{"id":35835,"date":"2025-04-29T03:26:51","date_gmt":"2025-04-29T11:26:51","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.linquip.com\/blog\/?p=35835"},"modified":"2026-02-24T00:12:21","modified_gmt":"2026-02-24T08:12:21","slug":"7-components-reduced-to-1-why-bmw-group-embraces-3d-printing-for-the-center-console-and-shows-strong-preference-for-recycled-plastics","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.linquip.com\/blog\/7-components-reduced-to-1-why-bmw-group-embraces-3d-printing-for-the-center-console-and-shows-strong-preference-for-recycled-plastics\/","title":{"rendered":"7 Components Reduced to 1! Why BMW Group Embraces 3D Printing for the Center Console and Shows Strong Preference for Recycled Plastics?"},"content":{"rendered":"<div id=\"ez-toc-container\" class=\"ez-toc-v2_0_82_2 counter-hierarchy ez-toc-counter ez-toc-grey ez-toc-container-direction\">\n<div class=\"ez-toc-title-container\">\n<p class=\"ez-toc-title\" style=\"cursor:inherit\">Table of Contents<\/p>\n<span class=\"ez-toc-title-toggle\"><a href=\"#\" class=\"ez-toc-pull-right ez-toc-btn ez-toc-btn-xs ez-toc-btn-default ez-toc-toggle\" aria-label=\"Toggle Table of Content\"><span class=\"ez-toc-js-icon-con\"><span class=\"\"><span class=\"eztoc-hide\" style=\"display:none;\">Toggle<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-icon-toggle-span\"><svg style=\"fill: #999;color:#999\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" class=\"list-377408\" width=\"20px\" height=\"20px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" fill=\"none\"><path d=\"M6 6H4v2h2V6zm14 0H8v2h12V6zM4 11h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2zM4 16h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2z\" fill=\"currentColor\"><\/path><\/svg><svg style=\"fill: #999;color:#999\" class=\"arrow-unsorted-368013\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"10px\" height=\"10px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" version=\"1.2\" baseProfile=\"tiny\"><path d=\"M18.2 9.3l-6.2-6.3-6.2 6.3c-.2.2-.3.4-.3.7s.1.5.3.7c.2.2.4.3.7.3h11c.3 0 .5-.1.7-.3.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7zM5.8 14.7l6.2 6.3 6.2-6.3c.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7c-.2-.2-.4-.3-.7-.3h-11c-.3 0-.5.1-.7.3-.2.2-.3.5-.3.7s.1.5.3.7z\"\/><\/svg><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/a><\/span><\/div>\n<nav><ul class='ez-toc-list ez-toc-list-level-1 ' ><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-1\" href=\"https:\/\/www.linquip.com\/blog\/7-components-reduced-to-1-why-bmw-group-embraces-3d-printing-for-the-center-console-and-shows-strong-preference-for-recycled-plastics\/#The_3D_Printing_Revolution_of_the_Center_Console\" >The 3D Printing Revolution of the Center Console\u00a0<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-2\" href=\"https:\/\/www.linquip.com\/blog\/7-components-reduced-to-1-why-bmw-group-embraces-3d-printing-for-the-center-console-and-shows-strong-preference-for-recycled-plastics\/#Reducing_Weight_and_Carbon_Emissions\" >Reducing Weight and Carbon Emissions\u00a0<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-3\" href=\"https:\/\/www.linquip.com\/blog\/7-components-reduced-to-1-why-bmw-group-embraces-3d-printing-for-the-center-console-and-shows-strong-preference-for-recycled-plastics\/#BMWs_Plastic_Strategy_Leading_the_Way\" >BMW\u2019s Plastic Strategy: Leading the Way\u00a0<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-4\" href=\"https:\/\/www.linquip.com\/blog\/7-components-reduced-to-1-why-bmw-group-embraces-3d-printing-for-the-center-console-and-shows-strong-preference-for-recycled-plastics\/#Recycled_Plastics_Becoming_an_Industry_Trend_BMW_Actively_Prepares_for_Recycling\" >Recycled Plastics Becoming an Industry Trend, BMW Actively Prepares for Recycling\u00a0<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-5\" href=\"https:\/\/www.linquip.com\/blog\/7-components-reduced-to-1-why-bmw-group-embraces-3d-printing-for-the-center-console-and-shows-strong-preference-for-recycled-plastics\/#Innovating_for_a_Circular_Economy_BMWs_Vision_for_Sustainable_Manufacturing\" >Innovating for a Circular Economy: BMW\u2019s Vision for Sustainable Manufacturing\u00a0<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-6\" href=\"https:\/\/www.linquip.com\/blog\/7-components-reduced-to-1-why-bmw-group-embraces-3d-printing-for-the-center-console-and-shows-strong-preference-for-recycled-plastics\/#Conclusion_BMWs_Low-Carbon_and_Environmental_Strategy\" >Conclusion: BMW\u2019s Low-Carbon and Environmental Strategy\u00a0<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/nav><\/div>\n<h1><\/h1>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">BMW Group\u2019s center console bracket won the grand champion title at the 2024 SPE Automotive Awards, and 3D-printed components won for the first time.\u00a0This\u00a0is an innovation that\u00a0is set for production in 2027 and is the first time 3D printing\u00a0is\u00a0also\u00a0used\u00a0in <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/firstmold.com\/industries\/automotive\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">automotive manufacturing<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.\u00a0It also shows BMW\u2019s desire to simplify manufacturing and decrease carbon emissions.