Lifecycle Assessment and Circular Economy Strategies for Sustainable Automotive Materials: Optimizing Recycling, Waste Reduction, and Cost Efficiency

Love David Adewale · 2025 · 6 citationsRead the paper

The transition to sustainable automotive materials is critical for reducing environmental impact, enhancing recyclability, and optimizing cost efficiency.Lifecycle assessment (LCA) and circular economy strategies play a fundamental role in evaluating and improving the sustainability of vehicle materials, from raw material extraction to end-of-life recycling.Traditional linear manufacturing models contribute to excessive waste and resource depletion, necessitating a shift toward circular material flows, including reuse, remanufacturing, and recycling.This study explores the integration of LCA methodologies to assess the environmental footprint of automotive materials, focusing on energy consumption, emissions, and waste generation.AI-driven material informatics and digital twin simulations enable precise modeling of material performance and degradation, facilitating the development of high-performance, recyclable composites and bio-based polymers.The application of closed-loop recycling systems and lightweighting strategies further enhances sustainability by reducing resource dependency while maintaining structural integrity and safety.Additionally, advancements in end-of-life vehicle (ELV) processing, such as AI-driven sorting, automated dismantling, and chemical recycling, contribute to improved material recovery and circularity.Case studies on aluminum alloys, carbon fiber composites, and biodegradable materials highlight the economic and environmental benefits of circular economy principles in automotive manufacturing.By leveraging lifecycle assessment, AI-enhanced material optimization, and closed-loop recycling strategies, the automotive industry can achieve significant reductions in waste and carbon footprint.This study provides a comprehensive analysis of circular economy frameworks, addressing challenges, technological innovations, and future directions for sustainable automotive material management.

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