Application of Organometallic Coating in Automotive Fuel Tanks as an Ecodesign Strategy: A Case Study

Abstract

The environmental sustainability aspect has increasingly become a decision factor in the choice of products or services by society and concomitantly has been more valued in the business and academic environment. The search for efficiency in the use of resources and the need to increase competitiveness are on the agenda of all areas of the automotive industry, including with regard to pollution caused by emissions of gases from combustion, but also in relation to recycling, lifetime and the effects of the use of heavy metals in vehicle manufacturing. Product development considering ecodesign presents itself as an important alternative to contribute to sustainability - environmental dimension. Currently, it is possible to find automotive tanks with organometallic coating to replace tinned ones and polymer tanks. This article aims to evaluate the ecological gains of ecodesign for fuel tanks in a supplier company in the automotive segment. As a methodology, a case study was carried out through a semi-structured questionnaire in the application of organometallic coating as an alternative to an eco-efficient product. The results indicated a greater efficiency in the use of organometallic coating as an ecological alternative due to the cleaner production process and the non-use of toxic metals in its composition. It is concluded that the adoption of ecodesign practices in the development of products such as organometallic coating in automotive fuel tanks allows obtaining environmental improvements without giving up other aspects, in addition to being an important competitive advantage.