BMW Has Crappy Paint, and We Do Mean That Literally

From the October 2022 issue of Car and Driver.

To reduce its carbon footprint, BMW is trying something innovative if a bit icky: matte-finish paint made out of poop. Don't panic. As in other recycling, there are a lot of steps between sewage and the special-order finish on your M440i.

Biological waste is a source of organic and renewable versions of naphtha and methane, compounds typically involved in paint production. When separated from their gross surroundings, they're virtually identical to the naphtha and methane sourced from petroleum. Starting with waste products means using less fossil fuel, and BMW paint supplier BASF says CO₂emissions in this manufacturing process are 40 percent lower.

Developing paint from other organic materials isn't as plug-and-play and requires more time. But since the waste-sourced coating is nearly identical to the oil-derived version, it can be produced on short notice.

BMW's plants in Germany and South Africa have switched to paint made this way, which means matte-coated Bimmers from Ms to X3s will have the sustainably sourced finish. So if a hater says your new matte-finish BMW "has a crappy paint job," you can proudly answer, "Yes, it does."

Your Car Is Garbage

BMW is not the only company looking at waste to make parts. Here are a few other examples of automakers digging in the recycling bin:

Floored

Abandoned fishing nets and other trash are transformed into Econyl regenerated nylon, used in floor mats for vehicles, including the Mercedes-Benz S-class and the BMW iX.