Rhodia, Valeo and PSA Peugeot Citroën together demonstrate the environmental benefits of recycled Technyl® polyamide

The environmental benefit of the use of recycled polyamide for automotive applications has been validated by a Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) jointly led by leading engineering plastics developer Rhodia (member of the Solvay group), Valeo, one of the world’s top automotive suppliers and car-maker PSA Peugeot Citroën.
 
Rhodia, Valeo and PSA combined their savoir-faire to carry out a multi-criteria analysis on the entire life cycle of the fan and shroud assembly, an important engine cooling component for the new Peugeot 208. The part is manufactured by Valeo using recycled Technyl® polyamide (PA) from Rhodia Engineering Plastics.
 
The study, which was reviewed by an independent consultancy (BIO Intelligence Service*) compared the environmental impact of using recycled Technyl® PA in comparison with a standard Technyl® grade. It took into account the whole value chain emphasizing seven key environmental criteria: climate change, the depletion of non-renewable resources, the impact on the diminution of the ozone layer, acidification, eutrophication, the consumption of primary energy and photochemical oxidation.
 
The results demonstrate that selecting and using recycled Technyl® PA significantly reduces the overall environmental impact of the component throughout its entire life cycle. In effect, for the seven targeted criteria the benefits range from -9% to -28%.
 
Furthermore, the results of the analysis indicate that the entire environmental benefit derives from Rhodia Engineering Plastics’ production phase for the manufacturing of the recycled polyamide. In addition, it is not altered in any way during the injection molding process or during part assemblage and use since the mechanical performance of the recycled Technyl® PA allows for cooling module components with an identical design, weight and part life to that made with a standard Technyl® grade.

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