Shanghai, June 10 (Gasgoo.com) With China's shift to a low-carbon growth strategy, global chemical companies will focus on new technologies to make the Chinese auto industry greener, Shanghai Daily reported yesterday.
China overtook the United States to become the world's largest auto market in 2009, with sales hitting 13.6 million vehicles, and this year's sales may reach 17 million. Automobiles account for about a quarter of China's greenhouse emissions.
"If Chinese automakers cut the weight of their cars by 5%, it will reduce approximately 1.4 million tons of carbon dioxide emissions per year, equivalent to the annual greenhouse gas emissions from 240,000 passenger vehicles," said an executive director of chemical company BASF SE.
The auto industry is moving to replace steel with plastic components. Plastic was not only used in the vehicle's interior components such as seats, headrests and dashboards, but also in structural components such as fuel tanks and engines.
At Chinaplas 2010, the largest plastics exhibition of its kind in Asia, BASF, Bayer AG and other multinational companies showcased concept cars using plastics and rubber to reduce weight and conserve energy.
China is leading the world in replacing steel with plastics. Some techniques have already been adopted by Chinese carmakers, and more will be incorporated into production in the next three years.