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">BMW has adopted additive manufacturing to replace the traditional center console, a product\u00a0that\u00a0was comprised\u00a0of\u00a0seven separate parts. The discovery represents a\u00a0major\u00a0advancement because it\u00a0enables increased\u00a0manufacturing speed while reducing expenses. The production process requires less material waste and takes less time to complete.\u00a0The environmental plans\u00a0of BMW\u00a0require\u00a0the use of\u00a0sustainable materials in\u00a0their\u00a0<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/firstmold.com\/services\/rapid-prototyping\/3d-printing\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">3D printing operations<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.\u00a0The industry has never seen this kind of achievement,\u00a0and it proves that manufacturing can find ways to\u00a0innovate and make automobiles more sustainable.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"The_3D_Printing_Revolution_of_the_Center_Console\"><\/span><b>The 3D Printing Revolution of the Center Console\u00a0<\/b><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Today, the award-winning center console bracket is one of\u00a0the\u00a0largest\u00a03D-printed polymer components\u00a0in commercial vehicles.\u00a0What makes it innovative is that\u00a0it uses large format additive manufacturing (LFAM) technology that enabled BMW to consolidate seven parts into one part, reducing assembly steps.\u00a0This change has the\u00a0major\u00a0advantage that BMW doesn\u2019t need expensive injection molds or to source parts from different suppliers for assembly. This component is unlike traditional <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/firstmold.com\/services\/injection-molding\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">injection molding services<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u00a0in that it\u00a0is directly produced by a 3D printer from Hans Weber Maschinenfabrik using large-scale printing technology, which can quickly\u00a0produce\u00a0complex shaped components. The\u00a0entire\u00a0center console printing process requires only about 3 hours and 40 minutes and minimal post-processing.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Furthermore, this innovative technology reduces the production process complexity and increases design efficiency by combining two air ducts. Before 3D printing, these air ducts were traditionally manufactured separately through molding, but being able to be more rationally placed within the center console reduces production and assembly workload.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Therefore, BMW expects to need about 18,000\u00a0such center console brackets per year.\u00a0Hans Weber\u2019s DXR printer is unlike traditional small-scale fused filament fabrication (FFF) 3D printers, as it uses fused granular fabrication (FGF) technology, or \u201cdirect extrusion.\u201d The method allows BMW to print with ready-to-use granule materials instead of filaments or powders designed for additive manufacturing.\u00a0Interestingly, the BMW Akromid PA11 material used contains 40% recycled carbon fibers and renewable raw materials, which\u00a0not only helps it to be more functional but also more environmentally-friendly.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Reducing_Weight_and_Carbon_Emissions\"><\/span><b>Reducing Weight and Carbon Emissions\u00a0<\/b><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The use of\u00a03D printing in the center console is a unique and innovative way for BMW to use 3D printing in the car, which has advantages over traditional assembly methods. The component is 30% lighter, making the vehicle more efficient, and\u00a0it\u2019s made\u00a0from recycled and regenerative materials\u00a0which\u00a0reduce carbon emissions by 70 kg. The climate-friendly methodology represents a stable path toward devotion to sustainability by minimizing energy use and environmental effects.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The implementation of\u00a0sophisticated manufacturing systems at BMW allows the firm to enhance manufacturing effectiveness\u00a0along with bringing\u00a0the automotive sector to a new performance standard. Adopting\u00a03D printing reduces material waste and optimizes resource usage resulting in\u00a0savings\u00a0on\u00a0costs\u00a0and adoption\u00a0towards\u00a0environmental goals.\u00a0The use of\u00a0recycled materials also adds to the eco-friendly innovation that BMW is committed to.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Such a\u00a0strategy shows how automakers can meet performance, cost efficiency, and environmental responsibility.\u00a0This\u00a0is a good example for the industry to\u00a0follow;\u00a0how to use cutting-edge technologies and sustainable materials to make future automotive manufacturing. With the industry moving towards greener practices, BMW\u2019s leadership speaks of the possibility of cutting emissions while maintaining high quality and design.