Renault develops low-CO2 seat fabric for the electric Zoe

Deeply committed to a strategy of increasing integration of recycled materials into its vehicles, Renault has initiated a project called ‘àfiler’ (to thread) alongside Filatures du Parc, a spinning mill in the Tarn region of France, and Adient Fabrics, an automotive seat supplier in Ariège, France, to design a unique textile product made exclusively from recycled materials.

Thanks to the traditional know-how of carded yarn and co-developed innovations, this textile product which is made from safety belts, textile scrap from the automotive industry and polyester fibres from the recycling of plastic bottles (PET) - now covers the interior of the new Renault Zoe, Iconic finishes.

The fabric covering a total area of 8m² is used for the manufacture of seat covers, dashboard coverings, gear lever brackets and door fittings, and meets the high requirements for comfort, cleaning, UV resistance and durability.

The supply and short loop manufacturing of this recycled carded yarn - without chemical or thermal transformation - reduces associated CO2 emissions by more than 60 per cent compared to the previous Zoe fabric from a standard manufacturing process.

Jean-Philippe Hermine, Director of Environmental Strategy & Planning for Groupe Renault, said: “Faced with the challenge of the energy transition, industries have an essential role to play in changing their production methods and reducing their environmental impact. With the support of our partners Filatures du Parc and Adient Fabrics, 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 and cost of raw materials are becoming a real strategic issue.

“This approach contributes to the group's commitment to reduce the environmental impacts of each vehicle throughout its life cycle and to reduce its global carbon footprint by -25 per cent in 2022 compared to 2010.”

Fabrice Lodetti, Manager of Filatures du Parc, added: “For 15 years, our company has been working on the manufacture of recycled yarns from used textile materials for the clothing and furniture sectors in particular. This now represents more than 60 per cent of our activity, our objective being to eventually reach 100 per cent of production.

“We are convinced of the relevance of this responsible social and economic model, based on the principles of the circular economy, to limit the impact on the environment and preserve natural resources in the years to come. To continue in this direction, we encourage all our partners and work closely with their creative teams to develop eco-designed products.”

Mathias Daynie, Director of the Adient Fabrics plant in Laroque d'Olmes, pointed out that “the development of fabrics made from short-loop recycled products, such as the one designed for new Zoe, is undeniably the future of our business. The prospects are very important both in the automotive industry and in other sectors of activity that will certainly follow this approach from an environmental, ethical and economic point of view.

“Our Laroque d'Olmes site, both a production plant and an R&D centre of excellence, with 60 years of experience since its creation by Michel Thierry in 1955 and 20 years dedicated exclusively to the automotive industry, is particularly invested in high value-added products for the future, in collaboration with its partners. In addition to its traditional or eco-designed fabrics for the automotive industry, the site is studying other innovative textile solutions that could open up new markets to support its customers in their technical and environmental ambitions.”

Developed in the 15th century, the textile, clothing and leather industries are an integral part of the economic heritage of the Occitania region, France, particularly in Tarn and Ariège. In an extremely challenging context, the development of new textile products that are technical, sustainable and competitive is a real growth lever for the region's players and an opportunity to position themselves on new markets, secure jobs and develop new skills.