Fiat presents an automotive innovation: recycled material from beverage cartons is used in the new model

The interior plastic elements of each Fiat Grande Panda – including the centre console, dashboard, front and rear door interior panels – contain recycled material from 140 thin polyethylene and aluminium layers of beverage cartons.

PolyAl is a combination of polymers and aluminium recovered from the recycling of beverage cartons. Beverage cartons contain on average 70% cardboard, 25% polymer and 5% aluminium. This combination of materials enables aseptic packaging, where ultra-thin layers of aluminium and polymer protect the food or beverage, extending its shelf life without the need for preservatives or refrigeration.

While cardboard can be transformed into valuable paper-based products – such as paper towels, napkins or toilet paper – Tetra Pak is continuously researching and expanding the commercial applications of polyAl in collaboration with raw material manufacturers and recycling partners.

The Fiat Grande Panda’s components are made from Lapolen Ecotek, a polyAl-based composite material produced by Lapo Compound. The company worked with Fiat to ensure that the material was competitive in terms of price and quality. The fact that this material is used in highly visible parts of the vehicle’s interior, rather than hidden away, also clearly demonstrates its aesthetic value. Fiat chose the recycled material because of the shiny effect of the recovered aluminium and because Lapo Compound was able to accurately reproduce the desired blue shade.