RECYCLABLE POLYPROPYLENE IN ELECTRIC AND HYBRID VEHICLES

OBJECTIVES

• Research and formulate a new, fully recyclable, lightweight, thermoplastic material with high thermal insulation capacity for the cooling pipes of electric vehicles.
• Facilitate the entry of products with a smaller environmental footprint to replace critical and key materials for the Basque Country in collaboration with large car manufacturers.
• Reduce the thermal losses of the cooling line by up to 10%, thus increasing the autonomy of the batteries and extending their useful life.
• Reduce the use of virgin raw materials by up to 30%.

RESULTS

• New material based on polypropylene (PP), specifically formulated for electric vehicle cooling lines, which competitively meets the objectives set.
• Savings of more than 6,200 tonnes of CO₂ equivalent emissions per year, considering all phases of the product cycle.
• Savings of 10% in raw materials consumed in production, with a cost saving of 15%.
• 10% increase in market share forecast within three years.

CONCLUSIONS

PLASTIFICA's success has enabled a new fully recyclable thermoplastic material based on PP that is lightweight and with high thermal insulation capacity for the cooling pipes of electric and hybrid vehicles to be researched, formulated and implemented, replacing rubber and thus contributing to minimising the use of key materials and compliance with the legal requirements of the automotive sector.