Faurecia Interior Systems Product Leader to Present the Case for Biobased Materials in Vehicles at SAE Conferences, April 14-15 at Cobo Center
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WHAT: Jay Hutchins, director of marketing and product planning for Faurecia Interior Systems, will present the case for biobased materials in vehicles as part of two SAE Conferences, the SAE World Congress on April 14 and the SAE USDA BioPreferred(SM) Program on April 15. The purpose of the BioPreferred program is to promote the increased purchase and use of biobased products, with the goals of reducing petroleum consumption, increasing the use of renewable resources, better managing the carbon cycle, and contributing to reduced adverse environmental and health impacts.
On Thursday, April 14 , Hutchins will participate in a SAE World Congress expert panel discussion, "Examples of Green Innovation and Sustainable Practices in the Automotive Sector," presented by the SAE Green Technology Systems Group. This panel will address the current status of new technologies used in vehicles and vehicle manufacturing where the principles of green chemistry and engineering have been applied in their development or where natural, renewable, or recycled material has been used. During this panel discussion, Hutchins will examine the strengths and weaknesses of bio-materials in vehicles and plans for future applications of biobased products in the auto industry.
On Friday, April 15 , Hutchins will present "The Case for Biobased Materials in Vehicles" during the SAE USDA BioPreferred Program in an effort to help the USDA characterize biobased materials in vehicles. His remarks will be centered on the use of biobased materials and will highlight how Faurecia has adopted a "cradle-to-cradle" approach to:
- Incorporate more natural-fiber composites in automotive systems and develop next-generation bio-materials
- Reduce the weight of components
- Lower emissions of greenhouse and other gases
- Develop vehicle end-of-life recycling initiatives to optimize recovery of production waste and use of recycled materials
- Review and enhance environmental performance based on lifecycle analysis and assessment
Faurecia is the world's sixth-largest automotive equipment supplier, with four key business groups: automotive seating, emissions control technologies, interior systems and automotive exteriors. The company is headquartered in Nanterre, France, with its North American headquarters in Auburn Hills, Mich.
WHY: The SAE reports: "The USDA is currently identifying the federal government's purchasing preferences and labeling requirements for biobased materials and products. Automobiles have been designated as complex assemblies under this program and information and cooperation between USDA and the auto sector will be necessary for the future success of such regulations regarding autos. Examples of automobile biobased components include biobased resins, soy-based resins, bio-fillers in plastic, natural fiber filler in plastics, and sustainable fabrics.
"The Vehicles Materials Task Force of the Green Technology Systems Group has identified a need for a workshop, for the auto industry, manufacturers and suppliers, to review the current state of biobased materials in vehicles and the potential implications of the USDA BioPreferred(SM) Program for the auto industry. The USDA has agreed to speak and participate in the workshop to further the dialogue regarding the designation of automobiles as complex assemblies."
More information about the conference and presentation is available at: SAE Biomat Workshop
WHERE: Cobo Center; 1 Washington Blvd.; Detroit, Mich.; 48226
WHEN: SAE World Congress
10:00 a.m., Thursday, April 14, 2011
Room 02-38: "Examples of Green Innovation and Sustainable Practices in the Automotive Sector" expert panel
2011 SAE Workshop to Characterize Biobased Materials in Vehicles for the USDA BioPreferred(SM) Program
9:45 a.m., Friday, April 15, 2011
Room O2-33: "The Case for Biobased Materials in Vehicles," Jay Hutchins
CONTACT: To schedule an interview with Jay Hutchins or for more info, contact Deana Goodrich at (248) 304-1457 or Goodrich@airfoilpr.com.
