The technological revolution Plastic Omnium is embarking on is seeing a transformation of its product portfolio, with its center of gravity switching from mechanically-based to software-based. The Group has chosen to make this shift through cooperation, integration and the acquisition of new skills. How does innovation drive transformations in mobility? Christian Kopp: The transformation of mobility happens thanks to technological breakthroughs. Our focus in no longer on optimizing technological solutions, but on rolling out new technologies and design processes, often involving radical changes to how vehicles’ primary functions work. Where there were once a handful of electronic components, we are now seeing dozens if not hundreds of microprocessors in every car. Alexandre Corjon: Technology alone is not enough to deliver a true ecological transition. Technology is a tool that allows us to offer solutions that are financially acceptable to our end customers. This applies to batteries, where prices have fallen constantly over the past decade, and electronics, where we are identifying new components that will deliver lower costs. What technologies does Plastic Omnium believe in? C.K.: We believe that the energy transition will not happen only thanks to battery electric vehicles. This is not a onesize-fits-all solution and we believe that meeting tomorrow’s mobility challenges will require a mix of powertrains, including hydrogen and e-fuels. Plastic Omnium is taking a position today across the entire powertrain mix: ICE, hybrid, plug-in hybrid and electric, battery and hydrogen. A.C.: The choices made in Europe are not the same as the choices made in other parts of the world. Shifting to an electric car is the right thing to do if you can run it using green electricity. But this is not possible in every market. Plastic Omnium is convinced that e-fuels and hydrogen are both also vital to the success of the industry's transformation. What does it mean to be a technology partner? C.K.: Over the past 30 years, Plastic Omnium has shifted its core expertise from plastic manufacturing to its new role as a designer and producer of complex systems. This is one of the keys to our success, which is very much rooted in our ability to work with the best partners, including startups, so that we can offer the market the finest technological and industrial solutions. A.C.: At CES in Las Vegas, we showcased our partnerships with startups such as Tiamat, for developing power battery packs designed mostly for decarbonization and using alternative chemical compositions that are safer and contain no rare earth elements, Greenerwave for 4D imaging radar, and Alkalee for software architecture. What we set out to do is create bridges between these pure technology actors and our traditional customers, adapting and scaling their solutions to suit all forms of mobility. What are Plastic Omnium’s technological ambitions? C.K.: We want to become more of a systems specialist. If we take hydrogen as an example, we intend to be present across the complete value chain, everywhere from highpressure tanks, thanks to our well known expertise in filament winding, to fuel cells and fuel cell system management. The same applies to batteries, where we will be offering complete systems that we master every part of, as well as smart systems associated with cells. A.C.: Our technological advances are all aimed at making mobility safer, for instance, with 4D imaging radar and smart lighting, more attractive by using interior lighting and bodywork panels to create unique experiences. We address sustainability by investing in bio-sourced, recycled materials and integrating new functions such as photovoltaic panels, and investing in batteries, power electronics and hydrogen. And then there is software, which is fast becoming central to every vehicle for managing lighting, battery and fuel cells. How can you adopt so many technologies simultaneously? A.C.: We work according to a number of different timescales. Working with the CEA gives us access to the advanced technology needed to develop demonstrators. Working with startups allows us to set up partnerships with various levels of integration depending on their technological maturity. And acquisitions allow us to gain direct access to their technology and customer portfolios. This agility is what makes us stronger and more competitive, and allows us to meet the extremely varied needs of different actors in the mobility sector. C.K.: As well as our open innovation approach, we sometimes choose to integrate technologies, purchase components or create joint ventures. For hydrogen mobility, for example, we manufacture our own highpressure tanks and have also set up EKPO, a joint venture with ElringKlinger, to produce the fuel cells. 37
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