Hyundai Mobis has outlined a comprehensive strategy to accelerate the development of advanced materials for future mobility, as it seeks to meet the tightening global environmental regulations expected by 2030. This initiative aims to enhance the company’s competitive advantage in the evolving automotive landscape through innovative, high-performance material technologies.
In recent years, the importance of securing independent competitiveness in materials, components, and equipment (MCE) has grown, a trend Hyundai Mobis has embraced by establishing a stable supply chain during the pandemic. The company continues to achieve significant milestones in new material development through its in-house research and development (R&D) efforts.
Hyundai Mobis has outlined a material development strategy centered around three key areas: sustainable materials, innovative materials, and digital materials. The company is committed to developing recyclable and bio-based materials that meet global environmental standards. Additionally, it is focusing on advancements that will support the future of mobility, particularly in electrification and electronic components. Hyundai Mobis is also leveraging virtual verification methods to innovate in material development through digital materials.
Sustainable Materials: Focus on Recycling and Bio-based Solutions
Hyundai Mobis is making strides in recycling plastics and creating bio-based materials. Recycled materials are primarily being utilized in plastic components, with the company producing regenerated materials by processing recyclable parts from household waste or end-of-life vehicles. These are then combined with additives to create new materials.
One notable success is the development of a protective cover for the lower arm of a vehicle’s underbody. This component, which contains 50% recycled plastic, matches the physical properties of conventional materials. As the European Union prepares to enforce a mandate requiring 25% recycled materials in new car plastics by 2030, Hyundai Mobis has already exceeded this target by six years, achieving a recycled content twice the mandated level.
The company is also working on over 30 new materials for components that heavily rely on plastics, such as cockpit modules, lamps, and airbags. In the bio-materials sector, Hyundai Mobis is exploring wood-based materials that can reduce carbon dioxide emissions while improving resistance to environmental factors like heat and UV light.
Innovative Materials: Reducing Dependency on Rare Metals
In response to the rising costs and supply challenges associated with rare metals, Hyundai Mobis is shifting towards high-value-added products focused on electrification and electronic components. The company has developed a new material that significantly reduces the use of nickel in inductors, essential components in electric vehicle power conversion. By lowering the nickel content from 50% to around 30%, Hyundai Mobis is addressing the volatility in raw material prices while maintaining key electromagnetic properties.
Moreover, the company is evaluating a groundbreaking material that is entirely nickel-free, the first of its kind globally. This initiative is part of a broader effort to enhance competitiveness across all electrification and electronic component fields, including advancements in high-speed battery charging, electromagnetic shielding, and autonomous driving sensor technologies.
Digital Transformation in Material Technology
Hyundai Mobis is also investing heavily in digital materials technology, integrating information technology into traditional material science. By simulating and predicting the properties of various materials virtually, the company can better align its R&D efforts with the needs of the automotive industry.
Artificial intelligence is playing a crucial role in this digital transformation. Hyundai Mobis is using AI to analyze existing data and automatically determine material properties, paving the way for significant innovations in material development.
The company has assembled a team of over 100 R&D professionals specializing in material science and is actively recruiting experts from diverse fields as it expands its efforts in digital materials. This strategic focus on sustainable, innovative, and digital materials positions Hyundai Mobis at the forefront of the global automotive industry’s push towards more eco-friendly and efficient technologies.
