Honda Expands Use of Bio-Based and Recycled Materials as Part of Its Circular Manufacturing Strategy

Photo Credit: Honda 

Honda is advancing its transition toward renewable and recycled materials across its global motorcycle lineup, according to information published by Honda and its materials partner Mitsubishi Chemical Group. The company’s latest material initiatives, as reported by Honda, build on its long-term “triple action to zero” roadmap aimed at achieving carbon neutrality, clean energy adoption, and circular resource use by 2050. It is understood that several recently updated European models now incorporate plant-derived engineering plastics and next-generation recycled resins as part of this effort.

According to technical documents released by Honda, a key element of the shift is the wider use of DURABIO™, a bio-based engineering plastic developed by Mitsubishi Chemical Group and produced from isosorbide made from inedible corn and wheat. As reported by the manufacturer, the material provides high transparency, impact strength, UV resistance and vivid colour expression, enabling Honda to eliminate certain painting processes and reduce carbon emissions in production. Honda notes that this material has already been adopted on a growing number of motorcycles, including the CRF1100L Africa Twin, X-ADV, Forza 750, NT1100 and NC750X. It is also reported that the latest 26YM CB1000GT unveiled at EICMA 2025 now features a DURABIO™ windscreen.

Beyond bio-based materials, Honda has also expanded its use of recycled components. According to Honda’s published sustainability updates, recycled automobile bumpers—previously used in cars but difficult to apply to motorcycle parts—are now incorporated into the luggage box and seat bases of several 25YM models. The company further states that pre-consumer recycled polypropylene, derived from manufacturing scrap, has been applied to more than 15 components of the X-ADV and Forza 750, with the 26YM CB1000F recently joining the lineup of models using the material.

Honda explains that these developments align with its five principles of resource circulation, which include business innovation, advanced recycling, lifecycle data traceability, circular design and a circular value chain. According to Honda’s internal environmental assessments, approximately 90% of materials used in new vehicles across the industry still originate from newly mined resources, reinforcing the importance of accelerating renewable and recycled alternatives to reduce long-term dependency and mitigate supply risks.

Industry analysts note that these moves come amid increasing regulatory pressure in Europe and other major markets, where rules on embedded emissions and supply-chain transparency are becoming more stringent. As reported by sustainability experts, bio-derived plastics and high-performance recycled polymers are gaining momentum as motorcycle manufacturers search for scalable low-carbon solutions. It is widely expected that such materials will expand into broader functional categories as circular-manufacturing requirements continue to tighten.

By integrating bio-based and recycled materials across more models, Honda signals its intention to redefine resource use within motorcycle manufacturing while lowering production-related CO₂ emissions. According to the company’s latest environmental disclosures, these initiatives represent a significant step toward building a fully circular manufacturing framework for future mobility.

Source: HONDA EUROPEAN MEDIA NEWSROOM

SUNSHINE Spotlight: Honda’s expanding use of renewable and recycled materials underscores its long-term shift toward a more circular and climate-conscious production model.