Our View: OEMs' expectations stretching rubber's capabilities

In the automotive space, there is no shortage of drivers. But as the industry transitions to an electric vehicle landscape, one significant driver has emerged: Sustainability.

To that end, OEMs' expectations are clear: They want lightweight, recyclable, bio-based parts. And as the pressure to go further ramps up—from governments, investors and consumers—OEMs continue to push the envelope for suppliers, asking for greener, more sustainable components.

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According to Chris Couch, Cooper-Standard's senior vice president, and chief technology and procurement officer, those expectations could be stretching the limits for rubber-based products.

From his vantage point, the pressures and expectations appear to be leading the industry away from rubber and toward plastics. That's especially true when it comes to the sealing and fluid handling systems for which Cooper-Standard is known.

"Materials are transitioning from rubber-hose-based—which you used for gasoline engines—to plastic-tubing-based," Couch said. "That lets the systems be more lightweight, (and) lets you use a little bit nicer materials because nobody likes rubber in that they can't recycle it; it has issues."

That's not to say that rubber doesn't have a place in next-generation vehicles, because it does—and should. Rubber industry companies are making incredible strides to meet the changing demands of the auto industry. DuPont is adapting its Kevlar materials to support lithium-ion battery safety and Hexpol TPE is developing materials from recycled products for automotive interiors.

And when it comes to performance, it's hard to match silicone. The material is used in an array of products, often selected for its wide temperature thresholds, chemical resistance and low compression set—factors crucial for air-tight gaskets and seals in harsh environments.

Moreover, silicones are key for EVs, which are relying more heavily on infotainment electronics as well as processors that allow them to connect to infrastructure, each other and the driver through maintenance apps.

Still, Couch's point leaves looming questions worth pondering. Because if rubber products can't meet the lightweight, sustainable expectations in ways similar to plastics, then rubber industry parts makers are going to have some hard sells to OEMs.

It's a disheartening thought, especially when considering the thousands of standard parts that are lost in the transition from internal combustion engines.

The good news, though, is that the rubber industry is resilient—and brilliant. There is no shortage of ideas and innovation. Both will be key as the industry continues to redefine itself and its products for a more sustainable auto industry and more environmentally conscious world.