The automotive industry has witnessed tremendous growth globally with over 1.5 billion vehicles in use. The growth has however had a negative impact on the environment causing global warming and affecting critical materials. In order to address these impacts and challenges, the industry is turning to plastics and composites for vehicle manufacturing.
By 2025, plastics are expected to make up 8% of a production vehicle’s total material share. The use of recycled plastics will help with reduced emissions and the rise of electric and hybrid vehicles.
The Role of Plastics is important for the Automotive Industry
Plastic plays a very important role in the automotive industry for reasons such as reducing a vehicle’s weight in order to improve the fuel efficiency, and also helps in keeping the passengers and drivers safe.The advancements in polymer technology have resulted in enhanced performance and durability and have driven the transition from metal to plastic.
Research suggests that by reducing the weight by 10%, harmful emissions can be reduced and fuel emissions can be improved by 7%.The future trends such as 3D printing and the rise of electric vehicles will further influence the use of plastics and their integration with smart technology.
Modern vehicle design has made lightweight plastics a cornerstone that contributes to lower emissions and fuel economy. Lightweight plastics provide improved fuel efficiency, enhanced design possibilities and weight savings of up to 50% compared to the metal parts.
How Recycled Plastics used in the Automotive Industry
The use of recycled plastics in the automotive industry highlights the benefits of plastic recycling, such as reducing material costs, conserving resources, and lowering environmental impact. The problems range from questions related to the quality of the recycled plastic, the price and volume of the recycled plastics produced.
PET bottles are used in the production of the luggage compartment, floors and rug fibres. For the seat covers some manufacturers combine wool and recycled plastics.
Different manufacturers incorporate plastics into different parts of their vehicles. A few examples are as follows :
Ford:
The recycled plastics are used in the passenger seat cushions to create upholstery and the seat fabric uses approximately 22 recycled plastic water bottles. For the exterior parts more than 23000 tons of recycled plastics have been used for the vehicles manufactured in North America.
Toyota Motor Corporation:
Special recyclable plastic called TSOP has been developed by Toyota Motor Corporation . TSOP is a non-conventional high performance PP along with 3 other resin compounds.
Jaguar/ Hyundai:
A new super-strong plastic is being developed in collaboration with a German agrochemical company. The new super-strong plastic is being used in the Jaguar I-Pace electric vehicle and is made by transforming the waste in pyrolysis oil in a thermochemical process.
PET bottles are also used to make seats in order to achieve the company’s sustainable goals.The Jaguar cars also include a fabric made of nylon waste from the oceans with material called Econyl which is manufactured by Aquafil.
Volvo
The interior of the Volvo SUV XC60 has a tunnel bracket made of recycled fibres and plastics which come from fishing nets and ropes. A commitment has been made by Volvo that by 2025, 25% of all the plastics will be made from recycled materials.
Trends of Plastics Recycling in the Automotive Industry
Notable shifts are visible in the recycling trends in the Plastic Waste management space and the recovery of the automotive parts. Higher recovery rates and improved quality of recycled materials is a result of enhanced automation in this space.
Many manufacturers and automakers are forming partnerships with recycling firms to streamline the recycling of automotive parts. Collaborations foster the development of recycling programs in which consumers are actively engaging and recycling initiatives are promoted. Following the trends, Volvo has ensured that at least 25% of the plastic used in the manufactured cars would be recycled in 2025 as per their UN-backed plan.
There was a 5.7% increase in vehicle production vs the previous year that was reported by the European Automobile Manufacturers Association. This totals to 85.4 million new vehicles that were produced in this year around the world. The automotive manufacturing industry has come under fire due to the annual increase in car production that is leading to negative impacts on the environment.
In the past decade the emerging question of the economic benefits of electric vehicles has also been tackled. A renewed focus on materials that can contribute to a circular economy has also been introduced.
Forecasts show an uptick in electric and hybrid technology as well as an increased interest in carpooling. The plastic industry is now set to grow with the automotive industry due to the increasing demand for solutions that are coupled with sustainable practices associated with the climate crisis.
How Banyan Nation can help in plastic recycling for a better automotive future
Banyan Nation can help in plastic recycling for a better automotive future through its plastic recycling solutions. Here’s how :
1. Providing high quality plastic
The recycled plastic granules produced meet stringent automotive industry standards. The high quality granules ensure that recycled materials can be used in critical applications without compromising performance or safety.
2. Closed-Loop recycling
Taking the end-of-life automotive components, processing them, and then using the recycled plastic to manufacture new automotive parts. Closing the loop minimizes waste and reduces the reliance on virgin plastic for the automotive industries.
3. Economic Benefits
Banyan Nation’s model creates economic opportunities by integrating informal recyclers into the supply chain. The company supports livelihoods and supports local communities by providing jobs in the automotive industry.
Conclusion
The industry is undergoing major transformations in response to the number of vehicles and the concerns regarding the negative impacts on the environment. The automotive industry is facing growing demands to now manufacture more energy efficient vehicles to tackle the strains of the supply chain and the critical material demand.
The future of this industry is being shaped by the rise of electric vehicles and a focus on the adoption of plastics. Plastics play a crucial role in this industry offering advantages of being lightweight, energy efficient, safe , durable and cost efficient.
By leveraging the expertise and technology of Banyan Nation, the automotive industry can move towards a more circular economy, enhance the sustainability credentials and reduce the environmental impact.
FAQ's
What types of plastics are used in the automotive industry?
There are around 39 different types of basic plastics that are used in the manufacturing of an automobile. 70% of the plastic that is used comes from 4 major polymers that are polypropylene, polyurethane, polyamides and PVC.
What are the environmental benefits of recycling automotive plastics?
Automotive plastic recycling is a beneficial process that helps to reduce the amount of waste created by the automotive industry. Manufacturers can also save money by not having to buy new plastic materials while also reducing the amount of pollution caused by the burning of fossil fuels. Additional benefits also include the curbing of landfill overflow, preservation of natural resources and safeguarding the environment for future generations.
How does plastics recycling support the circular economy?
The circular economy model aims to reduce waste, redesign our framework and increase resource efficiency. The framework includes plastic recycling which plays a crucial role in addressing the most pressing environmental challenges. Plastic recycling plays a role in supporting the circular economy by minimizing waste, saving resources, and fostering economic growth. Recycling of plastic proves to be very helpful in doing so by also reducing the requirement for new resources such as oil.
How is recycling plastic better than using virgin plastic in the automotive industry?
Recycling plastic over using virgin plastic in the automotive industry has several advantages. They are as follows :
- Waste Reduction : Plastic waste is diverted away from landfills reducing the burden of plastic accumulation.
- Resource conservation: Recycled plastic utilizes pre-existing materials and reduces the need for new raw materials. Natural resources are conserved while minimizing the environmental impact.
- Reduced pollution : Using recycled plastic helps mitigate pollution associated with plastic, such as air pollution, water pollution, and the plastic impact on oceans, preserving marine ecosystems.
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