Fiat's Grande Panda Debuts Using Recycled Cartons in Interiors

Fiat, a Stellantis brand, has become the first automaker to integrate recycled material from used beverage cartons into the interior components of a mass-produced vehicle. The Fiat Grande Panda, now available in European markets and set to launch globally by late 2025, features a compound derived from 140 recycled beverage cartons per car.

The material,  known as polyAl, is a blend of polymers and aluminum layers recovered from the recycling process of beverage cartons, which typically consist of 70% cardboard, 25% polymers, and 5% aluminum. In the Grande Panda, polyAl-based components are prominently used in the central console, dashboard, and door panels.

Fiat partnered with Lapo Compound, which produces a version of polyAl called Lapolen Ecotek. “We are committed to creating products that meet strict quality standards while advancing the circular economy by keeping valuable materials in use,” said Giuseppe Crisci, General Manager, Lapo Compound. “Our innovation overcame significant technical challenges, demonstrating our dedication to sustainable solutions.”

This initiative places Fiat ahead of the European Commission’s proposed regulations for end-of-life vehicles, which aim for 25% of vehicle plastics to be sourced from recycled materials. “Our collaboration with Lapo Compound helps the industry move toward this goal by delivering high-quality recycled materials that meet stringent requirements,” Fiat and Tetra Pak stated jointly.

Fiat’s adoption of polyAl aligns with its “less is more” philosophy,  which emphasizes simplified design and reduced environmental impact. The automaker has already phased out materials like chrome and leather in favor of more sustainable, cost-efficient alternatives across its product lineup.

By using polyAl in visible interior components, Fiat highlights the material’s aesthetic potential. The recycled aluminum within polyAl gives a natural gloss, and Lapo Compound successfully matched Fiat’s specific blue color specifications. “This choice showcases the material’s functionality and design versatility,” Fiat noted.

“The integration of recycled beverage carton material in the Fiat Grande Panda demonstrates how sustainable innovation can redefine traditional manufacturing,” said Kinga Sieradzon, Vice President of Sustainability Operations, Tetra Pak.

Lapo Compound is also exploring additional applications for Lapolen Ecotek in non-automotive sectors, including outdoor furniture and industrial flooring.