled seatbelts, seat covers and reclaimed PET.
The materials will be used in the new Renault Zoe EV.
Meeting all requirements for comfort, cleaning, UV resistance and durability, approximately 8m2 will be used across each vehicle, in areas including the seat covers, IP coverings, centre console and door trim.
In comparison to the standard material, the short-loop manufacturing of this corded yarn reduces associated CO2 output by ‘more than 60%’.
Jean-Phiippe Hermine, director of environmental strategy and planning for Groupe Renault, said: “We are demonstrating that it is possible to implement circular and competitive development models focused on resources, while acquiring a valuable competitive advantage at a time when the availability of raw materials are becoming a real strategic issue.”
The area producing the yarn has been a region of textile manufacturing since the 15th century. The ‘áfiler’ project received support from the Ademe and the Occitania region, together with ENSAIT, the National High School of Textile Arts and Industries in Roubaix.