Recycled and pollutant-free materials to reduce odors in cars

Although for many the “new car smell” of a car can be attractive, the reality is that this aroma comes from the release of volatile organic compounds (VOCs), a mixture of chemical substances that can have harmful effects on both health and the environment. Faced with this challenge, the H₂ODOR project was born, a cutting-edge initiative led by AIMPLAS, the Plastics Technology Institute, which pursues a two-pronged solution: reducing these types of odors and, at the same time, promoting the use of recycled materials in the automotive sector.

The H₂ODOR project, funded by IVACE+i and ERDF funds, focuses on the creation of new thermoplastic materials based on post-consumer recycled polyolefins, free of contaminants and odors, specifically designed for use in vehicle interiors.

These new materials must not only meet the sector's strict technical requirements (such as thermal resistance or UV radiation performance), but must also be sustainable, cost-effective, and pleasant for the end user.

To achieve this, the project will focus on optimizing the pretreatment of recycled plastic by incorporating advanced water-based decontamination and deodorization technologies, with the aim of significantly minimizing the presence of volatile compounds inside the vehicle.

"Our goal is to demonstrate that it is possible to manufacture high-quality recycled materials with a low environmental impact and reduced odor, which are competitive for use inside vehicles. This is a clear commitment to the circular economy without sacrificing safety and comfort," highlighted Juan Alfonso Naranjo, researcher in Sustainable and Future Mobility at AIMPLAS.