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"BMWs_Plastic_Strategy_Leading_the_Way\"><\/span><b>BMW\u2019s Plastic Strategy: Leading the Way\u00a0<\/b><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The use of\u00a03D printing in the center console is a unique and innovative way for BMW to use 3D printing in the car, which has advantages over traditional assembly methods. It\u2019s lighter by 30% to improve vehicle efficiency\u00a0and\u00a0made from recycled and regenerative materials, carbon emissions\u00a0are reduced\u00a0by about 70kg.\u00a0This\u00a0is a way that shows BMW\u2019s concern for sustainability by reducing energy consumption and environmental impact.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Integration of advanced manufacturing techniques\u00a0not only\u00a0make\u00a0BMW more efficient in\u00a0production,\u00a0but also\u00a0put\u00a0the automotive industry into a new\u00a0benchmark.\u00a03D printing also helps reduce material waste\u00a0which results\u00a0in economic savings\u00a0or\u00a0reaching\u00a0green increases.\u00a0The use of\u00a0recycled materials also adds to the eco-friendly innovation that BMW is committed to.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">This\u00a0shows\u00a0that automakers\u00a0can have the best performance, cost efficiency, and environmental responsibility. BMW\u2019s strategy is an example for the industry\u00a0with regard to\u00a0high-tech solutions and sustainable materials that will shape automotive manufacturing tomorrow. With the industry moving towards greener practices, BMW\u2019s leadership speaks of the possibility of cutting emissions\u00a0while maintaining high standards of quality and improved design.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Recycled_Plastics_Becoming_an_Industry_Trend_BMW_Actively_Prepares_for_Recycling\"><\/span><b>Recycled Plastics Becoming an Industry Trend, BMW Actively<\/b> <b>Prepares for Recycling\u00a0<\/b><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">As BMW\u2019s plastic strategy in the global automotive industry shifts towards sustainability, the use of recycled plastics has become an important part. New EU regulations mean that BMW will increasingly be using recycled materials, including recycled plastics from the ocean, such as abandoned fishing nets and ropes. Starting in 2026, BMW will use 30% of the recycled plastics derived from ocean waste in interior and exterior trim parts in new models. By 2030, BMW Group wants to increase the share of recycled materials in thermoplastic components of new models to 40%.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Actions like these show BMW\u2019s commitment to environmental protection and help speed up the advanced\u00a0technology of plastic recycling and reuse.\u00a0BMW\u2019s \u201cFuture Sustainable Car Materials (FSCM)\u201d project with partners like Evonik has been using the opportunity to explore plastic recycling technologies in depth\u00a0in order to\u00a0provide more efficient solutions for BMW\u2019s plastic applications.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">For instance, the BMW i7 is replete with renewable nylon\u00a0Econyl\u00a0made\u00a0from people who fish using ocean-recycled fishing nets and recyclable plastics, lowering the vehicle\u2019s carbon footprint by 80 percent. Also, the BMW iX and BMW X1 models have first-floor mats made from recycled nylon yarn, and the BMW X3 air intake components\u00a0are made\u00a0from recycled polypropylene. BMW\u2019s commitment to promoting sustainability in vehicle bodies and components is\u00a0reflected completely\u00a0in these innovations.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">BMW also has a strategic cooperation with battery recycling company Redwood Materials to jointly develop recycling of lithium-ion batteries for electric and plug-in hybrid vehicles. Not only does this partnership allow for the recovery of key mineral components such as nickel, cobalt, lithium, and copper from used electric vehicle batteries, but it also provides BMW with an advantage in\u00a0the field of\u00a0sustainability.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Innovating_for_a_Circular_Economy_BMWs_Vision_for_Sustainable_Manufacturing\"><\/span><b>Innovating for a Circular Economy: BMW\u2019s Vision for Sustainable<\/b> <b>Manufacturing\u00a0<\/b><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Today, BMW goes beyond the use of recycled plastics and lightweight materials circular economy to create a circular economy for automotive manufacturing. Innovative production processes and strategic partnerships are the company\u2019s way to reduce resource consumption, minimize waste, and increase material reuse.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">A key part of this vision is that BMW is committed to\u00a0closed loop\u00a0material cycles so that\u00a0end-of-life vehicle components can be reused\u00a0for subsequent production.\u00a0BMW is\u00a0integrating increasingly\u00a0more recycled and renewable materials such as ocean waste plastics and bio-based composites so\u00a0that\u00a0it needs\u00a0ever\u00a0fewer virgin resources and\u00a0ever\u00a0lower carbon emissions.\u00a0The company has also invested in advanced dismantling and sorting technologies\u00a0which\u00a0enable easier recovery of valuable materials from decommissioned vehicles.