Honda Motor and Nissan Motor, alongside other Japanese automakers, are actively working to develop supply chains for recycled plastic, according to Nikkei. These efforts aim to make their vehicles more environmentally friendly and comply with forthcoming European regulations.
Plastic plays a critical role in car manufacturing, being used in everything from bumpers to interior components. Under a 2023 proposal by the European Commission, new vehicles will need to incorporate at least 25% recycled plastic by 2031, with non-compliant vehicles potentially being banned from sale in the European Union.
In Japan, only about 3% of recycled plastic in 2022 was used in auto parts, according to the Tokyo-based Plastic Waste Management Institute. Japanese automakers face challenges in recycling plastics due to the complex and time-consuming process of sorting plastic components after vehicles are scrapped.
Honda plans to collaborate with chemical manufacturers and recycling companies to establish a recycled plastic supply chain by 2040. The company aims to reduce the variety of plastics used in its new vehicles by 60%, making the recycling process more efficient. For instance, Honda’s first mass-produced electric vehicle, the Honda e, utilized around 25 types of plastic.
To ensure the quality of recycled plastics for automotive use, Honda will partner with Mitsubishi Chemical Group and Toray Industries. These partnerships will focus on developing and commercializing technologies to enhance the quality of recycled plastic, ensuring it matches the strength and durability of conventional materials.
Other automakers are also pursuing recycled plastic initiatives. Nissan, in collaboration with Renault, plans to recycle plastic from scrapped electric vehicles for use in new vehicles assembled in Europe. Nissan is considering investing in Renault’s recycling unit, though details are still being finalized.
Toyota Motor has set a target to ensure that by 2030, at least 30% of the plastic in new vehicles produced in Japan and Europe is recycled. Toyota’s Land Cruiser 250 series, for example, uses seat fabric made from plastic bottles collected in-house. The C-HR small SUV, sold in Europe, features double the amount of recycled plastic compared to its predecessor.
Subaru also aims to use recycled materials for at least 25% of the plastic in new models sold globally by 2030.
Despite these efforts, higher costs remain a significant barrier to the widespread adoption of recycled plastic in automotive manufacturing. Recycled plastic can be 50% to three times more expensive than conventional plastic, potentially impacting automakers’ profitability.
To support these initiatives, the Japanese government plans to launch a public-private entity as early as September. Coordinated by the Environment Ministry, this group will include organizations such as the Japan Automobile Manufacturers Association and the Plastic Waste Management Institute. They will collaborate on the supply of recycled plastic, with the ministry considering necessary investments.
As European regulations tighten, automakers like Mercedes-Benz and BMW are also increasing their use of recycled plastic. The market for recycled automotive materials, including plastic, is projected to grow by about 60% from 2022 levels, reaching $3.9 billion by 2027, according to data from Indian research firm MarketsandMarkets.
Source asia.nikkei.com
