The automotive industry is taking increasingly decisive steps towards sustainability. And this is not only noticeable in the consumption and emissions of engines, but also in the components that are chosen for the bodywork and passenger compartment of cars. In this sense, at Plásticos Alser we contribute to providing large manufacturers with the recycled plastic that is essential in their different models.
Why is there recycled plastic in cars?
First of all, plastic is nowadays fundamental in almost any industry. In the automotive industry, it provides endless possibilities for designers of interiors and exterior structures. Plastic in its various composites is a very malleable material that can be adapted to any shape that comes to mind.
In addition, it is a light and strong material, so it does not add significant extra weight to the vehicle and can withstand the use that most of us give to our personal vehicles.
These characteristics remain intact when it comes to recycled plastics. If they are properly treated as we do at Plásticos Alser, these compounds do not lose any of their properties and can live several lives without having to end up as waste dumped in nature.
The work of the brands
In their commitment to sustainability in all aspects of their work, the major carmakers have been gradually increasing the levels of recycled plastic in their vehicles.
It was striking that a giant such as Ford announced not long ago that each of its models has a total of 250 recycled plastic bottles, which means that some 1.2 billion bottles are put to new use each year.
Volvo said that by 2025 recycled plastic would account for 25% of the total amount used to manufacture its models and Opel has been integrating this material since 1990, with the volume growing year by year with the introduction of each new model. Similarly, other car brands such as Renault, Volkswagen, PSA-Citroën are also applying sustainability policies in both materials and car manufacturing processes.
Where do you get recycled plastic for cars?
Here there are several sources that companies like Plásticos Alser have to take into account. The first of all is the vehicles themselves that have finished their useful life, and there are official regulations that require the recovery of up to 95% of all the compounds that are part of these vehicles, including plastics, of course.
But other sources are also used. Bottles, utensils or containers that have been used in their time and are recycled can have a new life on the dashboard of new vehicles leaving the dealership and in any other of its parts, something that makes a brand new vehicle a commitment to sustainability.
In short, recycled plastics such as those treated by Plásticos Alser are becoming more and more essential in vehicles all over the world. The interest of the firms in this demonstrates it, all to achieve those levels of sustainability that the whole industry is looking for together.
End-of-life vehicles are extracting outgoing plastic material which can then be applied and remanufactured into parts with materials such as Polypropylene Flake, Polypropylene 10% Talc, Polypropylene Flake 30% Talc, Polypropylene with glass fibre…. While other materials such as PA6, Polyamide 66, ABS – Acrylonitrile Butadiene Butadiene Styrene, PC, POM,… also present in the automobile, are not well segregated or the little that is separated is of poor final polymeric quality. So there is still a pending issue of circular economy.
