SALIENT: driving advances in safer, greener vehicle design

Funded under Horizon Europe and managed by CINEA, SALIENT has shown how advanced materials and circular design can make vehicles lighter, safer, and more sustainable – a key aspect of the EU’s Automotive Action Plan released earlier this year.

Its completion comes as the European Commission published the 2024 EU road safety statistics on 17 October 2025, showing that 19,940 people lost their lives in road crashes across the EU – a 2% decrease compared with 2023. While progress continues, the pace remains too slow to meet the EU’s target of halving road deaths by 2030 and achieving “Vision Zero” by 2050.

Against this backdrop, SALIENT’s results demonstrate how innovation in design and materials can contribute to Europe’s road safety ambitions while advancing the circular economy and reducing emissions.

A collaborative European effort

Coordinated by the Automotive Technology Centre of Galicia (CTAG) in Spain, the project brought together research institutions, industrial partners, and technology specialists from across Europe. This collaboration bridged the gap between computer simulations and full-scale crash testing, turning advanced research into practical, validated solutions.

Designing the front line of vehicle safety

At the heart of the project lies a rethinking of the front-end structure (FES) – the part of a vehicle that absorbs impact during a collision. SALIENT developed two new FES designs, one made of aluminium and the other of carbon-fibre-reinforced polymer (CFRP). These lightweight structures combine superior crash energy absorption with reduced environmental impact, proving that sustainability and safety can reinforce one another.

Key results at a glance

Circularity built in

Beyond technical design, SALIENT has delivered an Ecodesign Guide for the Automotive Industry, offering a framework for embedding circular-economy principles from the earliest stages of product development. The guide covers material choice, component reuse, modularity, and end-of-life strategies – helping manufacturers align with the European Green Deal and the EU Circular Economy Action Plan.

“SALIENT shows that vehicle safety and sustainability can advance together. By rethinking materials and design, the project delivers solutions that help save lives while reducing environmental impact,” says Raquel LEDO BAÑOBRE, Project Coordinator, SALIENT

Ready for the vehicles of tomorrow

SALIENT’s work anticipates the challenges of automated and connected vehicles, validating its safety concepts for both current and future traffic scenarios. As mobility systems evolve, the project’s innovations ensure that crash performance keeps pace with technological change.

Looking forward

As Europe reflects on the 2024 road safety statistics, SALIENT’s completion is a timely reminder that innovation saves lives. The project proves that lightweight, recyclable, and high-performance structures are not a future ambition but an attainable standard today.

With its results, SALIENT supports the EU’s Vision Zero ambition and strengthens Europe’s leadership in clean and safe transport technologies – helping to translate European research investment into tangible results for citizens and industry alike.

MORE INFORMATION

• CORDIS project factsheet: SALIENT
• SALIENT project website
• SALIENT project video: meet the final story