Yamaha Motor has recently announced that it has succeeded in developing a high-quality and environmentally friendly recycled polypropylene (PP) material that can be used for the main exterior bodywork of motorcycles. The Company will begin using the new raw material with the main 2023 commuter models for ASEAN markets.
This eco-friendly recycled PP material is made only from pre-consumer materials* with a traceable manufacturing history and no risk of containing environmentally hazardous substances, such as purging compounds** and scraps, generated in the production processes of petrochemical and molding manufacturers.
Resin materials are often used for the exterior bodywork of motorcycles, and PP materials account for about half of these parts, making it a major raw material for the company. Yamaha Motor has been driving the development and the use of recycled PP in its products for some time now, but this newly developed material offers even higher levels of strength and quality looks compared to conventional recycled materials. It can also be used for areas requiring greater aesthetic appeal.
With the use of this eco-friendly recycled PP going forward, Yamaha Motor plans to raise the usage ratio of such recycled materials in motorcycles and gradually adopt the material in other product categories as well.
In line with the Yamaha Motor Group Environmental Plan 2050, Yamaha Motor is aiming to achieve carbon neutrality*** throughout all of its business activities—including its entire supply chain—by 2050. To realize this, the Company has set a goal of switching to 100% sustainable materials by 2050, and will expand its efforts to adopt green and other recycled materials for its products.
* Raw materials, which have not reached customers, and are supplied especially for their use in recycled final materials
** Intermediary materials produced during resin synthesis
*** Emissions as a direct result of business activities (Scope 1 and 2) and emissions outside of these (Scope 3)
Keyword: Yamaha to use recycled plastics for fairings of small bike models