How carmakers are using recycled materials in modern cars

As carmakers look to reduce the environmental impact of vehicle production, recycled materials are becoming increasingly common in modern vehicles. Plastic bottles, fishing nets, discarded textiles and recycled metals are now being used in seats, carpets, interior trims and even parts of the vehicle structure. 

However, recycling automotive materials is not always straightforward. In many cases, materials recovered from scrapped vehicles are downcycled into lower-grade applications rather than being reused in new vehicles.

Ahead of World Environment Day on June 5, here's a look at how manufacturers are putting these materials to use.

Plastic bottles are being turned into seats and carpets

Polyethylene terephthalate (PET), the plastic commonly used in beverage bottles, is now widely used for seat fabrics, carpets, floor mats and headliners. Mahindra uses recycled PET-based materials in the BE 6 and XEV 9e, while Mercedes-Benz incorporates them into upholstery and interior trim in several EQ models. The Skoda Enyaq, Audi Q4 e-tron and Audi A3 also use PET-derived materials in their seats and floor coverings, while Hyundai, Kia and Polestar have adopted similar materials across various interior components.

Fishing nets are finding a second life inside cars

Discarded fishing nets and marine plastic waste are being converted into nylon yarns for carpets, floor mats and trim pieces. BMW uses these materials in models such as the iX and X1, while Jaguar Land Rover incorporates ECONYL nylon in floor mats and interior trim. Hyundai, Kia and Polestar also use recycled fishing-net material, and Volkswagen uses SEAQUAL yarn made from marine plastic waste in seat upholstery and floor coverings. 

Recycled metals are being used in vehicle structures

Image credit: SL Recycling

The use of recycled materials extends beyond the cabin. BMW incorporates recycled aluminium in the iX, while Volvo says the EX30 contains recycled aluminium and steel in several components. Renault also uses recycled metals in the Scenic E-Tech. Audi is also working on closed-loop recycling projects that aim to recover automotive-grade steel, aluminium, plastics and glass for reuse in vehicle production.

Textile waste is being used for cabin trims

Image credit: Volvo

Discarded textiles are also being repurposed for vehicle interiors. Volvo uses recycled denim fibres, recycled polyester and recycled plastics in seat upholstery and interior trim components. MINI uses recycled textile surfaces on the dashboard and door panels of the latest Cooper and Countryman. Mercedes-Benz, Renault and Nissan also use recycled fabrics in various cabin applications.

Paper fibres and cork are finding their way into cabins

Image credit: HZ Cork

Manufacturers are also experimenting with alternative materials for interior components. The Hyundai Ioniq 5 uses door materials derived from recycled paper fibres, while Citroen says the e-C3 incorporates recycled and bio-sourced materials in selected trim and upholstery components. Polestar, meanwhile, uses recycled cork in certain interior trim pieces.

Paint is becoming more sustainable

Image credit: BMW

Sustainability efforts are extending beyond seats and interior trim. BMW uses paints made from biomass-derived raw materials in place of some crude oil-based ingredients, while Hyundai's Ioniq 5 uses bio-based paint derived partly from plant-based sources. Both approaches reduce reliance on conventional petroleum-derived materials during vehicle production.

Recycled rubber is returning to vehicles

Rubber from end-of-life automotive components is also finding its way back into new vehicles. Toyoda Gosei, a major Toyota supplier, now uses recycled rubber in weatherstrips for the Toyota RAV4. Tyre manufacturers such as Bridgestone, Yokohama and Continental are also increasing the use of recycled rubber and other reclaimed materials in tyre production.