The recyclability of vehicles will be a major issue for the automotive industry in the coming years. The PSA Group and the PEUGEOT brand are committed to optimising the use of resources by integrating green or recycled materials in its vehicles produced in order to sustain recycling channels and reduce their environmental footprint.
The environmental challenge
By 2060, there will be ten billion people on earth. The OECD estimates that the use of raw materials will double to keep pace with growth, putting twice as much pressure on the environment.
As the car can have an impact on the environment through the use of natural resources and through its end-of-life recycling (recycling of scrapped vehicles), this issue has been taken into consideration by many manufacturers.
In order to exercise their social responsibility, to reduce their risk of dependency and to control production costs, car manufacturers must therefore find solutions to:
- Use materials from a responsible supply chain (respect for human rights, the environment and ethics).
- Responsible handling of end-of-life products (in particular vehicles and batteries for electric vehicles)
- Use materials compatible with the circular economy by focusing on two areas: the need to recover and recycle end-of-life vehicles and to recycle materials that are becoming scarce ;
- Use fewer natural resources that are increasingly expensive as they become scarcer;
- Eliminate hazardous substances covered by the regulations;
The integration of recycled materials in PEUGEOT vehicles
Taking these environmental impacts into account in the design of new vehicles is a major issue that has taken precedence in the design of recently launched vehicles. From the design stage, all new vehicles must include recycled materials, which are evaluated according to their manufacture and end-of-life.
The latest PEUGEOT vehicles on the market showcase the results obtained for the inclusion of recycled materials or materials from natural resources:
- Joint programs between the new PEUGEOT 208 and the new PEUGEOT 2008 have led to the shared use of recycled and natural materials in these vehicles. The new PEUGEOT 208 and 2008 have an average of respectively 30% and 31% recycled and natural materials in both vehicles. Approximately 40 parts include recycled and natural materials. These include:
- The use of natural hemp fibres for dashboard reinforcements;
- The use of recycled polypropylene on the spoilers (air under the floor, under the tank, airbag, front/rear fenders) and in the front/rear bumpers.
- The use of recycled polyamide in the wheel covers and the intake manifold, as well as in the fan-motor assembly.
- The PEUGEOT 508 has an average of 31% recycled and natural materials in the vehicle. Approximately 80 polymer parts include recycled and natural materials. Notable applications for the PEUGEOT 508 include:
- The use of natural hemp fibres in windshield defroster ducts,
- The use of recycled polypropylene in the spoilers or the spare wheel storage device.
The environmental impact of our industry remains a priority for the PEUGEOT brand, and through its latest launches, we can see that this desire is being translated into concrete achievements, since PEUGEOT vehicles today achieve record levels of use of natural and recycled materials.