Since composite materials have the potential for so many variations in part design, OEMs have to rely on suppliers’ expertise in the early material selection and design phases.
“For example, thermal and electrical conductivity properties in a composite are going to be very different than in a metal material,” says Nummy. “So having the data, the resources and the knowledge sharing to understand how these materials perform and understand how they can enable those designs is going to be a key piece of that puzzle.”
The composites industry needs to do more to educate automotive customers about the properties and sustainability benefits their materials offer. Bihary says MFG has presented many educational programs to OEMs. The company has also teamed up with others in the industry to encourage universities to incorporate information about composites into a wider range of engineering classes so more students learn about the materials and their design possibilities.
The increased availability of material cards for composites – similar to the cards that have been available for decades for metals – will also provide some reassurance to engineers who want to use these materials.
“I think the game changer in the last couple of years has been predictive tools,” says Siwajek. As automotive designers become more confident that these tools are accurate, they are less likely to build a 15% to 30% safety factor into composites parts. They can feel comfortable designing thinner and lighter parts, which will help improve sustainability.
A Cooperative Effort
Composites manufacturers will also need to think beyond materials when making their sustainability pitches to EV makers and other OEMs. The packages about sustainability requirements that Teijin Automotive Technologies has started receiving from OEMs are much more comprehensive in their scope, according to Siwajek. They address everything from waste and energy use to child labor laws and human trafficking.
“It’s really a huge undertaking, so we’ve got to look at where we fit. How are we going to keep playing in this market? What are they going to look for, and how soon?” he says.
“OEMs are going to continue to need the support of material suppliers to meet our sustainability goals and maintain compliance, especially with anticipating and providing guidance in a changing regulatory landscape,” says Nummy. “I expect that, in the near future, we will need to include new metrics such as biodiversity and location-specific impact reporting. As regulations change, all of the stakeholders and material suppliers will need to continue to be part of the conversation on how we can best meet those.”
Meeting OEMs’ sustainability goals will require the combined efforts of composite material and parts manufacturers and suppliers all along the automotive supply chain.
“Teijin is a Tier 1 supplier, so we’re on the front line with the OEMs. We are going to be the ones that have to face the sustainability requirements,” says Siwajek. “But there’s only so much that we can do with a thermoset composite like our SMC materials, because there are 13 to 20 ingredients in there. I’m going to need my supply base to come along with me and drive some of the solutions.” He acknowledges that could be difficult for small suppliers that may provide just one material.
“Everybody’s got to figure out what sustainability means to them and how it fits into the landscape moving forward,” says Siwajek.
Mary Lou Jay is a freelance writer based in Timonium, Md. Email comments to mljay@comcast.net.
