Issue 01/2017

Automotive Materials
Biobased materials – The future
In December 2009, aiming to develop its expertise into a
sustainable competitive advantage and thus to contribute
to the profitability of the company and enhance customer
satisfaction, Renault established a cross-functional
field dedicated to expertise. One of the strategic areas of
expertise identified was “Polymers, Characterization &
Processes of Transformation”, led by Dr. Liraut.
Renault’s Polymer materials strategy is focused on
providing sustainable mobility for all.
As illustrated in Fig. 1, this strategy is built on 4 axes:
• increase customer value
• improve durability
• reduce costs
• reduce environmental footprint
Biobased materials are one pillar to support this
strategy.
Customer Value
• Decorations (metal, painting, grains)
• Skin TPO, Slush, Leather
• Thermal Comfort
• Light atmosphere
Durability
• Anti scratch
• Anti durst
• UV protection
Reduction of environmental footprint
Since 2005, Renault has been committed to reducing the
environmental impact of its vehicles throughout their lifecycle,
from one generation to the next. In order to ensure
and monitor compliance with this commitment, Renault has
measured the environmental impact of its vehicles throughout
their life-cycle, from the extraction of the raw materials needed
for manufacturing to their end of life, since 2004. Life-cycle
analyses (LCA) are carried out in compliance with international
standards on LCA (ISO 14040 and 14044).
Cost
• Alliance Specifications
• Panel of Materials
• Local Integration
Fig 1: strategy built on 4 axes
Environmental Footprint
• Weight reduction
• Recycled materials
• Biobased materials
• Recycling in existing fields
The results of the life-cycle assessments show that usephase
vehicle emissions account for more than 80 % of the
CO 2
and for most atmospheric pollutants emitted over the life
cycle of an ICE vehicle.
By curbing emissions during the use phase, therefore,
Renault can significantly reduce the environmental footprint of
its vehicles. Improving vehicle fuel efficiency is a crucial part
of this.
A potent lever for better fuel economy is weight reduction.
For example, calculations have shown that reducing vehicle
weight by 10kg cuts CO 2
emissions by 1g/km.
Use of PE+natural fibers
New Megane’s dashboard insert in NAFilean -
APM by the end of 2016
1.270 kg saving
with an additional
cost of € 2.50
per saved kg
The choice of materials impacts directly on vehicle weight.
To reduce weight, all families of materials must be taken
into account: steels with high elasticity; light alloys, such as
aluminum; composites; and plastics.
Renault has taken steps to address this concern, starting in
2016 with the use of PE filled with natural fibers (PE-NF) instead
of talc or glass fibers, in semi-structural parts requiring a high
rigidity, low impact resistance and a good thermal resistance.
The use of PE-NF yields a weight saving of between 6 % and 20 %,
thanks to a reduction of the thicknesses of the parts.
In the new Megane, the use of Nafilean , a natural fiber
composite produced by APM - Automotive Performance
Materials (PE-Hemp 20 %), for a dashboard insert has enabled
a weight reduction of 1.27 kg at an additional cost of 2.5 € per
saved kg.
Studies of other natural fibers, such as Miscanthus or
Woodforce, are still in progress.
The use of these specific biobased materials is also considered
in the light of the end of life perspective. Their recycling process
is taken into account.
14 bioplastics MAGAZINE [01/17] Vol. 12