Audi has launched cutting-edge plastic covers for seatbelt buckles in its Q8 e-tron models. The casings are partially manufactured from mixed automobile plastic waste using a chemical recycling process.

It is the first time the company is installing safety components made in this way, and in conjunction with the PlasticLoop project, has established an innovative process with plastics manufacturer LyondellBasell, based on the findings from a pilot project.

The new Audi Q8 e-tron.

In details, plastic components that are beyond repair are first stripped from customer vehicles, freed of foreign materials such as metal clips, before being broken down into smaller pieces, and processed into pyrolysis oil by means of chemical recycling.

This oil is then used as a raw material for the manufacture of new plastics, harnessing a mass balance approach. The plastic granulates thereby obtained, are utilized in the production of Q8 e-tron seatbelt buckle covers.

The casings are made from mixed automobile plastic waste using a chemical recycling process developed by Audi and LyondellBasell. 

Through this process, the automotive manufacturer together with the other project participants have managed to recover a flow of materials which are usually only suitable for energy recovery.

This operation will allow Audi to use fossil raw materials for longer and reduce its purchasing of additional primary materials for the Q8 e-tron accordingly. Materials produced from the pyrolysis oil are of the same high standard as newly manufactured goods and offer identical technical characteristics.

With the Audi e-tron, the manufacturer entered the age of electromobility in 2018. According to Audi, the model has been setting standards in the electric luxury-class SUV segment since then.

It features optimized drive concept, improved aerodynamics, higher charging performance, and battery capacity and increased range of up to 582 kilometers in the SUV version (in accordance with the WLTP) and up to 600 kilometers in the Sportback version (in accordance with the WLTP).

Audi's electric portfolio now comprises eight models. By 2026, it will have more than 20. At that point, it will only be releasing fully electric models on the global market.