Adaptation and quality management of bio-based composite materials in the automotive industry: A state–of–art review

Growing pressure on the automotive industry to reduce its environmental impact has encouraged manufacturers to seek alteranitves to petroleum-based composite materials. One option that has attracted increasing attention is bio-based composite materials. This paper examines how these materials can be adopted in the automotive sector and why progress has been slower than expected. The main aim is to understand the technical, organisational, and environmental factors that affect adoption, and to explore how existing quality management systems may need to be adapted to suit the characteristics of natural plant-based fibres. This study uses a secondary, mixed-methods approach that combines a review of academic and industry literature, comparison of automotive quality standards, a Life Cycle Assessment (LCA), and several case studies. The results show that bio-based composite materials can reduce carbon emissions and energy use, but they also have drawbacks such as moisture absorption, inconsistent mechanical properties, and limited resistance to heat. On the organisational side, supply chains are still fragmented, and quality control processes are not always adapted to these materials. This study finds that established tools like Advanced Product Quality Planning (APQP) and Statistical Process Control (SPC) can still be applied, but they need modifications to account for the natural variation in fibre properties. LCA results generally favour bio-based composites in terms of Global Warming Potential (GWP), although they can require more land and water, meaning their overall environmental benefit depends on sourcing and production methods.