Origin Materials Inc., a manufacturer of renewable and zero-carbon plastic, has joined Drive+, a partnership of 11 global automotive manufacturers working to bring sustainability to the automotive industry.
Through the partnership, West Sacramento-based Origin (Nasdaq: ORGN) will collaborate with manufacturers including BMW Group, Daimler AG, Ford Motor Co., Honda Motor Co. Ltd. (NYSE: HMC), Jaguar Land Rover, Toyota Motor Europe, Volkswagen Group and Volvo Car Co.
"We are thrilled to join the Drive+ platform and to partner on our shared goal of transitioning the automotive supply chain to sustainable materials and practices," said Origin Materials co-CEO Rich Riley, in a news release. "The automotive industry is in the midst of a massive transformation to net zero.”
Drive+ is a part of CSR Europe, which is a corporate sustainability and responsibility association of more than 10,000 companies seeking to create and foster a sustainable supply chain of green materials.
Riley said he anticipates Origin’s products to be used in many auto applications, including fabrics, plasticizers, seat foams, engineered polymers, tires and hoses.
Over the past decade, Origin has developed a drop-in replacement for petroleum in the manufacture of PET plastic, which is the most recycled plastic on the planet. Origin’s product allows existing manufacturers of everything from containers to asphalt to substitute wood-derived chemicals for petroleum to create a plastic that is identical to the current petroleum-sourced plastic. Origin’s product is a drop-in replacement that can be used on existing manufacturing equipment instead of petroleum products.
"We are excited to welcome Origin Materials to the Drive+ Collaborative Platform," said Michel Hublet, senior director of CSR Europe. "The Drive+ mission is to reinforce the sustainability of the automotive industry, and Origin Materials will be a great contributor as we work to foster collaboration between the automotive suppliers and car manufacturers of the Drive Sustainability Partnership."
Origin has existing partners in the auto industry, including Ford (NYSE: F), Solvay and Mitsubishi Gas and Chemical, among others.
Origin Materials uses patented techniques that use wood extracts to replace petroleum to make a more environmentally beneficial material to replace plastic for fabric, fiber and containers for food and beverages.
The company went public in June in a merger with a special purpose acquisition company.
