Towards the harmonisation of lightweight policies at EU level
Originally published in the JEC Composites Magazine.
The sustainability impact of lightweight technologies and composites is worth studying, as well as the role played by the European Lightweight Cluster Alliance (ELCA) in coordinating efforts at the EU level. How can an EU-wide policy on lightweight technologies contribute to the EU’s overarching goals, including the European Green Deal, the European Critical Raw Materials Act and the announced European “Advanced materials for industrial leadership” initiative?
In a world grappling with climate change, lightweighting presents tangible solutions to reduce greenhouse gas emissions across product life cycles. Simultaneously, it enhances the performance and efficiency of moving components while streamlining manufacturing processes.
Once strangers, industries are now waltzing together with lightweight solutions, which include fibre-reinforced composites, light metal alloys and ceramic-matrix composites. This pursuit of lightweight solutions brings cross-sectoral partnerships together, fostering the sharing of expertise and enriching the market ecosystem.
Effective lightweighting begins at the design phase. Industry investments in improving lightweighting technologies should be supported by an enabling political framework. Lightweight-related policies are of paramount importance in pushing the market towards environmental sustainability. These policies are the unrecognised heroes shaping a future where stakeholders don’t meet regulatory benchmarks but redefine them.
Multiplying lightweight policies
Lightweighting put to the forefront
Hot lightweighting in the automotive sector
Voices from the frontrunners
? Acceleration of time to market with digitalisation
? Innovation uptake
♻ Circularity boosting
A dazzling trio
Roadmap for harmonisation
Closing note
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