MATERI’ACT inaugurates R&D center to develop low-carbon materials

MATERI’ACT, a company of the FORVIA Group, an automotive technology supplier, inaugurated its Headquarters and R&D center in Villeurbanne (France) on November 13.

MATERI’ACT’s Headquarters and R&D center in Villeurbanne, France. (Source: ONLYLYON Business)

MATERI’ACT’s building has been rehabilitated and awarded the BBC Rénovation environmental label. Its 7,500 sqm building houses the company’s offices and its materials prototyping and characterization laboratory.

A 2,000 sqm hub will join innovative companies, particularly start-ups, together in the field of sustainable development and materials. MATERI’ACT will host and support these start-ups, from incubation to acceleration, while fostering collaborations to accelerate industry’s ecological transition.

It aims to achieve sales of EUR 2 billion by 2030.

“The R&D center aims to become a world-class center of excellence for the formulation of recycled and bio-sourced materials,” commented Patrick Koller, CEO of FORVIA.

Net-zero emissions goal by 2045

FORVIA is the first French company and the first automotive industry player in the world to have its net-zero emission roadmap approved by the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi) in June 2022, with a goal of reaching net-zero emissions across all scopes by 2045.

Over the past 10 years, FORVIA has been developing NAFILean, a range of biocomposite materials incorporating help fibers and recycled plastics. This product range equips more than 9 million vehicles already on the road, with plans to accelerate to 15 million vehicles by 2025.

“The sustainable transformation of our businesses is not just about reducing negative impacts on the planet, but also about creating a sustainable and profitable ecosystem,” stated Jean-Paul Michel, Executive Vice-President, Interiors at FORVIA.