Yamaha Motor Co has announced today that it has succeeded in developing a high-quality and environmentally friendly recycled polypropylene (PP) material which can be used for the main exterior bodywork for motorcycles. The company will begin using the new raw material with the main 2023 commuter models for ASEAN markets.

This eco-friendly recycled PP material is made only from pre-consumer materials with a traceable manufacturing history and no risk of containing environmentally hazardous substances, such as purging compounds (Intermediary materials produced during resin synthesis) and scraps generated in the production processes of petrochemical and moulding manufacturers.

Resin materials are often used for the exterior bodywork of motorcycles, and PP materials account for about half of these parts, making it a major raw material for the Japanese automaker. Yamaha Motor states that it “has been driving the development and the use of recycled PP in its products for some time now, but this newly developed material offers even higher levels of strength and quality looks compared to conventional recycled materials. It can also be used for areas requiring greater aesthetic appeal.”

With the use of this eco-friendly recycled PP going forward, Yamaha Motor plans to raise the usage ratio of such recycled materials in motorcycles and gradually adopting the material in other product categories as well.

In line with the Yamaha Motor Group Environmental Plan 2050, the company aims to achieve carbon neutrality throughout all of its business activities —including its entire supply chain — by 2050. To realise this, Yamaha has set a goal of switching to 100% sustainable materials by 2050, and will expand its efforts to adopt green and other recycled materials for its products.