In a breakthrough for sustainable automotive manufacturing, Toyoda Gosei Co., Ltd, Japan, has successfully commercialized a new technology that recycles plastics from end-of-life vehicles (ELVs) for use in the production of new cars. This marks a significant step toward a circular economy in the automotive industry, with the latest Toyota Camry models, produced in Japan and sold across European markets, already incorporating these recycled parts into their design.
Announced earlier this year, Toyoda Gosei’s innovative recycling process focuses on recovering high-quality plastic materials from ELVs to produce components with performance characteristics comparable to new plastics. Unlike traditional recycling methods that rely primarily on thermal processes to eliminate impurities, Toyoda Gosei, in collaboration with partner Isono Co., utilises advanced “reforming technology.” This includes techniques such as paint film removal and material blending to create recycled polypropylene containing up to 50% ELV-derived content.
This achievement represents the world’s first commercialization of interior car parts made with such a high proportion of ELV-sourced plastics. Notably, these recycled materials are already being used in the Toyota Camry’s glove box and the internal structure of the front grille.
Looking ahead, Toyoda Gosei plans to expand this technology to recycle plastics from automobile shredder residue (ASR) and consumer goods, especially in response to tightening regulations under the EU’s End-of-Life Vehicles Directive.
The environmental impact is also substantial: using these recycled plastics can reduce carbon dioxide emissions by up to 40%. Hiromi Hyuga, Chief of the IE Business Division at Toyoda Gosei, emphasized the broader vision, stating, “We will contribute to the industry-wide circular economy and decarbonization.”
This development highlights the increasing momentum within the automotive industry to adopt eco-friendly innovations and establish sustainable supply chains.
Source JARA news, June 2025, No. 208
