New standards promote sustainable production and supply chains in the automotive industry

Illustration of a digital product passport on a green background with the EU star wreath: a dashboard featuring a bar chart, a line graph, and a steering wheel icon, symbolizing new standards for sustainable production in the automotive industry

New standards are driving the use of recycled plastics in the automotive industry. Standardization institutes, associations, and service providers are working ever more closely together to promote more sustainable production and accelerated certification processes. Together, they are helping to reduce plastic waste in the automotive industry and similar industries. Here are some insights:


Plastics recycling in the focus of the automotive industry

In view of the increasing demand for environmentally friendly products, the automotive industry is increasingly focusing on the use of recycled plastics. The German Association of the Automotive Industry (VDA) has introduced the VDA 284 guideline to facilitate the transition to a circular economy and promote the effective use of recycled plastics. This guideline defines uniform standards for the data quality of plastics with recycled content. In parallel, initiatives such as DIN DKE's Circular Economy Roadmap are being driven forward to integrate more sustainable materials into automotive production.

Diagram titled "The Circular Economy": a cycle comprising raw materials, design, production, and consumption, as well as reuse & repair, recycling, and extraction, linked by the note "...needs smart standards"


Uniform standards for recycled plastics

The VDA 284 standard establishes clear guidelines for the quality of recycled plastics in the automotive industry. These standards are crucial for promoting the widespread use of recycled materials while ensuring high product quality and safety. They serve as a guide for companies along the entire value chain.

Illustration depicting the collaboration between material.one and VDA: Two intersecting ribbons in blue and green featuring the material.one logo and VDA lettering against a background of plastic granules, symbolizing uniform standards for recycled plastic


Standardization roadmap for the circular economy

The Circular Economy Roadmap provides a comprehensive guide to the current status and development of standards in the circular economy. It addresses important topics and sets out specific recommendations for future standards. This ongoing development of standards contributes to increasing efficiency and sustainability in the automotive industry.

Infographic on the DIN Circular Economy Standardization Roadmap: Funnel chart showing the number of participants on the DIN.ONE collaboration platform, as well as pie charts showing participants in working groups and authors of the roadmap by industry, as of September 9, 2022

Digital solutions for environmental standards

Effective implementation of the new environmental standards requires transparent and fast verification which is made possible by digital networking. The material.one platform enables manufacturers to digitize environmental requirements and certification processes, which simplifies and accelerates the verification process. As a technology partner in the IDiS committee of DIN DKE, material.one also supports the development of smart standards that are machine-readable and machine interpretable.

Summary

The introduction of standards such as VDA 284 and initiatives such as the Circular Economy Roadmap are key steps in promoting sustainable products and supply chains in the automotive industry. Standardized processes and digital integration will make the use of recycled materials more efficient thus leading to a more environmentally friendly automotive industry and a reduction in plastic waste.

 

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