This content is sponsored
The automotive industry is amongst the most important sectors of polymers. Only packaging and building & construction is more important. For this reason, the automotive industry has a huge effect on the demand for polymers and what trends are most likely to happen within this sector. Just think about how much plastic there is in cars, trucks and other vehicles. From profiles for trucks, gasket profiles to the interior of the car.
The role of plastic
Plastic has never been more important than it currently is. It is essential in cars where regulations and consumer habits are increasing the demand for cars that are lightweight, fuel-efficient and more affordable. Due to fuel prices that are increasing and concerns about the environment fuel efficiency is now one of the most important factors in vehicle design. Combining this with an increased demand in vehicles due to disposable income that is increasing across the world the demand for polymers is also increasing.
Cars consist of a lot of plastic. On average there are 30.000 parts in a car and 10.000 of these are plastic. Furthermore around 40 different types of plastics are used when manufacturing an automobile. There are however four polymers that are used much more than other types and that is PVC, polyamides, polyurethane and polypropylene.
There is no doubt that plastics are a key part of a car and that plastics will only increasingly become more and more important. The current trends are that plastics that are only used one time are becoming more and more looked down upon because of the environment but plastics in cars and other vehicles are an important solution to many of the different challenges that vehicle manufactures face.
A question that many have is whether the increase in electric cars and EV’s will have an effect on the demand of plastics in the automotive industry. This does however not look like to be the case as electric vehicles also use a lot of polymers in their production and therefore only will carry the demand for plastics on.
Plastics are not great for nature when they end up in nature. But when producing cars and vehicles where the plastic will not end up in nature it is a great choice of material. Plastic can be used for many different things and there are many different variations of plastics meaning they can be used for many different specific needs.
The future of plastics
There are many great things happening in the world of plastics. Through innovation and interests, a lot of good innovations are happening. Here are four examples of exciting innovations happening with plastics as we speak.
1. Tennis shoes made from plastic
Plastics are being innovated upon and many new types of plastics come to light on a daily basis. This has led to Adidas making the announcement that they will release a shoe that is made purely from recycled ocean plastic. It’s Adidas so the shoe will most likely look super nice, but since it will be made from recycled ocean plastic it will also do good for the environment. Adidas has said they will produce 1 million of these shoes which will save the ocean from 11 million plastic bottles.
2. Beauty packaging made on recycled plastic
Beauty packaging is almost always plastic and this industry uses massive amounts of plastic each year. Therefore it is exciting news that it is now becoming more common that the beauty industry will use recycled plastic for their packaging.
3. 3D Printed braces
An undergrad from New Jersey has created a beautiful pair of braces from plastic with a 3d printer and this is becoming more common. It allows for creativity and cheap braces and is therefore a very exciting concept.
4. Plastic waste being turned into oil
Plastic is made from crude oil. But after it has been used we often have a difficult time getting rid of it. Some end up in nature and some end up at massive recycling plants. A technology company is, however, currently working on a machine that is able to turn used plastic back into oil. That would be super helpful for getting rid of used plastics.
That was just four of the many exciting innovations that currently are happening in the plastic industry. Plastic is a special material that could be the solution to many of the different challenges we are facing regarding the environment. While there is no doubt that plastic has a bad reputation amongst a lot of people it can be a both great and sustainable material. As long as we make sure it does not end up in nature and make the plastics that have a tendency to end up in nature biodegradable, then plastics will have a bright future.
