Eco-friendly, New Materials, Digital... Hyundai Mobis' 'Three Major Strategies for Material Development'

"Securing a Stable Supply Chain... Strengthening Mobility Competitiveness"
Already Possessing Over 100 Materials Engineering R&D Personnel

Hyundai Mobis announced on the 27th that it has concretized its development strategy to strengthen its core material capabilities, which are fundamental to automotive key components. Materials are considered a crucial area that determines the competitiveness of future mobility businesses.

First, the company decided to use sustainable materials to comply with global environmental regulations. This involves using recycled or bio-based materials. Recently, they developed a lower arm protection cover that prevents scratches on the underside of the vehicle body using this approach. Although the recycled plastic content reaches 50%, its physical properties are the same as those of existing products.

Hyundai Mobis researchers are evaluating the durability of a cockpit module developed using recycled materials.
[Photo by Hyundai Mobis]

The European Union plans to mandate that 25% of plastics used in new cars from 2030 must be made from recycled materials. Hyundai Mobis has proactively aligned with this standard to prepare in advance. The company is developing over 30 new materials that can be applied to parts with heavy plastic usage, such as driver seat modules, lamps, and airbags.

They are also developing new materials to replace expensive existing ones. For example, the company is reducing the nickel content in inductors, which are core components for electric vehicle power conversion, and using new materials instead. The nickel content has been reduced from 50% to the 30% range. Nickel prices have increased about sixfold over the past decade due to rising demand from electrification.

It is reported that they have also developed nickel-free new materials that do not use nickel at all and have begun evaluations. They are developing new materials to enhance competitiveness across all electrification and electronic components, including high-speed charging battery cooling technology, electromagnetic shielding materials, and surface coating technology for autonomous driving sensors.

A researcher in charge of new material development is evaluating the electrical characteristics of an inductor.
[Photo by Hyundai Mobis]

They are also honing digital materials technology. By integrating information technology (IT) with traditional materials science, they virtually simulate and predict various material properties to improve compatibility. Artificial intelligence is also utilized in the process of discovering new materials.

As securing a stable supply chain in the automotive industry has become increasingly important, this material development strategy has gained greater significance compared to the past. It is unusual for an automotive parts company to have over 100 materials engineering R&D personnel, which is the case at Hyundai Mobis.

Kim Miro, head of Hyundai Mobis’s R&D Basic Technology Research Lab, said, "We will enhance mobility competitiveness by diversifying materials and developing innovative materials that reduce external dependency."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.