FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Matthew Kastner
Phone: (202) 961-0634
Email: [email protected]
WASHINGTON (Aug. 12, 2026) – Plastics are increasingly essential to making vehicles safer, lighter and more technologically advanced, and their role will continue to grow with the expansion of self-driving and electrified vehicles, according to a new report, Plastics and Chemistry in Automobiles, from the American Chemistry Council (ACC).
The report finds that the average North American vehicle contained 428 pounds of plastics and polymer composites in 2025, up 18% from just a decade ago. These materials account for more than half of a vehicle’s volume but less than 10% of its weight. Plastics make vehicles lighter, improving fuel efficiency and reducing fuel costs at the pump, while also enhancing safety. The role of plastics in the components that prevent accidents and protect occupants in an accident cannot be overstated: seat belts, airbags, sensors, cameras and radars enabling automated collision avoidance and driver assistance, and structural components able to absorb greater crash energy than metals are all made with plastic, saving lives every day.
“Open the door to a modern vehicle and plastics help shape nearly every part of the experience, from the soft-touch dashboard, cushioned seats, touchscreen displays, lighted trim, steering wheel controls, rearview mirror and speakers, that make every drive more comfortable and connected,” said Gina Oliver, senior director of durable markets at ACC. “Plastics are woven into the safety, style and everyday comforts drivers and passengers are accustomed to.”
The growing use of plastics highlights the need to recover and recycle more automotive plastics at the end of a vehicle’s life. Greater investments in the infrastructure to dismantle, sort and recycle automotive plastics are needed in the U.S. With advanced recycling technologies now capable of processing many of the specialized automotive plastics mechanical recycling can’t easily process, such as foam seat cushions, bumpers, and battery housings, there is tremendous potential to greatly increase the amount of material recovered from a vehicle to recycle into new auto components.
“The plastics in end-of-life vehicles are too valuable to waste,” said Ross Eisenberg, president of America’s Plastic Makers. “Our ability to recover and recycle these materials is not only important for driving sustainability, but it’s also increasingly central to global competitiveness. If we don’t recover more of those plastics from vehicles soon, we jeopardize our ability to sell American autos, parts and components in markets such as the European Union and Japan, where recycled-content requirements and targets are advancing.”
Expanding automotive plastics recycling will require collaboration across automakers, parts suppliers, dismantlers, recyclers and plastic producers. Federal policy that provides regulatory certainty for advanced recycling facilities, clear standards for recycled-content claims, and helps align stakeholders across the auto recycling chain can accelerate this transition. Pilot projects at Oak Ridge National Laboratory and the Global Impact Coalition demonstrate the feasibility of recovering plastics from automobiles and the potential for broader commercial deployment. Read the full ACC report, Plastics and Chemistry in Automobiles, and the fact sheet.
American Chemistry Council’s Plastics Division
The American Chemistry Council’s Plastics Division represents America’s Plastic MakersSM and the hundreds of thousands of scientists, engineers and technicians who develop plastics essential to modern life. From healthcare and clean energy to transportation and safe food and water, plastics drive innovation and strengthen the U.S. economy by supporting key industries and creating well-paying jobs. Companies are investing billions annually in U.S. production and recycling, advancing manufacturing and efficiency across economic sectors. We envision a future where all plastic products are reused or recycled, conserving resources and creating a cleaner, safer and more resilient world.
American Chemistry Council
The American Chemistry Council’s mission is to advocate for the people, policy, and products of chemistry that make the United States the global leader in innovation and manufacturing. To achieve this, we: Champion science-based policy solutions across all levels of government; Drive continuous performance improvement to protect employees and communities through Responsible Care®; Foster the development of sustainability practices throughout ACC member companies; and Communicate authentically with communities about challenges and solutions for a safer, healthier and more sustainable way of life. Our vision is a world made better by chemistry, where people live happier, healthier, and more prosperous lives, safely and sustainably—for generations to come.