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Furthermore, BMW is also working on new manufacturing techniques\u00a0for\u00a0improving\u00a0sustainability.\u00a0The company also works beyond 3D printing into chemical recycling methods that break down plastic waste\u00a0back\u00a0into raw materials for reuse to support the low-carbon journey of the supply chain. As a leader in the automotive industry\u00a0is\u00a0transitioning towards environmentally responsible production, BMW\u2019s focus on sustainable innovation paints it as one.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">This\u00a0goes beyond eliminating environmentally damaging business practices; it shows the way for a fully circular, sustainable future in automotive\u00a0manufacturing,\u00a0and\u00a0above\u00a0all, for the automotive industry.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Conclusion_BMWs_Low-Carbon_and_Environmental_Strategy\"><\/span><b>Conclusion: BMW\u2019s Low-Carbon and Environmental Strategy\u00a0<\/b><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">BMW deeply understands the whole lifecycle of its vehicles and is applying plastics and recycled materials\u00a0extensively\u00a0in manufacturing while\u00a0also\u00a0continuously optimizing design and production processes to reach its sustainability goals.\u00a0The company\u2019s approach takes it beyond material selection; it is about reducing resource consumption, minimizing waste, and improving efficiency at every step of production.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">3D printing is an innovative technology, although it is enabling\u00a0BMW to simplify components, reduce emissions, and increase production efficiency.\u00a0BMW is demonstrating its commitment to reducing environmental\u00a0impact,\u00a0by utilizing recycled plastics, which are now\u00a0being\u00a0widely used, coming from ocean waste or other materials. BMW\u00a0is set\u00a0to exceed its goal of recycling more than 20 percent of all materials, including thermoplastic\u00a0by\u00a02030 and to further develop its leadership in sustainable automotive manufacturing with 40 percent of recycled materials in thermoplastic components.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Furthermore, BMW is\u00a0also\u00a0investing in closed-loop material cycles,\u00a0so that end-of-life vehicle components\u00a0are\u00a0reused\u00a0for future use.\u00a0This forward policy develops the automotive industry toward greener, green manufacturing. While BMW continues to step out on the lead of new technologies and eco-friendly materials, its plastic strategy will be a roadmap for the whole industry and set new environmental responsibility benchmarks.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>BMW Group\u2019s center console bracket won the grand champion title at the 2024 SPE Automotive Awards, and 3D-printed components won for the first time.\u00a0This\u00a0is an innovation that\u00a0is set for production in 2027 and is the first time 3D printing\u00a0is\u00a0also\u00a0used\u00a0in automotive manufacturing.\u00a0It also shows BMW\u2019s desire to simplify manufacturing and decrease carbon emissions.\u00a0 BMW has adopted &#8230;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":14,"featured_media":35836,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"site-sidebar-layout":"default","site-content-layout":"default","ast-main-header-display":"","ast-hfb-above-header-display":"","ast-hfb-below-header-display":"","ast-hfb-mobile-header-display":"","site-post-title":"","ast-breadcrumbs-content":"","ast-featured-img":"","footer-sml-layout":"","theme-transparent-header-meta":"default","adv-header-id-meta":"","stick-header-meta":"","header-above-stick-meta":"","header-main-stick-meta":"","header-below-stick-meta":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[325],"tags":[341],"class_list":["post-35835","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-sponsored","tag-sponsored"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.linquip.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/35835","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.linquip.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.linquip.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.linquip.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/14"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.linquip.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=35835"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/www.linquip.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/35835\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":37673,"href":"https:\/\/www.linquip.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/35835\/revisions\/37673"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.linquip.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/35836"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.linquip.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=35835"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.linquip.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=35835"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.linquip.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=35835"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}