Material Reducing Molding Cycle Time by 20% Adopted on Outboard Motors for the First Time - Contributing to carbon neutrality efforts with High-Cycle SMC -
July 16, 2026
IWATA, July 16, 2026 - Yamaha Motor Co., Ltd. (Tokyo: 7272) and Yamaha Marine Co., Ltd. (hereinafter, "Yamaha Marine"), together with Japan Composite Co., Ltd. (hereinafter, "Japan Composite"), have co-developed a paintable material can reduce molding cycle time*¹ (CT) by 20% compared to conventional materials*² called High-Cycle SMC (Sheet Molding Compound). Since 2025, the material has been used for the powerhead cowling of Yamaha outboard motors, contributing to improved production efficiency and reducing environmental impact. The outboard motors using the material are manufactured by Yamaha Marine, a Yamaha Motor group company.
The chief merit of the newly developed High-Cycle SMC material is its lower thermal energy requirement for the molding process. In general, SMCs are a type of thermosetting resin that requires a large amount of thermal energy during molding. The burning of gas and electricity used to produce steam in this process fall under Scope 1 and Scope 2*³ greenhouse gas emissions from corporate activities. This development project was successful through the continuous verification and optimization of the materials and manufacturing processes by Yamaha Motor, Yamaha Marine, and Japan Composite. Adoption of High-Cycle SMC reduces molding CT by 20% compared to conventional materials, and this reduction in energy used during molding is projected to lower CO₂ emissions by 20% as well.
Yamaha Motor, in line with its Yamaha Motor Group Environmental Plan 2050, is working toward being carbon-neutral*⁴ throughout all of its supply chains, including the Company's business activities by 2050. Furthermore, with Scope 1 and Scope 2 emissions, we have accelerated our plans to achieve carbon neutrality at our manufacturing sites-including at group companies-by 2035 and are ramping up efforts to that end, such as this adoption of High-Cycle SMC.
*1 Total time required for the entire process of filling the mold with material for one unit to removing the finished piece
*2 Based on Yamaha Motor research (March 2026)
*3 Emissions from the Company's own activities
*4 Scope 1 and 2 emissions plus emissions other than Scope 1 and 2 (Scope 3)
The chief merit of the newly developed High-Cycle SMC material is its lower thermal energy requirement for the molding process. In general, SMCs are a type of thermosetting resin that requires a large amount of thermal energy during molding. The burning of gas and electricity used to produce steam in this process fall under Scope 1 and Scope 2*³ greenhouse gas emissions from corporate activities. This development project was successful through the continuous verification and optimization of the materials and manufacturing processes by Yamaha Motor, Yamaha Marine, and Japan Composite. Adoption of High-Cycle SMC reduces molding CT by 20% compared to conventional materials, and this reduction in energy used during molding is projected to lower CO₂ emissions by 20% as well.
Yamaha Motor, in line with its Yamaha Motor Group Environmental Plan 2050, is working toward being carbon-neutral*⁴ throughout all of its supply chains, including the Company's business activities by 2050. Furthermore, with Scope 1 and Scope 2 emissions, we have accelerated our plans to achieve carbon neutrality at our manufacturing sites-including at group companies-by 2035 and are ramping up efforts to that end, such as this adoption of High-Cycle SMC.
*1 Total time required for the entire process of filling the mold with material for one unit to removing the finished piece
*2 Based on Yamaha Motor research (March 2026)
*3 Emissions from the Company's own activities
*4 Scope 1 and 2 emissions plus emissions other than Scope 1 and 2 (Scope 3)
