Why are plastics critical for the automotive industry?
Did you know that plastics are the leading material in creating transport solutions that combine high performance, safety, and minimal environmental impact? The automotive industry relies on high-quality plastics to meet rigorous design and performance needs that comply with robust environmental policies, such as the EU’s End-of-life Vehicles Regulation (ELVR).
With the average car containing between 150-200 kilograms of plastics (around 15% of its total weight), plastics help to make vehicles lighter and safer, enable electrification, and reduce overall CO2 emissions.
When developing innovative transport solutions, designers strive for the ideal balance between high material performance, safety, cost, style, comfort, fuel efficiency and environmental impact. Finding a sustainable solution with an optimal balance of all these parameters is never easy. But this is where plastics shine.
Why are plastics critical for the automotive industry?
- Plastics offer lightweight solutions in vehicles (i.e. they help to make vehicles lighter) which reduces fuel consumption by 0.2 litres per 100 km and CO₂ emissions by 10 g/km.
- This reduction in fuel consumption and greenhouse gas emissions supports the transition towards an innovative low-carbon economy in the automotive sector.
- Plastics promote responsible production and consumption by enabling the manufacture and use of electric, hybrid, and hydrogen-powered vehicles.
- Plastics also help to fulfil essential safety requirements in vehicles such as airbags, dashboards, safe bumpers, and fire safety devices. For instance, fuel tanks are made from plastics designed to be fire-resistant, reducing the fire risk in case of a leak or accident.
Many car parts that were traditionally made of metal or steel have been replaced by plastics due to their lightweight, durable, and versatile properties. Beyond their safety and environmental benefits, plastics also improve design flexibility, can have improved aesthetic appeal, and offer cost benefits for automotive companies. Plastics are used to produce car cables (including higher voltage cables for EVs), roof frames, door panels, cable dashboards, steering wheels, seat belts, car seats, airbags, automotive chassis, battery casings, lithium-ion batteries, electric car charging points, and others.
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Why are plastics used in automotive?
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Fire Safety
Lightweight
Crash Safety
Durability and corrosion resistance
Design flexibility
What are the challenges with using plastics in vehicles?
The automotive sector represents Europe’s third biggest application (end-use market) for plastics, accounting for around 4.5 million tonnes of plastics converted into automotive parts.
In 2022, the European automotive sector generated 1.6 million tonnes of plastic waste, and less than 19% of this was recycled. Findings from our Circular Economy for Plastics report also show that the automotive industry used significantly lower quantities of recycled plastic compared to other sectors such as agriculture, building and construction, packaging, etc. This partly reflects the high performance, safety and quality standards that automotive plastics need to meet.
That’s why Plastics Europe advocates for ambitious regulations that can lead to better eco-design of cars, improved vehicle waste management, and increased use of recycled materials.
In the ELV regulation, for example, we are calling for a 20% recycled content target with a 5% on-top target for circular plastics to increase the circularity of automotive plastics This will help ensure that the plastics currently used in automotive can be collected, reused, and recycled.
Our key policy recommendations for the End-of-life vehicles Regulation
Plastics Europe supports the high level of ambition shown by the European Commission in the End-of-life vehicles Regulation proposal, as the automotive sector represents the third biggest application for plastics in Europe. We believe an ambitious, binding legislative target for recycled content in automotive plastics is needed to ensure that the benefits of plastics are continued in a circular system.
The Plastics Transition
Discover The Plastics Transition Roadmap and join us in our journey towards a sustainable future. By collaborating across the value chain, we can achieve lasting positive change and ensure the European plastics industry remains a strategic asset for generations to come.
About Plastics Europe
Plastics Europe is the pan-European association of plastics manufacturers, representing close to 100 members producing over 90% of all polymers across Europe. For over 100 years, science and innovation have been at the core of our industry. We are committed to openly engaging with stakeholders and delivering safe, circular, and sustainable solutions.