APM / INTERVAL
The very first partnership (that set the ball rolling) with agricultural cooperative INTERVAL to create…
Together, we transform pineapple fibres into a highly resistant surface material.
How (and why) we started transforming recycled plastic, hemp and pineapples into low-impact alternatives to virgin plastic.
Dive deeper into our origins, progress and vision for tomorrow. Plus, all the great people and partners who’ve helped us get this far.
After 10 years of hard R&D and 10 million cars equipped, FORVIA decided to ramp up its decarbonisation efforts. MATERI’ACT was launched in 2022.
FORVIA became the first French company and automotive player to have its CO2 emission path across scopes 1, 2 & 3 validated by the Science Based Targets Initiative – with the objective of achieving net zero by 2045. As part of this ambitious carbon neutrality plan, FORVIA decided to set up MATERI’ACT in 2022.
The aim? Create low-carbon materials for automotive (and other industries) to replace virgin plastics.
For 10 years, FORVIA had been working with agricultural cooperative INTERVAL to develop NAFILean, a range of biocomposite materials made from hemp and recycled plastic – already used in over 10 million vehicles. At MATERI’ACT, we’re growing this range, while exploring exciting new paths.
For over a decade, FORVIA has been investing in low-CO₂ materials. This commitment led to the creation of MATERI’ACT— – to accelerate impact by developing recycled and bio-sourced materials that are not only better for the environment but today, also superior in performance.
Circularity
We want to contribute to an economy where everything (or as much as possible) is reused or recycled. This means recycled or biomass feedstock, products that are easy to recycle and appropriate recycling facilities.
Decarbonisation
More than ever, we’re convinced that materials can have a lower carbon impact – we’re aiming to generate 85% less when producing ours. Zero would be even better. Reuse and recycling will also help reduce emissions across product life cycles.
Beyond automotive
We realised that low-carbon materials can also reshape a dizzying array of different applications, from toys to leather goods. We’re excited to explore new possibilities (and products) with some amazing partners and customers.
High stakes (and potential) in the automotive industry – and beyond.
Convinced that materials can be part of the solution to the current plastics crisis, since 2022, our teams have been busy making their vision for low-carbon recycled and bio-based materials (that meet high industry standards) a reality.
To achieve this, we jump in at different steps in the value chain, from managing waste and raw materials to ensuring a reliable supply of sustainable feedstock and formulating new compounds – with a little help from AI.
We are picky about the feedstock we use and the properties of the materials we develop. All materials have to be recyclable and reduce carbon emissions by at least 20% (vs existing materials) – and up to 85% by 2030.
Big ambitions by 2030
85%
Up to 85% lower CO₂ impact
554
CO₂ kt saved
Great teams and minds – in a great location.
We’re a diverse team of around 100 chemists, engineers and other specialists passionate about finding alternatives to fossil-fuel derived materials.
100
collaborators
40%
women
34
years old (average age)
38%
of us have a PhD
7,500 m2. Fully renovated and ready for action!
In 2023, we set up our offices and innovation centre in Villeurbanne (near Lyon) – close to several excellence clusters including Plastics Valley and the Doua campus. Spanning 7500 m2, the site is home to our offices, R&D centre and characterisation laboratory, plus a restaurant and collaborative spaces.
In line with our environmental convictions, we moved into an existing building with the French BBC Rénovation Environmental Label (that means low energy consumption).
- 60% CO₂ savings compared to a new building
- Partitions 100% reused (sourced within 4 km)
- Laminate fittings made from 95% recycled wood
- All furniture re-used or re-sourced
- Accessible via soft mobility and public transport
We love our new R&D lab – and pilot production line too.
In our top-notch innovation centre, engineers and scientists spend their days formulating grades (using the latest AI), characterising compounds and prototyping. By doing all this in house, we can be ultra-accurate and responsive during testing. Tested samples make their way to our very own pilot production line, located just a few kilometres away – complete with extruders and injection presses. Once injected, these compounds become test specimens and prototype parts – ready for laboratory analysis.
22
patents
880
grades tested with AI since 2023
10kt
biosourced & recycled materials transformed annually in Dijon
A hive (or HUB) of open innovation for like-minded startups & companies.
To support innovation and ecology in local area (and beyond), we create a whole ecosystem by renting out offices to start-ups with a shared passion for sustainability and companies looking to organise events.
Our network of pioneering partners just keeps growing.
We couldn’t have made it this far without the talent, vision and complementary skills of our partners. Together, we have taken giant leaps closer to our vision for a world with no virgin plastic.
ANANAS ANAM
MATERI’ACT DALLAS
We’ve teamed up with PCR Recycling in the USA to deliver recycled compounds.
PLASTIC ODYSSEY
The FORVIA Foundation and NGO Plastic Odyssey support local communities in collecting, cleaning, treating, and…
VEOLIA
Together, we turn plastic waste into amazing compounds that performance of virgin plastics.