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In the 1960’s, new discoveries in the field of polymers made it possible to develop thermosetting polymers such as polypropylene, a type of plastic commonly applied in modern vehicles. Its numerous mechanical properties, light weight, and the fact that it is 100% recyclable mean that polypropylene now makes up 40% of all plastics used in the automotive sector.

The fight against climate change requires global engagement. Of course, the automotive industry plays a leading role in this issue. Government regulations are forcing a deep transformation of industrial processes, and according to many analysts, this, instead of a transition, signifies a true revolution for the automotive sector. Electric vehicles or vehicles largely built out of plastics were considered a rarity just a few years ago, but now, they are a reality, and at the same time, a priority for carmakers determining how competitive they are on the market.

Similarly to previous years, the automotive industry’s efforts in 2019 were focused on reducing the weight of car parts for the purpose of improving their energy efficiency (it is predicted that this trend will persist in the coming years). This means lower fuel consumption by combustion engines and greater range for electrical vehicles. This goal can be achieved by applying lighter materials, such as thermoplastics, and particularly expanded polypropylene (EPP), whose applications are increasing with every passing year.

The widespread application of plastics in the automotive industry does not just enable manufacturing of lighter and more energy-saving vehicles, it also makes them safer. As manufacturers fine-tune designs and introduce new materials, prejudices like “the stiffer, the safer” are eliminated. In this sense, the role of thermoplastics like expanded polypropylene (EPP) and expanded polystyrene (EPS) is critical.

When Carl Benz patented his Benz Patent-Motorwagen, the first motor vehicle in history, in 1885, he didn’t think to install bumpers. In his car design, which was essentially a tri-wheeler with large wheels, equipped with a combustion engine, the German motorization pioneer did not foresee the need to install parts and components that would have a decided impact on the evolution of car design and safety, despite the awareness that a collision with another vehicle might take place.