July 21, 2025 –
Automotive Plastics Revolution: How Recycled PP is Driving EU’s Circular Car Vision
The European automotive industry is undergoing a materials transformation as strict new sustainability regulations take effect. Under revised End-of-Life Vehicle (ELV) directives taking effect in 2030, vehicle manufacturers must incorporate minimum 20% recycled plastics in new cars – with a quarter specifically sourced from retired automobiles. This regulatory shift is fundamentally altering how automakers and material suppliers approach plastic components.
French compounder Benvic is emerging as a key player in this transition, developing specialized recycled polypropylene (rPP) formulations that meet automotive performance standards. “We’re bridging the gap between sustainability and engineering requirements,” said Benvic’s automotive solutions director. Their rPP compounds maintain critical mechanical properties while achieving consistent color and low VOC emissions – crucial for interior applications.
The industry faces multiple challenges in this transition:
• Developing closed-loop recycling systems for automotive plastics
• Maintaining material performance with higher recycled content
• Sourcing sufficient high-quality recycled feedstock
• Meeting aesthetic requirements without compromising sustainability
Benvic’s approach combines post-consumer packaging waste with advanced stabilization packages, creating what they term “upcycled engineering plastics.” This innovative sourcing helps address the limited availability of automotive-grade recycled material. For visible components, their Plantura biobased polymer line offers an alternative with superior surface finish and UV resistance.
“Traditional plastic selection criteria no longer apply,” noted an AsiaMB industry analyst. “Automakers now evaluate materials through three lenses: performance, cost, and circularity.” This shift requires earlier collaboration between OEMs and material suppliers to design for disassembly and recyclability from the outset.
The regulatory push is accelerating development of new material technologies. Chemical recycling is gaining traction for difficult-to-recycle composites, while advanced sorting technologies promise higher purity recycled streams. As the 2030 deadline approaches, experts predict more automakers will adopt Benvic’s model of combining mechanical recycling with biobased alternatives to meet targets.