Echoes of Change

Lorrène Bayon has been driving sustainability at MATERI'ACT for over a year and a half as Sustainable Materials Sourcing Manager. Her role focuses on identifying and securing plastic recycled raw materials and biomass, to meet strict automotive industry standards.

A key part of Lorrène’s work is minimizing reliance on virgin materials by sourcing recycled polymers, especially polypropylene. “We avoid virgin materials, focusing instead on recycled sources to reduce resource consumption and environmental footprint,” she explains. Collaborating with an eco-system of suppliers located as close as possible to our operations helps reduce transportation emissions and strengthens sustainable practices across the value chain.

Meeting high technical requirements with recycled materials remains challenging. “It’s already difficult sometimes to meet these standards with virgin materials. Achieving them with recycled ones is even more challenging,” she shares. Despite this, Lorrène and her colleagues have begun industrializing materials to meet these specifications, advancing FORVIA’s sustainability goals.

With a background in recycling and material science, the Blue Effect has deepened her commitment to sustainability. “I see my car with new eyes now” she notes, recognizing the potential for end-of-life vehicles in a closed-loop system. She finds daily motivation in the idea that every action matters. “It’s about every small contribution working together to create real change,” she emphasizes.

As General Manager of MATERI'ACT North America, James Mazurek focuses on bringing sustainable materials into mainstream use across both automotive and non-automotive markets. Based in Auburn Hills, Michigan, he leads efforts to create and scale low-emission, high-performing materials.

One of James’s key projects is the MATERI’ACT Dallas joint venture with PCR Recycling established in February 2024 in Dallas, which ensures a steady supply of post-consumer plastics for production. “Feedstock security is critical as demand for sustainable materials grows,” he explains, highlighting the importance of reliable sourcing to meet changing market and regulatory demands. 

For James and his team, their mission extends beyond securing recycled materials to creating products that meet rigorous technical standards. Despite these challenges, Team MATERI'ACT US has started delivering, with James pointing to the work done with Stellantis to replace traditional materials with a hemp bio-composite—an example of how sustainable solutions can compete without compromising performance.

This work has also broadened James’s perspective on sustainability, further aligning with the Blue Effect . “It’s made me more aware of how different regions adapt at different paces,” he reflects, motivating him to close gaps and cultivate meaningful progress through collaboration, education, and innovation.

Clement de Gabory joined MATERI'ACT in November 2022.  As Compounds Product Line and Partnerships Manager, he builds strategic alliances that bring sustainable materials into the automotive industry.

His efforts involve forging partnerships and aligning strategies, building the right product portfolio for reducing emissions, boosting recyclability, and optimizing the value chain for minimal environmental impact. “We focus on reducing emissions and securing the value chain with local sourcing and efficient processing. Sustainability is in every decision we make,” he shares.

One of his proudest accomplishments has been developing the partnership with Veolia, which resulted in MATERI'ACT’s top-selling material, IniCycled-P. Made from post-consumer recycled waste, this material has been successfully homologated at OEMs and integrated into car interiors, demonstrating that sustainability and high performance can coexist. “Recycled materials can match virgin ones in quality. We are making that a reality,” Clement shares. By bringing IniCycled-P to market, he and his team exemplify how innovative collaborations can drive meaningful change.

For Clement, the Blue Effect extends beyond the workplace, shaping how he lives. “Knowing that what we do makes a tangible difference motivates me every day,” he says, reflecting on how his personal and professional commitment to sustainability is deeply intertwined.