According to Europe’s End of Vehicle Life Directive, all new cars must be 85 percent recyclable. In 2015 that number will jump to 95 percent and the Opel Adam is the one car that can meet this new criteria as it stands, with an amazing 170 recyclable components. Overall, Opel uses around 45,000 tons of recycled materials in new vehicles every year. Efficiently, the process of creating usable items from recycled materials needs less energy than from using new materials, and expels 30 percent less carbon dioxide emissions.
Some examples of the Opel Adam’s parts made from recycled materials are bumper mounts, headlight housing and water deflector between the splash wall and the engine chamber, and intake manifold via a mold injection process. In terms of durablility, these recycled parts are less prone to warp, expand and/or contract. In the case of the manifold, it can withhold temperatures of -40 to +200 degrees Celsius during exhaust gas re-circulation.
Vice President of Engineering Michael Ableson, believes Opel is leading the industry in the development of recycled materials. These modifications help reduce the carbon footprint of the company without any technological disadvantages taking place.
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