Achievement of Over 90% New Car Recyclability Ratio*

In general, approximately 80% (by weight) of end-of-life vehicles can be recycled, particularly parts made of steel, aluminum and other metals. The remaining 20% is mostly plastics and glass, which is shredded and sent to landfills.

Through the initiatives outlined below, Mazda has achieved recyclability ratios of over 90% for new cars launched after 2002.

* Calculated based on the Japan Automobile Manufacturers Association's Guidelines on the Definition and Calculation of Recyclability Ratios in New Models (1998).

Developing Bumper-to-Bumper Recycling Technology

Mazda is actively engaged in recycling resin-based automotive parts. We have especially focused on recycling bumpers and have created bumper-to-bumper recycling technology for these large resin-based parts. This technology recycles material from damaged bumpers back into usable material for new bumpers. We have begun using recycled bumpers through this new technology, starting with bumpers taken from RX-8 models produced in or after March 2005 and using the recycled bumpers. We used recycled bumpers in the MPV and in an expanding succession of other models. (Please refer to "Recycling End-of-life Vehicles" for details on damaged bumper recovery.)

• Bumper-to-Bumper Recycling Technology

Since 1992, Mazda has collected resin-based damaged bumpers from dealerships and recycled them as vehicle undercovers and other parts. One issue, however, is that prior to remolding the bumpers we have to remove the paint layer. Working towards bumper to bumper recycling, since 2001 we have been able to remove 99% of the paint, thereby expanding use to bumper reinforcement parts and grain-surfaced bumpers.

In 2003, Mazda began working with Satake Corporation, an integrated grain processor, on a new process that uses an optical selection technology to remove 99.9% of the paint layer. With this process, recycled bumper plastic can be added to new plastic to produce new bumpers that are nearly identical to non-recycled bumpers in strength and surface finish (necessary for high painting quality).

In a FY2006, in collaboration with industry, academia and government organizations in Hiroshima Prefecture, Mazda succeeded in developing injection-moldable, carbon-neutral*, plant-derived, resin-based bioplastics that have sufficient surface quality, strength and heat resistance to be used for interior parts.

On the Premacy Hydrogen RE Hybrid, which is under development, we plan to use injection-molded bioplastics on the gearshift panel and front console. In addition, the model will employ newly developed biofabrics - which are highly durable and of 100% plant-derived - on the seats and door trim.

* Upon decomposition or combustion, plant-derived resin materials release quantities of CO₂ in balance with the amount the constituent plants absorbed in the growth process. Such substances are called "carbon neutral" because they have no net effect on atmospheric CO₂ levels.