FORVIA’S innovate and eco-responsible technologies to equip the future renault 5 e-tech
Officially launched on May 2nd for a four-year period, the FAVIA (Adaptative Formulation Through Artificial Intelligence) project aims to predict and adapt in real time the formulations and manufacturing parameters of materials based on recycled plastics. The project, which is carried out by a consortium of four players from the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region, is led by MATERI’ACT, a subsidiary of the FORVIA Group. It also includes twolocal SMEs: Aryballe, specialized in Volatile Organic Compounds (VOC) sensors, and POLLEN Metrology, specialized in artificial intelligence software for optimizing the production of innovative materials; as well as the Centre Technique Industriel de laPlasturgie et des Composites (IPC). The FAVIA project is supported by the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes Region, which has mobilized 3.6 million euros in European structural funds from theERDF (European Regional Development Fund).
MATERI’ACT and the FAVIA project
MATERI’ACT focuses on developing sustainable materials with a low CO2 footprint. The aim is to produce materials with up to 85% less carbon impact than existing materials by 2031. In particular, these new materials incorporate an ever-increasing proportion of recycled materials, combined with biomass.
The properties of recycled materials are inherently variable, whereas the end product must have constant, standardized qualities. To control this variability, the FAVIA project aims to use artificial intelligence to anticipate formulations and production parameters.
Strong support from the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes Region for Research and Development
By supporting the FAVIA project, the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes Region is demonstrating its strong commitment to supporting public-private research and innovation partnerships asa means of accelerating the transfer of research results to businesses. In these respects, the FAVIA project is fully in line with the objectives of the ERDF, whose top allocation priority is dedicated to research, innovation, digital technology, competitiveness and reindustrialization.
“The support of the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes Region and Europe is decisive for the FAVIA project. It perfectly underlines the coherence of MATERI’ACT’s project to produce sustainable materials using cutting-edge technologies such as artificial intelligence. It demonstrates the conviction of the Region and Europe to encourage innovation and promote the transition to a low-carbon, circular economy. In carrying out the FAVIA project, MATERI’ACT and its partners are demonstrating the strength of the region’s artificial intelligence ecosystem and the relevance of the partnership approach. With the implementation of FAVIA, MATERI’ACT is in a position to
accelerate the development and market launch of its sustainable materials,” said Rémi DAUDIN, President of MATERI’ACT
“The FAVIA project offers Pollen Metrology an opportunity to enhance the versatility of its holistic, AI-driven software solution for industrial process control and optimization. By bringing together major players in the plastics industry, this project opens up new prospects and markets for Pollen Metrology, while further enhancing the user experience. Pollen’s expertise in exploiting artificial intelligence, and its integration into a unique modular and scalable software architecture, will provide MATERI’ACT with the means to clearly differentiate itself and
accelerate the development of its future applications,” added Johann Foucher, CEO of Pollen Metrology
“As the Centre Technique Industriel de la Plasturgie et des Composites, CT-IPC aims to support industrial players in the development of innovative and sustainable solutions. As part of the FAVIA project, CT-IPC will develop new knowledge, know-how and expertise that will benefit the entire industry (particularly within the network of over 2,000 IPC nationals), enabling them to increase the rate of incorporation of recycled materials, meet new regulatory requirements, and thus gain in competitiveness. The strategic alliance of the FAVIA project’s expertise and partners represents a unique opportunity for the plastics industry, and in particular for the 700 companies based in the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region, France’s leading employer in the plastics sector,” said Jean-Louis Proulx, Managing Director of FAVIA,” highlighted Luc UYTTERHAEGHE, CEO of CT-IPC
“Aryballe integrates biochemical sensors, silicon integrated optics and information processing to provide a machine olfaction solution, enabling other industries to make better decisions based on VOCs analysis data. The FAVIA project is an opportunity to demonstrate the flexibility and versatility of Aryballe technologies for integration into industrial material transformation chains. The automotive market has particular expectations regarding the olfactory rendering of manufactured and assembled plastic parts. Aryballe brings a unique and differentiating innovation that will certainly enable the plastic recycling industry to improve its efficiency,” asserts Cyril Herrier.
“Innovation is crucial to supporting the growth and relocation of our industries in Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes. It’s thanks to the ability of our companies and research organizations to work together and innovate that we can create jobs, strengthen our industrial sovereignty and provide concrete answers to the challenges of major environmental and digital transitions. This is what MATERI’ACT’s move to Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes, which we are particularly proud to have supported, and the launch of the FAVIA project involving MATERI’ACT and its regional partners, are all about. This project is a tremendous embodiment of the Region’s ambition, and our support underlines the commitment of President Laurent Wauquiez and the entire executive to public-private partnerships in Research and Innovation, in order to innovate and create the conditions for a desirable future, relying here on players in two regional sectors of excellence:sustainable materials and artificial intelligence,” commented Catherine STARON, Vice-President of the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes Region, responsible for Higher Education,Research and Innovation.
“European funds are an important financial lever for boosting the economic and industrial attractiveness of the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region. Over the period 2021-2027, almost 270 million euros of ERDF funding will be devoted to developing research and innovation capabilities and improving the competitiveness of regional businesses. A strong commitment from the Region, which is mobilizing these funds to support the regional economy and create sustainable local jobs. The FAVIA project is a fine example of how, with the support of the Region and Europe, we can accelerate the development of sustainable materials and bring them to
market,” concluded Nicolas DARAGON, Vice-President of the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes Region, responsible for finance, general administration, human resources and European funds.
