The lighter a vehicle is, the more energy-efficient it is, as a result of which it has a greater range. But how sustainable are lightweight materials? Lightweight components made from petroleum-based plastics reinforced with carbon or glass fibers cause high CO₂ emissions and consume finite resources. In collaboration with industry partners, we are developing a vehicle underbody made from natural fibers and recycled and bio-based plastics for automotive construction. The component should not only fulfill the high technical requirements in the underbody area but also be economical to produce.