Japanese motorcycle manufacturer Yamaha Motor Co. has developed a high-quality, environmentally friendly recycled polypropylene (PP) material that can be used for the main exterior bodywork of its motorcycles. The company will begin using the new raw material in major 2023 commuter models for the Southeast Asian market.

The recycled PP material is made entirely from pre-consumer plastic with a traceable manufacturing history and no risk of containing environmentally hazardous substances, such as purging compounds.

Plastics are commonly used for the exterior bodywork of motorcycles, and PP materials account for about half of these components, making it a major raw material for Yamaha. The company has been driving development and use of recycled PP in its products for some time now, but it says this newly developed material offers even higher levels of strength and quality appearance compared with conventional recycled materials. It is suitable for use in areas requiring aesthetic appeal.

Going forward, Yamaha plans to raise the usage ratio of recycled materials in its commuter models and gradually deploy it in other motorcycle categories, as well.

In line with the Yamaha Motor Group Environmental Plan 2050, the company is aiming to achieve carbon neutrality throughout all of its business activities — including its entire supply chain — by 2050. The company 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.