The AutoEcoMat project aimed to develop eco-friendly multifunctional materials for vehicle components from the recycling and recovery of industrial waste. This approach, therefore, demonstrates Borgstena and Fibrenamics' clear commitment to the circular economy model rather than the traditional linear economy.

In detail, this innovation was based on the development of two product lines, namely the 'basic' line and the 'select' line. The first focused on the reuse and incorporation of polyester and polyurethane waste, while the second, the 'select' line, sought to upgrade the previous line by adding complementary properties at the mechanical and/or thermal level through the incorporation of micro and nanomaterials, which promoted an increase in its added value.

As a result, this innovation allowed, firstly, to produce prototypes with maximum incorporation of 60% of industrial waste (0.5-1.5% of CNT's and 10-30% of PCMs). At the same time, it was possible to apply the products developed in the design of components for car interiors, such as seats, pillars, and overheads, and by adding CNTs to polyester fibrous waste (PET), it was also possible to produce filaments more resistant than those obtained from virgin PET. Finally, this project was also able to develop thermoformable sheets, obtained by adding PCMs to fibrous PET waste laminated with PU foam, sheets that have the ability to manage the ambient temperature and can, in the future, also be applied in the automotive sector, as would be the case, for example, of door panels.