ACMA’s Automotive Raw Materials Conclave and Exhibition stresses need for new-age sustainable materials

The Automotive Component Manufacturers Association of India (ACMA) in partnership with the Alloy Steel Producers Association (ASPA) organised the third edition of the Automotive Raw Materials Conclave and Exhibition. The event, which was held in New Delhi on August 3, was centered around the subject – ‘New Age Materials - Challenges & Opportunities’ – and stressed upon the usage of sustainable materials in the automotive industry. The conclave brought together key stakeholders to discuss the transformative potential of advanced materials in the automotive industry and provided insights on bringing efficiencies and facilitating sustainability and circularity through the deployment of next-generation materials.

With the automotive industry being one of the core sectors striving towards a net-zero future, the usage of advanced materials in vehicle design and construction is forming the key pillars of sustainability. However, challenges, such as commodity price fluctuations, geo-political instability, and geographic material concentration are impeding the transition to new-age materials, according to a PwC report showcased at the conclave. The convergence of multiple factors like focus on circularity, improved vehicle performance, and enhanced safety standards are driving new material choices in components for automotive applications. 

Gopalakrishnan Ganesan, Deputy Secretary, Ministry of Steel, said, "We have witnessed remarkable progress in the automotive and steel industries over two decades, complementing each other and aligning with government goals. The PLI scheme for steel has been a driving force, especially for alloy steel in fostering innovation. The government, steel industry and automotive industry, together need to forge a self-reliant innovative future, creating ground-breaking products in advancing the nation."

According to Sunil Kakkar, Senior Executive Director, Maruti Suzuki India, "In the rapidly transforming automotive industry, we see significant challenges and opportunities. The regulatory environment in India is aligning with global norms, and trends like connected, autonomous, shared, and electric mobility are shaping the industry’s future. Despite the pandemic, the industry has shown resilience, and our unsaturated market offers vast growth potential.”

“Collaboration between steelmakers and the automotive industry is crucial to meet the safety, emission, and light-weighting needs of the industry. We are committed to a greener, safer, and more innovative future, embracing ESG measures for a sustainable ecosystem,” he added.

Laying out the objective of the ACMA-ASPA initiative on raw materials, Vinnie Mehta, Director General, ACMA, said, "In this era of rapid technological evolution and environmental consciousness, the automotive sector finds itself at a critical juncture. The convergence of electrification, autonomous driving, and the pressing need for eco-friendly transportation necessitates a radical rethinking of raw materials. At ACMA, we firmly believe that challenges are opportunities in disguise.”

“The complexities that lie ahead, from securing a stable supply of critical minerals to scaling up the production of new-age materials, present us with opportunities to innovate, collaborate, and create lasting impact. This conclave provides us with an ideal platform to forge partnerships, share knowledge, and collectively shape a sustainable roadmap for the industry,” Mehta added.

The third edition of the ACMA-ASPA Automotive Raw Materials Conclave and Exhibition touched upon the advancements in lightweight materials and their impact on fuel efficiency and environmental sustainability; high-tensile strength alloys and their contributions to vehicle safety and performance; sustainable manufacturing practices and their role in reducing the automotive industry's ecological footprint, and emerging trends and innovations in automotive materials, presenting opportunities for growth and competitiveness.