FORVIA Group establishes MATERI'ACT to develop and produce sustainable materials

        FORVIA Group, the world's seventh largest automotive technology supplier, announced that it will create a new brand - MATERI'ACT, to develop and produce cutting-edge sustainable materials on a large scale. FORVIA Group is the world's first automotive technology company to have its net zero emissions target approved by SBTi (Science Based Targets Initiative), and is committed to consolidating its technological advantages in the industry to provide a travel experience that meets human needs.

         MATERI'ACT will be headquartered in Lyon, France, a vibrant and attractive industrial and academic city in the field of chemistry. The new R&D center and pilot workshop will be put into use in 2023 to continue to develop sustainable materials that meet strict technical requirements to comply with future environmental regulations. By 2025, MATERI'ACT will recruit 400 talents and generate sales of more than 2 billion euros by 2030. Jean-Paul Michel, Executive Vice President of Faurecia Automotive Interiors, said: "Thanks to more than a decade of experience in the development of bio-based materials, FORVIA Group is taking action again in the fight against climate change. With the creation of MATERI'ACT, we are taking action and investing heavily in the development of materials with an extremely low carbon footprint. MATERI'ACT will achieve sales of more than €2 billion by 2030, supporting our 2030 carbon reduction commitment while promoting sustainable profitable growth."

        MATERI'ACT Sustainable Materials

     MATERI'ACT Sustainable Materials

        MATERI'ACT develops, sources, produces and sells unique cutting-edge materials with low and ultra-low carbon footprints that reduce CO2 emissions by 85% compared to existing materials. The product portfolio includes plastic particles based on recycled materials, bio-based plastic particles and plastic particles obtained from carbon molecules, bio-based skins, low-carbon carbon fibers and green steel for the automotive industry and other industries. All sustainable materials of MATERI'ACT comply with the EU Green Finance Classification Standard (EuroPEan Green Taxonomy). The new entity has more than ten years of professional experience in the development and processing of recycled and bio-based materials, including variability management.

        MATERI'ACT will help FORVIA accelerate its ambition to achieve carbon neutrality in its products, meeting OEM and end-user expectations for more sustainable vehicles. By developing and producing sustainable materials, MATERI'ACT will help FORVIA and the industry to eventually achieve net zero emissions.

        MATERI'ACT mobilizes the entire ecosystem, from waste and bio-based feedstock management to renewable materials. For example, the incorporation of biomass into compounds is achieved through the joint venture APM (formed with INTERVAL, an agricultural cooperative that produces hemp and by-products such as fibers); the incorporation of recycled content into compounds is achieved through joint development agreements with key partners (sustainable mobility: Faurecia and Veolia are pioneering the use of recycled plastics in car interiors); and the incorporation of biomass into coating materials is achieved through joint development agreements and commercial agreements with Ananas Anam to develop and sell sustainable alternatives to leather made from waste pineapple fibers. Strong partnerships around bio-sourced and renewable materials allow MATERI'ACT to have sufficient raw material quantities and be ready for industrial production to meet the performance needs of customers and have a sustainable impact on the industry.

        Rémi Daudin, Vice President of Faurecia's Sustainable Materials Division, said: "Rethinking the way we design, manufacture and use products is a necessary step in addressing climate change. The sustainable transformation of enterprises is not only about reducing negative impacts on the environment, but also about creating a sustainable and profitable ecosystem. Through MATERI'ACT, we aim to develop innovative material solutions and make a positive contribution to the industry, society and the environment."