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Valeo Canopy™

Valeo Canopy™ launches as the first Valeo wiper blade designed to limit its environmental impact without compromising performance.

Introducing Canopy™

Valeo is launching a wiper blade created differently, with the obsession of reducing the environmental impact without compromising performance. A more sustainable* wiper blade validated with a life cycle analysis certified by Bureau Veritas, one of the world's leading independent certification bodies.

Canopy CO2 Reduction
Certified by Bureau Veritas in 2024

 

How are we turning ambition into reality?

With humility and precision, Valeo works with a global approach on every aspect from the selection of raw materials to the 100% cardboard packaging.

Canopy Wiping Performance

Excellent Wiping Performance Over Time

A unique combination of rubbers to get the most of each type of material, replacing most of the petroleum-based elements with more sustainable* materials.

Canopy Rubber

A More Sustainable* Rubber Compound

Over 80% of the materials used in the Canopy wiper blade are natural, renewable, or recycled. The natural rubber derived from Hevea trees, synthetic rubber produced from sugar cane and vegetable oils, and recycled tires.

Natural rubber derived from Hevea trees

Synthetic rubber made from sugar cane and vegetable oils

Canopy Wiper Sustainable Matierals

A Wiper Made from Recycled Materials

Metal splines with up to 15% recycled steel

End clips with up to 50% recycled plastic

Limited Adaptor Waste

Flat Blade includes one pre-mounted adaptor

Limited adaptor waste compared to other wiper blades

Easy to fit

Canopy Packaging

100% Cardboard Packaging

Made with more than 90% recycled cardboard

Printed with solvent-free water-based inks

Fully Recyclable

 

In a nutshell, Canopy™ is the 1st Valeo Wiper using more sustainable* materials. A range of Flat Blades covering 90% of the North American Vehicles in Operation.

 

36 part numbers for Original Equipment Flat Blades: Each part number includes one pre-mounted adaptor for vehicles equipped with Original Equipment Flat Blades

9 part numbers for Standard Wipers: Each part number includes one pre-mounted hook adaptor for vehicles equipped with standard wipers

High North American carparc coverage: Covers 90% of vehicles, including applications equipped with wet arms, newer Mercedes applications, and leading electric & electrified vehicles

*Our product is more sustainable compared with Valeo's previous flat blade range thanks to increased use of natural, recycled, or renewable materials.

Canopy™ Installation

Did You Know?

To make Canopy wiper blade more sustainable*, Valeo teams worked on three approaches:

1st Reduction of Oil-Based Materials

Valeo focused on using renewable materials not usually utilized, such as natural rubber, vegetable oils, and sugar cane. They increased the use of recycled materials, up to 15% in the Complete Canopy wiper blade compared to 0% in usual wiper blades. This includes materials like recycled tires, recycled metal, and recycled plastics. Additionally, they increased the use of "Natural" non-fossil materials such as calcium oxide and silica, which constitute 5% of the Canopy rubber compound.

2nd Reduction of the Carbon Footprint

The Canopy wiper blade achieves a -53% savings on CO2 emissions. This reduction is attributed to the wiper blade and packaging assembly and the selection of materials from sustainable sources, such as natural rubber from PEFC certified rubber plantations.

3rd Use of Fully Recyclable Packaging

Valeo's Canopy wiper blade uses packaging made from more than 90% recycled cardboard material.

Project Development Milestones

Analysis and Brainstorming

Valeo analyzed the materials used in their current Premium wiper blades and packaging, followed by brainstorming sessions to explore ways to reduce the carbon footprint.

Team Setup

Four dedicated project teams were established, focusing on Advanced Development projects, R&D, Quality, Purchasing, and Marketing.

Ideas and Actions

These teams generated ideas and took actions to reduce the use of oil-based materials and the carbon footprint in rubber, metal, plastic, and packaging.

Development and Validation

The new rubber compound was developed and validated using fewer virgin oil-based materials. Valeo investigated new suppliers of raw materials and validated new plastics, including those with up to 50% recycled content. Additionally, they investigated and validated the use of recycled cardboard materials for packaging.

Certification and Validation

Bureau Veritas, one of the world's leading certification bodies, validated that the new Valeo CANOPY FlatBlade range, with its specific rubber packaged in a cardboard box, enables a CO2e emission reduction of 454 g per wiper blade (-53%)* compared to Valeo's previous flat blade range with synthetic rubber and packaged in plastic sleeves.

*Weighted average based on LCAs (Scope 1, 2, and 3 upstream) done on three wiper blade lengths: 350mm, 600mm, and 750mm.

A Sustainable Composition

Valeo Canopy wipers feature a rubber compound composed of over 80% natural, renewable, or recycled materials. This includes 56% renewable materials, 19% recycled materials, and 5% natural/mineral materials.

Enhanced Sustainability

Compared to standard Valeo's previous flat blade range, which contain less than 3% sustainable materials, the Canopy wiper blade’s rubber compound is made with over 80% sustainable materials.

Durability and Performance

Despite the high content of sustainable materials, Valeo Canopy wiper blades maintain exceptional durability and wiping quality. A series of rigorous tests were conducted to validate their performance in real-world conditions, including:

  • Initial Wipe Quality
  • Durability
  • Slam Down Test
  • Ozone Resistance
  • Chemical Resistance
  • Permanent Set
  • Noisiness

Confirmed Performance

These tests confirm that Valeo Canopy wipers provide the same high level of wiping performance as other Valeo previous flat blade ranges.

Wiping Performance in Real Conditions

Valeo Canopy wiper blades offer a premium wiping performance. To assess and validate the wiping efficiency, Valeo has defined a round of tests for all wiper ranges. These standard tests, performed through hundreds of cycles, measure the wiping performance in real conditions. The tests include:

  • Initial Wipe Quality
  • Durability
  • Slam Down Test
  • Ozone Resistance
  • Chemical Resistance
  • Permanent Set
  • Noisiness

The results confirm that Valeo Canopy wipers provide the same high level of wiping performance as other Valeo previous flat blade ranges.

Canopy Life Cycle Analysis

The life cycle analysis conducted by Valeo, verified by Bureau Veritas, shows a -53% CO2 emissions reduction compared to Valeo's previous flat blade ranges. This comparison is based on Life Cycle Assessments (LCAs) performed by Valeo on both products, using the same hypothesis and database.

Verification Process

The verification process involves five steps:

  1. Review of LCAs: According to ISO 14040 and ISO 14044 standards.
  2. Verification of Carbon Footprint (CFP) Value: According to ISO 14067 requirements.
  3. Comparison of CFP Value: Considering the uncertainty of calculations.
  4. Material Reduction Verification: Through mass measurement.
  5. Verification of Significant Environmental Aspect: According to ISO 14040.

The new Valeo CANOPY FlatBlade range, with the new Valeo-specific rubber and packaged in a cardboard box, enables a CO2e emission reduction of 454g per wiper blade (-53%) compared to a Valeo previous flat blade range with synthetic rubber and packaged in plastic sleeves.

*Weighted average based on Life Cycle Analysis (Scope 1, 2, and 3 upstream) performed on three wiper blade lengths: 350mm, 600mm, and 750mm.*

What is Life Cycle Assessment?

Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) is an evaluation method recognized by ISO standards since 1997. It quantifies the environmental impacts of a product, service, or process, ensuring sustainable development.

Making Use of Recycled Material

The use of cardboard packaging for Valeo Canopy wiper blades is part of Valeo Service's Sustainability strategy to reduce the use of single-use plastic in packaging. Valeo Canopy packaging is made with more than 90% recycled cardboard materials, printed with water-based inks (solvent-free), and fully recyclable.