Yamaha to Use Recycled Polypropylene (R-PP) in Its Commuter Bikes Production

Yamaha has announced that it will start manufacturing its commuter bikes and scooters in Southeast Asian markets using aluminum that is sustainably produced and Recycled Polypropylene. In order to achieve its 2050 carbon neutrality goals, it has been actively making both significant and incremental changes. 

Yamaha claims that it has been dealing with Recycled Polypropylene (thermoplastic) for quite a long time now. Body panels and other plastic parts on bikes and scooters are made of Polypropylene. Yamaha claims that the finish, quality, and durability of its current recycled plastics processing method are superior. It stated that these recycled plastics are "made only from pre-consumer materials with a perceptible production record and no risk of comprising ecologically harmful substances," meaning that they are composed of environmentally friendly materials.

Starting in 2023, Yamaha intends only to use Recycled Polypropylene in its commuter vehicles for Southeast Asia. After that, Yamaha plans to include Recycled Polypropylene in its other product segments.

As of recently, the market for Recycled Polypropylene in Southeast Asia has been quite stable. This is attributed to the fact that there is a steady demand for the material, and its prices have not fluctuated significantly. The main driver of this stability is the surge in crude oil prices which has increased in the price of raw materials such as Polypropylene. This has led to a decrease in the production of new Polypropylene and an increase in the demand for Recycled Polypropylene. As such, it has become more cost-effective to use Recycled Polypropylene than to purchase new Polypropylene.

This stability in the market has allowed companies to plan their production needs accordingly. Moreover, due to the rise in crude oil prices, the cost of producing new Polypropylene is higher compared to that of Recycled Polypropylene, making it a more attractive option for many companies. As a result, the market for Recycled Polypropylene has remained stable, despite fluctuations in the price of crude oil.

However, the market of Recycled Polypropylene is expected to grow in the coming months, which would primarily be attributed to the growth in demand.

Several causes can be linked to the growth in demand. First, there is an increased demand for Recycled Polypropylene products due to their environmental benefits. The use of the product reduces the amount of new plastic production, which helps reduce pollution. Additionally, the rising costs of raw materials have led many businesses to opt for the cheaper and more environmentally friendly option of Recycled Polypropylene.

Second, manufacturers are increasingly looking to Recycled Polypropylene as a viable alternative to traditional plastic materials. This has resulted in more businesses investing in the product, which has in turn driven up demand.

Finally, the recycling industry is becoming more efficient as technology continues to advance. This has resulted in more Recycled Polypropylene being produced from existing sources, thereby increasing its availability.

Overall, the increasing demand for Recycled Polypropylene is expected to drive up prices in the near future. ChemAnalyst anticipates the price of this product to get inclined by around 4% per MT in month of May and by further 3% per MT in June 2023.