Abstract
just-auto estimates that the total tonnage of steel lost in 2006 to plastic
fuel tanks was nearly 348,000 tonnes, and that figure could reach 419,000
tonnes by 2013.
Plastic fuel tanks have superseded steel to the point where most of all light
vehicles built for the European and North American market are now plastic, and
plastic fuel tank manufacturers are quick to point out the benefits of plastic
over steel, i.e. lighter weight, non-corrosive, geometric flexibility. They
believe that the trend in favour of plastic fuel tanks will continue to grow
until the market is saturated.
However, although plastic seems to have become the material of choice, steel
tank manufacturers argue that producing a multi-layered plastic tank with
different barriers in it makes it virtually impossible to recycle. They also
believe that the increasing price of oil will make the price of polyethylene
more expensive, thereby prompting concern among those buyers of plastic tanks.
In this fourth edition of just-auto' s fuel tanks report, we address these
issues, as well as reviewing the key market drivers for fuel tank systems, and
updating the market analysis. We include forecasts by volume and value and by
major car-producing region for fuel tank systems, discuss recent innovations
in the sector, and provide profiles of the major manufacturers.
The report also includes a Q&A session with Bosch, talking about issues
relating to diesel fuel storage, the effect of design of injection systems,
regional differences and the impact on the network of service centres. Plus,
exclusive interviews from:
- Sharon Lemieux, manager, Emission Research Section, Mobile Source Control
Division at CARB where she explains the work of the CARB.
- Peter Mould, programme manager of SASFT (Strategic Alliance for Steel Fuel
Tanks), and;
- Dr Paul Wouters, vice president, research at Inergy Automotive Systems are
provided.
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