(R)EVOLUTION - Pierre Burelle

Pierre Burelle – Plastics technology for lighter cars

The history of the automobile is not only written through its engines, electronic innovations and tyres, but also through the materials it is made of. In this respect, the vision of Pierre Burelle (1914–2001) proved decisive. Convinced after the war that plastics would revolutionise the automotive industry, he founded Plastic Omnium in 1946. At a time when steel still largely dominated car body design, betting on a lightweight, malleable and modern material was a bold move.

By the 1970s, the company’s work had come to fruition with the design of lightweight bodywork modules. These components, capable of replacing certain traditional metal parts, paved the way for a new industrial approach: producing lighter, more economical and more fuel-efficient vehicles. In 1980, a symbolic milestone was reached with the launch of the first plastic bumpers. This innovation quickly transformed industry standards. Bumpers, once heavy and rigid, became both more resistant to minor everyday impacts and much lighter.

This advance was not only a technical achievement; it profoundly changed the energy equation for automobiles. Reducing vehicle weight meant lower fuel consumption and, consequently, lower pollutant emissions. At a time when environmental awareness was beginning to emerge, the idea that lightness could go hand in hand with performance and respect for the environment gradually gained acceptance. The solutions developed by Plastic Omnium illustrate this logic, showing that material innovation can have a direct impact on sustainable mobility.

Over the decades, the company has continued to grow and diversify, always guided by the same conviction: weight reduction is key to the future of the automotive industry. Now renamed OPmobility, it continues to embody this pioneering spirit. Its research now focuses on electric vehicles, where every kilogram saved immediately translates into increased range and better performance. In this booming sector, the expertise acquired since the 1970s has taken on a new dimension, as it directly addresses the contemporary challenges of clean mobility and energy efficiency.

From Pierre Burelle’s founding vision to the challenges of today’s electric vehicles, OPmobility tells the story of continuous innovation. The company illustrates how a material once perceived as secondary has become a central element in the automotive revolution, transforming vehicle design, everyday use and the contribution to more environmentally friendly mobility.