To help reduce vehicle weight, Faurecia has revealed its new Skin Light Panel, an interior solution that minimizes the weight and bulk of front seating, resulting in additional space for rear passengers.
The Skin Light Panel is an integrated, single piece of 3D-sculpted mono-material polymer (polyurethane) which wraps around the rear of the front seats as an alternative to conventional grained or wrapped plastic panels. Lightweight, hard wearing and “premium to the touch”, the Skin Light Panel can be placed close to the seat frame to deliver up to 20mm more legroom for rear passengers, or more range of movement for the front seat.
Compared to traditional panels, Faurecia’s latest solution can deliver weight reductions of up to 20% compared to grained plastic and 30% compared to wrapped plastic. By reducing the weight of their respective vehicles, OEMs can increase EV range and reduce emissions from internal combustion engine vehicles. CO2 performance is enhanced, with reductions of up to 11% compared to grained back panels and 32% for wrapped plastic.
To lower its environmental impact, Faurecia’s panel is produced without using thermoforming and in a single process, reducing parts transportation, scrap processing and yield management.
The Skin Light Panel is available in several different colors and high-definition grain finishes and can be sewed directly to the seat cover without any additional parts. The sustainable solution benefits from a high scratch resistance and durability. To enhance its environmental credentials, the Skin Light is produced from a mono-material, meaning it can be recycled.
