Chemical company LyondellBasell and car manufacturer Audi have produced a car part made from mixed automotive plastics.
Audi is going to install plastic seatbelt buckle covers in its new Q8 e-tron electric car, which is made using LyondellBasell chemical recycling technology.
Plastic components from end-of-life vehicles are shredded and then processed by chemical recycling into pyrolysis oil. This is then used as a raw material for new plastics that are of virgin-like quality. The recycled content is attributed to Audi via a mass balance approach.
LyondellBasell advanced polymer solutions new business development director Erik Licht said: “As part of the PlasticLoop project, we are working with Audi to establish an innovative closed-loop process, recycling plastic automotive parts for use in new vehicles.
“For the first time, we are using chemical recycling to recycle mixed automotive plastic waste into plastic granulate for automotive interior applications. The plastic granulate is then used in the production of the seatbelt buckle covers for the Audi Q8 e-tron.”
Audi project manager for circular economy in the supply chain Philipp Eder added: “Audi’s vision is to use secondary materials wherever it is technically possible, economically viable and ecologically beneficial.
“The PlasticLoop project is part of Audi’s circular economy strategy and a good example of cross-sector co-operation within the Audi supply chain. Findings from the project are also incorporated into the product development of future vehicle projects via the ‘Design for Recycling’ approach.”
