AUTOMOTIVE | INNOVATION


Convincing car makers to


use plastics recyclate The plastics recycling industry is working on new automotive developments, ensuring quality, consistency and performance are uppermost in addressing customer needs. By David Eldridge


The announcement by Volvo Cars in June that it has set an ambitious target for using recycled plastics in its cars was a very positive move from a leading car brand. Volvo said its aim is that at least 25% of the plastics used in all its new cars sold after 2025 will be made from recycled material. Many car makers and their suppliers are increasingly incorporating more recyclate into their plastics components, but Volvo’s declaration is the biggest commitment to recycled plastics yet made by a car company. Volvo presented its decision in the context of the


debate about marine plastics litter. The group unveiled a specially built version of its XC60 T8 SUV at an ocean sustainability summit in Gothen- burg, Sweden, during a stopover by yachting competitors in the Volvo Ocean Race. The race has a sustainability focus and is a partner in the United


www.plasticsrecyclingworld.com


Nations Environment Clean Seas campaign. “Volvo Cars is committed to minimising its global environmental footprint,” said Håkan Samuelsson, President and CEO. Volvo Cars has also said it would eradicate single-use plastics from all its premises and events by the end of 2019. “Extensive recycling and reuse of plastic is vital


to our efforts to turn the tide on plastic pollution,” said Erik Solheim, Head of UN Environment. “Volvo’s move to integrate plastic waste into the design of their next fleet of cars sets a new bench- mark that we hope others in the car industry will follow. This is proof that this problem can be solved by design and innovation.” The one-off version of the XC60 T8 plug-in hybrid car looks identical to the existing model, but some of its plastic components were replaced with


Main image: Vehicle interiors require high quality recycled polymer


compounds. Photo shows Nissan Micra


July/August 2018 | PLASTICS RECYCLING WORLD 27


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