European plastics groups form auto alliance in China

A group of global resin suppliers and Chinese automobile companies have formed a technology alliance to increase the amount of plastic used in the country’s cars, close the sizable gap with global auto companies and boost fuel efficiency of domestic vehicles.

The International Auto Lightweight Technology Alliance includes global plastics raw material makers Rhodia, DSM and Arkema, along with large domestic Chinese car makers Chang’an Automobile Group, Geely Holding Group and Beiqi Foton Motor Co.

The alliance’s detailed agenda is still being worked out, but with Chinese economy cars using only about 50kg of plastic parts on average, compared with 130 to 180kg per vehicle in the US, Western Europe and Japan, the participants see a lot of opportunities.

Chinese car makers use a higher percentage of metal components in their cars, alliance members said, and those heavier parts in turn make the cars less fuel efficient and potentially more polluting.

Members of the group acknowledge they have some challenges ahead of them, however, including recruiting more Tier 1 automotive components makers, who are not present in large numbers among the more than 20 founding companies and organizations.

The alliance is being organised by the Shanghai-based Sino-European Union Chemical Manufacturers Association, and its Auto Plastic and Innovative Materials Committee (APIMC), which will provide administrative support.

The alliance wants to bring together six key groups in China’s auto industry – the car makers, the auto parts and components manufacturers, materials suppliers, government agencies, associations and universities, said Cao Du, chairman of the alliance and vice president of the Chang’an Auto Global R&D Centre, a unit of major Chinese auto maker Chang’an Automobile Group.

In particular, he said auto makers and materials suppliers in China do not know much about each other’s capabilities and needs.

APIMC chairman Jean-Claude Steinmetz, vice president of automotive for French resin supplier Rhodia SA, said the alliance can initially identify a handful of key demonstration projects to focus on that would involve Chinese car makers, Tier 1 firms and raw materials suppliers.

“Out of the discussion the last two days, we really have to pinpoint down the key deliverables for the next six months on definite projects,” he said in an interview at the forum. “The process should be started and well engaged in six months.”