Recycling plastics in automotive components extends the value stream, but at what cost?

Metal-to-plastic conversions are happening throughout the vehicle from interior and exterior parts to under-the-hood components and fuel systems, as automotive OEMs look for any ounce of weight savings they can squeeze out. And that means more opportunities for polymer technologies. “Already the third largest sector of U.S. manufacturing in dollar value of shipments, plastics in the automotive industry will continue to grow as new materials are utilized in design. Carbon-fiber-reinforced plastics(CFRP) usage in vehicle will increase from 3,400 tons in 2013 to 9,800 tons in 2030,” said the SPI report, Automotive Recycling: Devalued Is Now Revalued , noting that this will also mean new recycling opportunities.