Renault 5 e-tech : low-carbon materials take the driving seat

Committed to reducing emissions, Renault and FORVIA’s low-carbon materials experts at MATERI’ACT have joined forces to develop, test and showcase fossil fuels alternatives. The new Renault 5 E-Tech is packed with the latest tech – plus natural hemp and recycled plastic.

Keen to keep down the emissions produced by the materials it uses, FORVIA created MATERI’ACT in 2022 to focus the group’s existing expertise in developing recycled and bio-based alternatives to virgin plastic. Just as aware of consumers’ desire – and the urgent need – to change tack and minimise emissions, Renault was also on the look-out for alternative materials.

What better place to start than the new Renault 5 E-Tech?

“It is exciting to be working closely with the Renault and Ampere1 teams on such anemblematic new vehicle. With all the on-board equipment on the Renault 5 E-Tech, FORVIA is once more demonstrating the breadth of its solution portfolio, responding to its customers desire for an eco-responsible and innovative mobility.” Thorsten Muschal, Executive Vice-President FORVIA Interiors

Teaming up to test low-carbon alternatives 

The teams worked together to pack the new all-electric car with low-CO₂materials. Award-winning NAFILean-R was integrated for the very first time in the structure of the instrument panel. This bio composite incorporates 20% natural hemp fibre with a matrix of fully recycled polypropylene made from post-consumer waste. Developed and supplied by MATERI’ACT, in partnership with Veolia and APM, it reduces CO₂ emissions by 73% and is 20% lighter – without compromising on stringent specifications for resistance, crash safety and cabin air quality.

“The new R5 e-Tech is another milestone of Renault’s relentless effort to use as many recycled and renewable materials as we can. Thanks to close collaboration with project engineers and suppliers like FORVIA, we have been able to use these materials in areas previously using only virgin polymers, without any trade-off in design, performance or durability.” François Farion, Design Director, Innovation and Sustainability, Groupe Renault

Designed & manufactured close to home

The Renault 5 E-Tech also limits its environmental impact by keeping much of the design and manufacturing in France. NAFILean-R is fully made in France. Veolia supplies post-consumer recycled plastic collected in Oise, which  is compounded near Dijon with hemp growned in Haute-Saône by agricultural cooperative Interval. The compounds are processed into vehicle parts and supplied to Renault (both in Northern France). At the end of its life, the vehicle will be dismantled at the Renault Refactory in the Yvelines and recyclable NAFILean-R can be revalorised.  

As you read, the teams at MATERI’ACT are busy improving and extending our range of low-carbon materials. Watch this space!

Interested in finding out more? Keen to incorporate lower carbon, lower impact materials in your products? Don’t hesitate to get in touch