In a significant stride towards sustainable mobility, Continental’s Automotive group sector has developed a new vehicle key fob made entirely from bioplastic. This innovative product replaces conventional fossil-based materials with PA11, a 100% bio-based polyamide derived from castor oil.
Introduced as part of the company’s internal “Design for Environment” initiative launched in 2021, the key fob's outer casing is crafted entirely from PA11. This material is not only recyclable but also sustainably sourced from castor plants, which thrive in arid soil without additional irrigation, reducing environmental impact. Unlike traditional plastics such as PA12, PA11 is free from fossil-based inputs and contributes to Continental’s aim of reducing carbon emissions across its product portfolio.
Jean-Francois Tarabbia, Head of Architecture and Network Solutions at Continental, said, “We are committed to providing sustainable products and solutions to our customers, and this key fob is a concrete step toward mitigating climate change by using recyclable, bio-based materials. This reflects our focus on transforming automotive components to align with the sustainable future we envision.”
This development forms part of Continental’s larger roadmap to shift from the traditional linear “take-make-use-dispose” model to a fully circular economy by 2050. The company is working in collaboration with partners across its value chain to close resource loops, reduce waste, and scale up the use of circular and bio-sourced materials.
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