The Advent of Plastics
Not long ago, automobiles were almost exclusively made from steel. But competitive marketplaces, the need for better fuel economy, and tightening environmental concerns created a push for alternate materials – and plastics have moved to the forefront.
Ten years ago the average North American vehicle contained about 150 lbs. of plastic – today it contains than 250 lbs – and every pound of plastic replaces 2 to 3 lbs of other materials. For example, over the years the simple bumper – once just a heavy, unattractive metal beam – has evolved into a complex engineered fascia system that contributes significantly not only to protection of the vehicle, but also to styling.
DuPont provides materials and solutions to help automotive designers and engineers create new-generation fascias, fenders, claddings and more. And DuPont’s combined expertise in plastics and coatings positions us uniquely to help our customers achieve maximum performance from both molded-in-color and painted plastic parts.
