“Thermoplastic composite materials can help reduce the weight of a vehicle by 15 to 30%”, Morgane Duhec, Valeo Power Division

JEC Composites Magazine: We are familiar with Valeo’s 4 main business lines. What is the place and role of composites in these?

Morgane Duhec: Valeo is committed to reducing its carbon footprint and to develop solutions for more sustainable mobility. For the mobility industry, optimising resource consumption is a crucial issue at a time when environmental awareness is on the increase and when access to natural resources can be challenged. In all our businesses, composite materials can help offer alternatives to traditional material. For example, Organosheet composite material is a game changer for sustainability in all Valeo’s businesses. We started to implement this material in front structural parts and battery supports as the material enables us to meet the strenuous safety regulations of the automotive industry in terms of shock resistance for example, while limiting the impact on natural resources and the environment.

We are also investigating other parts to contribute to lowering the overall product weight and the carbon footprint of a vehicle.

Do you see the electrification of the automotive industry as an opportunity for composite materials or, on the contrary, as an obstacle, insofar as it adds a lot of weight?

M.D.: Electric mobility is a key solution to help reduce the impact of mobility on the environment.  Valeo is a major player in electrification and we support carmakers around the world in their transition to electrified vehicles.  

While electric vehicles offer numerous environmental and performance benefits, one of the challenges they face is their increasing weight compared to traditional internal combustion engine vehicles. Advanced composite materials offer great opportunities that we are currently exploring. For example, thermoplastic composite materials can help reduce the weight of a vehicle by 15 to 30%, allowing it to maintain and even increase its autonomy.

What will be Valeo’s highlights at JEC World 2025 and what are your expectations for the event?

M.D.: It is important for Valeo to be present at JEC World 2025. JEC is the opportunity to present our latest innovations. This year, the main highlight is the full battery system assembly displayed on Valeo’s booth, which will show our ability to assemble battery systems and produce top covers and bottom protection plates in thermoplastic as well as cross member reinforcements. Side reinforcements are clearly essential to protect batteries and pass side pole crash tests. Cross members combined with side reinforcements are optimising the cell’s volume inside the battery casing. 

All these significant evolutions are not only reducing the weight of vehicles but also improving their sustainability without compromising safety. Valeo is proud to be the first to present these innovations at JEC World 2025. We are happy to welcome you to our booth (Hall 6 – F103).

Which areas of research are currently mobilising the most investment and brainpower at Valeo?

M.D.: Research and development is at the core of Valeo’s growth strategy and our identity as a technology company. We are committed to developing new automotive technologies and finding solutions that promote safer driving and reduce the carbon footprint of mobility. As far as composite materials are concerned, the main concern is to optimise the use of thermoplastic materials and bring affordable, more sustainable products to market for mass production. This is why, at Valeo, we are working on product simulation and studying the thermoplastic pultrusion process with CQFD Composites.

Cover photo: Morgane Duhec