Wednesday, October 14, 2009
PSA turn to natural materials for car components
PSA Peugeot Citroen has started to use components made from natural materials - radiator caps and side mirror mountings that contain hemp instead of glass-fibre; parcel shelves that are moulded in a plastic made from wood chippings; and inner door panels that are 50 per cent flax.
The components are the fruits of PSA's Green Materials Plan, set up last year. Its target is a six-fold increase in natural and renewable materials used in all its vehicles by 2015.
The programme, which covers all models in development, will bring weight and cost savings as well as a reduction in energy use and carbon dioxide emissions, and the conservation of non-renewable resources.
The average car has 1,000 plastic parts, which amount to 20 per cent of its weight. Today, green materials account for only 6 per cent of that 20 per cent but Peugeot Citroen intends that proportion to reach 30 per cent by 2013.
DATED: 14.10.09
FEED: AW
