Grace Helps Make Lighter Cars to Save Gas

Polypropylene, made with catalysts like the ones offered by Grace, is used to make car bumpers and other parts lighter by as much as 30% compared to metal alternatives, while also meeting today’s stringent safety standards.

A car’s weight translates directly into its fuel usage – the heavier the car, the more gas it uses. The U.S. Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy estimates that lighter-weight vehicles and high-efficiency engines in just 25% of our nation’s gasoline-driven cars could help save more than 5 billion gallons of gas (and corresponding GHG emissions) annually by 2030. Our polypropylene catalysts are a key ingredient to make cars lighter by replacing heavier metals used in things like car bumpers.

Safety, however, is paramount in cars. Automakers have long sought the perfect balance of creating stronger car parts while still meeting rigid safety requirements. This is especially true in the safety features of bumpers, which are designed to be more than just low-speed safety protections for drivers and passengers; they also protect the fuel, exhaust and cooling systems.

Historically, most bumpers had one primary function: a stylish appearance. Car bumpers have evolved considerably, and now serve as a safety guard for passengers, and are made to collapse during a crash and divert energy to the crumple zones of the car. Grace catalysts support high-performance plastics by meeting impact and stiffness requirements while using lighter materials. 

“Grace is a company founded on science and innovation, and our catalysts provide the foundation for polypropylene resin attributes that can keep people safe, reduce fuel consumption and also reduce emissions.” Daniel Song, Grace Director of Marketing for Polypropylene 

As a leading independent supplier of polyolefin catalyst and polypropylene process technology, Grace is committed to the supply of cutting-edge technology to help our customers operate in the global polypropylene industry.