Targetting 25,000 tonnes of recycled plastic for automotives by 2031

On March 17, the Ministry of the Environment held the second meeting of its public-private-academic consortium aimed at building a recycled plastics market for the automotive sector. During the meeting, the ministry announced its goal to supply 25,000 tonnes of recycled plastic annually by 2031 for automobile manufacturing. This target is to be gradually increased, with the aim of reaching 200,000 tonnes per year by 2041 and beyond.

This consortium was established on November 20, 2024, to promote collaboration among industry, academia, and government for expanding the use of recycled plastics in the automotive industry. At the second meeting, participants discussed a draft action plan for building a recycled plastics market.

The automotive industry consumes large quantities of plastic, making its recycling crucial for achieving a circular economy. However, challenges remain regarding the quality and stable supply of recycled materials, which has limited their use in manufacturing.

Specific initiatives of the consortium include promoting the value of recycled materials, developing the market, enhancing cooperation between production and recycling sectors, and advancing technological capabilities to increase the circulation of high-quality recycled plastics.

The goal is to secure both the quantity and quality of recycled materials and raise societal awareness of their value, thereby fostering an environment in which automakers can more readily adopt recycled plastics.