Sustainability in Auto Care – how to be a conscious buyer

The automotive sector is no different. According to a report by Capgemini, sustainability has become a strategic priority for the industry – 62% of automotive organisations claim to have a comprehensive sustainability strategy with well-defined goals and targets. Sustainability and environmental consciousness have seeped into the industry, also influencing the way consumers buy and take care of their vehicles.

At 3M we view our sustainability goals through three themes- Science for Circular, Science for Climate and Science for Community.

Science for circular

The circular economy refers to a business model where production and consumption, involves sharing, leasing, reusing, repairing, refurbishing, and recycling existing materials and products as long as possible. Through this the life cycle of products is extended reducing environmental footprint. In practice, it implies reducing waste to a minimum. From a car owner’s perspective, this means making environmentally conscious decisions when it comes to purchasing maintenance products.

In 2019, 3M committed to buildingin a clear Sustainable Value Commitment to all new products we bring into the market. The solventless, biodegradable,water-basedsolutions like a Multipurpose Shiner for maintaining the shine of two wheelers, is an eco-friendly and pocket friendly step in the right direction.  A good Chain Lube avoids the use of synthetic grease and used motor oils for a superior performance of your motorbike chain compared to a standard variety. Using the right products and paying attention to the minute aspects of vehicle maintenance not only helps to run the vehicle at optimum efficiency but also reduces environmental impactcaused by cars. For instance, engine maintenance, oil and battery disposal, tyre pressure, brake maintenanceetc, allcontribute to circularity.

Science for Community

Something as simple as car washing can be harmful for the environment. Depending on where and how regularly the car is used, sediment and heavy metal traces are often found on the surface of the car, with metals like copper, cadmium, lead, and zinc often found inthe brake pads and tyres. When washed at home, the water used will wash off the heavy metals and dirt and seep into the ground polluting the soil, and nearby water sources as well. To reduce the amount of water used and the side effects of pollution that comes with it, a Ceramic Coating gives shine and hydrophobicity, which prevents dirt from sticking to the surface. Another solution to prevent the wastage of water would be to use a Dry Wash cleaning solution which may be un-traditional but also effective in cleaning without wasting water.

Conventionally, cars are washed using high pressure water of approximately 100 litres per car. And a total of approximately 10 million cars are washed every year when they go for service. This leads to wastage of 1 million Kiloliters of water every year.

Science for Climate

When petrol and diesel oil are used in automobiles, toxic chemicals such as carbon dioxide and carbon monoxide are generated. These compounds contribute to several environmental issues, including air pollution and global warming. While government policies have helped to reduce emissions, car owners themselves have a role to play in making vehicles more eco-friendly. 80%-90% of cars’ environmental impact comes from fuel consumption and noxious emissions.

Good car maintenance can help reduce the adverse effects of using the car in a few simple ways. Maintain the car through periodic Diesel Fuel System Cleaners or Fuel System cleaner. This will help to avoid clogged injectors leading to higher emissions and loss of power that results in lower mileage. Periodic maintenance ensures that the performance of the vehicle is maintained throughout its life.

Maintaining cabin temperature by keeping the AC system clean by using an Evaporator Cleaner Solution ensures higher performance of AC, leading to potential savings in fuel and reduction in overall environmental warming as AC will work optimally once maintained with AC evaporator cleaner. The evaporator is a key component in vehicle air conditioning systems. Its function is to cool and dehumidify the air coming into the vehicle cabin and provide comfort to the occupants. Dust and moisture are ever present in all mobile air conditioning systems. The Evaporator cooling coils work in a dusty and damp atmosphere due to the ambient conditions around. This condition may cause clogging of AC evaporators leading to reduction in cooling efficiency and expose the occupants to allergies apart from bad unpleasant smell of the vehicle due to microbial growth in the cabin air systems. 

The Road Ahead

The growing awareness around the need for sustainability has compelled many businesses to offer "greener" products and processes, as well as to advocate novel approaches to improving their environmental performance. The auto care industry is taking several steps to ensure that car maintenance products are eco-friendly, toxin free and easy to use for the consumer.

Automobile companies are setting up long term goals and strategies to minimise their emissions by adopting green manufacturing processes and products. A certain onus of responsibility also falls on vehicle owners as improper car maintenance will lead to emissions, low mileage, and a plethora of issues harmful to both the user and the environment. Focus should be put on making vehicles itself circular, so that its parts can be reused and recycled.

The views expressed by the authors are personal

Suparno Hazra, Global Application Engineering Manager, Pro Care, AAD, 3M India

Krishna Gowdaman A ,Global Platform AE, Pro Care – AAD, 3M India