The Role of Sustainability in the Automotive Plastics Market
Chemicals, Materials, & Energy | GVR
GVR research reports provide SWOT analysis & valuable insights across chemicals, materials, and energy industries.
The automotive industry, a significant contributor to global greenhouse gas emissions, is going through a paradigm shift toward sustainability. One key area of focus is reducing vehicle weight, which directly impacts fuel economy, performance, and environmental impact. Plastic, a versatile and lightweight material, has emerged as a game-changer. Manufacturers can significantly enhance vehicles' overall performance and sustainability by strategically incorporating plastic components. In addition, the recycled plastics market is vital in strategizing a sustainable future for the automotive industry.
Automotive Plastics and its Indispensable Role in Automotive Manufacturing
Plastics have become integral to modern vehicles, offering numerous advantages over traditional materials like steel and aluminum. Their lightweight properties contribute significantly to fuel efficiency and reduced emissions. Additionally, plastics provide unparalleled design flexibility, enabling complex shapes and intricate components that enhance vehicle aesthetics and functionality.
However, plastics are seen as the biggest villain of the environment. Will this image change in the coming years? Will the automotive plastics market be able to grow and contribute to environmental sustainability? Will biodegradable plastics emerge as a game changer? Let's find out.
Explore this detailed report on the automotive plastics market.
The Sustainability Imperative
The automotive industry is under immense pressure to reduce its environmental impact. Stringent regulations, growing consumer awareness, and the emergence of electric vehicles (EVs) are accelerating the demand for sustainable solutions. Plastics, once considered a major contributor to pollution, are now evolving as a key player in pursuing a greener future. Innovations such as biodegradable plastics and bioplastics are filling the gaps between manufacturers and sustainability.
Both the biodegradable plastics market and the bioplastics market are investing aggressively in the R&D of new and effective products. For instance, in February 2024, Balrampur Chini Mills Limited (BCML), one of the leading sugar mills in India, announced the creation of the country's first-ever bioplastic plant. The company is supposed to invest USD 238.5 million for this project, with an estimated production of 75,000 tons of Polylactic Acid (PLA), a type of bioplastic.
The Role of Sustainability
Like any other industry, the automotive industry is also embracing sustainability. With the technological advancements the plastic market has incorporated, both industries are anticipated to work harmoniously toward a sustainable future. Here's how the implementation of automotive plastics is saving the environment.
Helps create lightweight vehicles
The eco-light design trend emphasizes using lightweight materials in vehicle manufacturing. A lightweight vehicle helps increase fuel efficiency in petrol/diesel cars and driving range in EVs. Plastic is significantly lighter than traditional materials like steel or aluminum. Replacing heavy metal components with plastic can substantially reduce a vehicle's weight. A lighter vehicle requires less energy to accelerate and maintain speed, leading to improved fuel economy and reduced emissions.
Research published on Researchgate by Alan I. Taub and Gregory A. Keoleian states, 'A useful industry guideline for light vehicles is that a 10% weight reduction generates a 6% improvement in fuel economy, or for electric vehicles, a 14% driving range increase.'
Incorporation of recycled plastics
Incorporating plastics in cars is a significant step towards sustainable automotive manufacturing. However, using recycled plastics is the need of the hour to create a lesser impact on the environment and a circular economy. The evolution of recycled plastics reduces the need for virgin plastics production, which is an energy-intensive process. This further leads to lower greenhouse gas emissions and a smaller carbon footprint.
Recommended by LinkedIn
Ford, one of the leading vehicle manufacturers, uses 1.2 billion plastic bottles annually and turns them into vehicle parts.
Initiatives Taken by Industry Giants
As we adopt a sustainable circular economy, Asahi Kasei, one of the top chemicals and materials manufacturers, has developed a chemical to extract polyamide 66 from scrape vehicles. Dr. Yasuhisa Ichihashi, who is aiming to implement efficient chemical recycling of polyamide 66, mentions this in the report.
"There are three ways to reduce the environmental impact of the plastics manufacturing process: mechanical recycling, chemical recycling, and bioplastics." He continues to say, "Then, there is chemical recycling. As material is purified at the molecular level, even dirty material and composites from scrap cars can be cleanly extracted. Theoretically, this method can produce the same physical properties as 100% virgin material, and materials can be used multiple times for quality, high-performance vehicle parts. These are its great advantages. However, the separation and purification processes have been somewhat energy-intensive, making this method less effective than mechanical recycling at reducing GHG emissions. Initial investments in plant construction have also been costly."
Even the European Union's 2023 mandate mentioned that vehicle manufacturers must ensure that by 2030, 25% of the plastic used in vehicles must be recycled.
A Step Toward Sustainable Future
Plastic has become an indispensable material in the automotive industry, revolutionizing vehicle design and engineering. By leveraging its lightweight properties, design flexibility, and durability, manufacturers can create vehicles that are not only fuel-efficient but also safer, more affordable, and environmentally friendly. As technology advances, we can expect to see even more innovative plastic applications, further driving the development of sustainable and high-performance automobiles.
Furthermore, by embracing plastic innovation and prioritizing sustainable practices, the automotive industry can contribute significantly to a greener future while delivering cutting-edge vehicles that meet consumers' evolving needs.
Other Related Reports: