The automotive industry is Brazil’s fourth-largest consumer of processed plastics, accounting for 7.2% of national production, according to the Brazilian Plastics Industry Association (ABIPLAST).
Examples of polymers used by the automotive industry include:
Polypropylene (PP): bumpers, door panels and wheel housings.
ABS and ABS/PC blends: instrument panels and consoles.
Polyamides (PA6 and PA66): intake manifolds and engine covers.
Polycarbonate (PC): headlight and taillight lenses.
Polyurethane: seats, upholstery and sound insulation.
Polyvinyl chloride (PVC): cable coverings and seals.
High-density polyethylene (HDPE): fuel tanks.
According to Carlos Sakuramoto, director of Manufacturing and Materials at the Brazilian Association of Automotive Engineering (AEA), it is difficult to estimate the percentage of plastic parts in a vehicle because the same assembly or subassembly may contain both plastic and metal components.
With information from Mundo do Plástico.



