Faurecia & Indorama Ventures to launch sustainable car seat foam solution

Auraloop is a brand-new range of cushioning solutions targeted at the mobility sectors, constructed from an inventive structure of polyester-based fibers that are 100 percent recyclable.

The carbon footprint of car seat covers, which are now constructed of polyurethane foam, is one of Auraloop’s goals.

Auraloop provides a higher level of durability and thermal comfort performance.

One of the world leaders in PET (polyethylene terephthalate) manufacture and recycling, Indorama Ventures, and R&D teams from the Faurecia seating activity recently signed an exclusive development partnership. The goal of this collaboration between Indorama Ventures and Faurecia, a FORVIA Group company that ranks seventh among automotive suppliers, is to create Auraloop, a new line of cushioning solutions for the mobility markets that will eventually replace the polyurethane foam that is currently used in car seats.

Nicolas Michot, director of Technology at Faurecia Seating, said that Auraloop would switch out the materials currently used in automotive seating with cutting-edge, environmentally friendly alternatives based on polyester fibers that are 100% recyclable. This novel material will allow for a twofold reduction in the carbon footprint of vehicle seat pad options compared to present materials. The creation of this product fits within the FORVIA Group’s plan to become carbon neutral by 2045 and lays the path for a larger commercial release in two or three years. In order to do this, the group is working to fully integrate the circular economy into all aspects of its commercial offering. To this end, MATERI’ACT has been created to develop and produce cutting-edge sustainable materials.

Arnaud Closson, CEO, Indorama Ventures’ Mobility Group/Fibers Segment, said that by outlining these initial milestones in their close-knit collaboration with Faurecia, this partnership is an integral part of Indorama Ventures’ commitment to expanding its existing Polyester (PET)-based portfolio and related activities into wider areas. They intend to create new growth prospects for both partners by combining two of the top leaders in the automotive sector.

Auraloop also provides a variety of fresh viewpoints on seating comfort since its higher breathability, and air permeability compared to existing seating pad solutions allow for better passive heat regulation of users. The reduced subsidence of the seat throughout the course of its lifetime also increases the longevity of seats. The need for comfort inside cars is always increasing. This dynamic is what led to the creation of Auraloop, a device that offers much better performances in terms of static, dynamic, and welcome comfort.