2007 Interactive Registration Document - Renault

03 ENVIRONMENTAL
SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT
PERFORMANCE
This organization will be adapted over time according to technological
developments.
The “Skills 2010” project for the environment points the way to the future.
Under the approach introduced in 2003, three levels of key competencies for
the future have been identifi ed: environmental expertise, transformation of
some of the core automotive businesses, and the additional competencies of
all the other functions.
3.2.3.2 ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT
DURING THE LIFE CYCLE
ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT IN THE DESIGN AND
DEVELOPMENT PHASE
To effectively reduce pollutant fl ows generated in the different stages of the life
cycle, it is important to take action from the product design and development
stage. This takes place three to fi ve years – depending on the innovations –
before the car is released on the market.
As part of the development process, each new project better integrates
choices of materials, fl uid extractability, dismantling operations for recycling,
pollutant emissions, fuel consumption, CO 2 emissions, outside noise and the
environmental impact of product choices on industrial processes, while making
plant workstations more ergonomic, enhancing occupant and pedestrian safety,
and improving the quality/price ratio.
Eco-design of industrial processes
Projects are managed through function-based industrialization contracts and,
depending on the project, a quality assurance contract, with input from the
support functions (energy, logistics, environment, socio-technical, etc.). Existing
contractualization and approval documents ensure the visibility and traceability
of projects (policy circular, industrial pre-contract per function, industrial contract
per function, functional contract (including industrialization and “profi tability
indicators”) and lastly technical agreements until the required performance
is attained.
Eco-design of products
Eco-design is a major development that involves not only Renault’s own
designers, but also the designers working for component and materials
suppliers. To implement this new and complex approach, the network of external
experts has been broadened to include specialists who take part in drafting of
future standards and who take part in exchange platforms for methodologies,
as well as building databases and prioritizing environmental impacts.
Renault’s logic is to integrate the environment into the usual development process
followed by designers. With each project launch, environmental advances tested
on one vehicle can be applied to others. Some of these technological solutions
can become technical policies.
New Laguna illustrates Renault’s commitment to improving its performance
on lower fuel consumption by integrating this concern right from the design
and development phase.
Here are a few examples of actions that have brought consumption down:
the electric pump unit and fi xed power steering optimize fuel consumption
by supplying just the right amount of power to the electric motor driving the
pump. This cuts CO 2 and consumption by up to 0.3 l/100 km;
reductions in weight: on the exhaust system by using thinner tubes for
add-ons and hub-carriers through the use of aluminium, and on the general
body structure through innovative techniques and lighter, high-performance
materials such as high yield-strength steel;
aerodynamics has been signifi cantly improved through the use of spoilers
and other body accessories at the rear, defl ectors on the front wheels, fairing,
improved air intake plugs and reworked exterior door mirrors, for total fuel
savings of 0.5 l/100 km.
New Laguna also illustrates Renault’s efforts to manage end-of life processing
right from the design stage. The two main successes are the potential recovery,
at a low cost, of 95% of the vehicle by weight and the inclusion of 35 kg of
recycled plastics in more than 90 parts. Here are a few examples of these
two successes:
Easier recovery of 95% of the vehicle at end-of-life:
n the tanks and locations are marked for extracting a maximum amount of
fl uid;
the reservoirs (windscreen washer, brake fl uid) are designed so that a fl exible
rod can reach the bottom;
the cooling radiator has been fi tted with a quarter-turn valve so that it can
be completely emptied;
all the parts containing batteries, such as the key, are marked to ensure that
the batteries are placed in special recycling bins and not in ordinary bins;
parts made from primary aluminum such as the bonnet, aluminium crossmembers
and heat shields are marked so that they can be processed using
closed-loop recycling, which corresponds more closely to the initial value of
the aluminum; the seat foam is in a single piece and contains no inserts.
Inclusion of 35 kg of recycled plastics:
n skid plate, wheel arch shields, rear bumper absorbers;
aerodynamic fairings, canister fairing, rear suspension fairing;
mounts for the rear bumper, headlight washer and rear lights, fascia
mounting, mudguard fi xture;
lower diffusers, baffl e on cowl vent grille, battery case cover;
boot and cabin mats, plate insulator, soundproofi ng for the boot lid lining
and under the dashboard;
tooling boxes, stowage compartment, seat shells and sun visor housing.
104 Registration Document Renault 2007
Find out more at www.renault.com
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