Valeo Group | 29 Jun, 2023
| 6 min
Valeo launches Canopy, the first wiper blade designed to reduce CO2 emissions
As part of Valeo's CAP 50 plan to reduce the carbon footprint of its entire value chain, Valeo Service, a Valeo entity dedicated to after-sales activities, is committed to gradually reduce the impact of automotive after-sales activities on the environment and supports its professional partners in their efforts to contribute to a more sustainable aftermarket.
Valeo is launching Canopy, the first wiper designed to reduce CO2 emissions by 61% compared to a Valeo wiper blade representative of the majority of wiper blades commercialized in the European market*. A performance verified by Bureau Veritas, an independent organization.
Valeo Canopy’s rubber blade is made of more than 80% natural, renewable or recycled materials such as cane sugar, vegetable oils or carbon black from recycled tires.
An increased share of recycled material is used in other components of Canopy wiper blades with up to 15% recycled steel in the metal structures and up to 50% recycled plastic in the end clips.
The Valeo Canopy range of wiper blades is delivered ready to use without unnecessary adapters to be thrown away while offering great ease of assembly. It covers 95% of the vehicles in the European fleet.
Valeo doesn’t stop there; Canopy comes in a 100% cardboard packaging, fully recyclable and printed with solvent-free water-based inks.
In addition to this action on the specific Valeo Canopy range, Valeo is committed to eliminating single-use plastic packaging from all its wiper blade ranges by the end of 2024 in Europe, replacing them with more sustainable cardboard solutions.
Finally, with Canopy, Valeo promotes the industry and jobs in Europe since it is manufactured in the Valeo plant in Issoire (France), from which already originates the majority of Valeo wipers for the European market. The site is particularly committed to an energy efficiency plan for more than 10 years and certified “Energy Management” by the ISO 50001 label.
Marlène Carrias-Iked, VP Strategic Marketing, Digital & Innovation – Valeo Service: “As part of its ‘I Care 4 the Planet’ program, Valeo is launching with Canopy, its first aftermarket innovation designed to significantly reduce environmental impact. This offer responds to an increasing demand for sustainability among consumers. Valeo Canopy windshield wipers are scheduled to go on sale in Europe starting this summer in order to be ready for the rainy season.“
* The Valeo Canopy Flat Blade, with a specific rubber and packaged in cardboard box enables a CO2 emission reduction of 61% compared to a Valeo Flat Blade product representative of the majority of commercialized wiper blades in the European market, produced in Asia, with a synthetic rubber and marketed in a plastic packaging.
