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.