Yamaha Motor cuts outboard molding time 20% with new SMC material, lowering CO2 emissions

Yamaha Motor, together with Yamaha Marine and Japan Composite, has developed a high-cycle sheet molding compound (SMC) that cuts molding cycle time by 20% for outboard motor top cowls. The new material reduces heat energy needed during production, which is expected to lower carbon dioxide emissions from the molding process by 20%. It has been in use since 2025, based on an internal assessment from March 2026. The development is part of Yamaha Motor Group's Environmental Plan 2050, which targets carbon neutrality across its full supply chain. For Scope 1 and 2 emissions from manufacturing sites, the group has set an earlier target of 2035. The material change is a concrete step to cut emissions from production without sacrificing part quality or surface finish. For readers following industrial decarbonization, this is a practical example of how material science can reduce energy use in manufacturing. The 20% reduction in both cycle time and expected CO2 is specific and measurable, though it applies only to one component type. The broader question is whether this SMC formulation can be scaled to other parts and other manufacturers.