KIA Motors uses fishing nets and vegetable oils to create sustainable cars

Kia Motors, South Korea’s second-largest automaker, listed below its parent company Hyundai Motors, has made drastic efforts to become a brand that puts sustainability at the forefront of its products.

According to Kia Motors, its innovative new EV9 model will pave the way for sustainable vehicle production.

Hinting at its sustainable movement, the Kia Motors website welcomes its customers with the slogan: “Innovation inspired by nature”.

“Let’s move forward together towards a more sustainable future,” the production company continued.

The automaker also said it plans to incorporate the sustainable materials used to create the EV9 model into other models like the EV6, launching in summer 2021.

Kia’s sustainable revolution will focus on creating vehicles with recycled materials, including natural dyes, discarded fishing nets, bioplastics, vegan leather, polyurethane foam, organic paint and paper and plastic. recycled plastics.

The South Korean automaker has acknowledged that it is using sustainable materials that will soon become essential components of cars of the future, due to the current climate crisis.

Kia Motors said it would use natural dyes, sourced from the roots of walnut shells and ruby ​​plants. The sustainable material will be used to decorate recycled cotton fibers in a range of color shades.

Using old fishing nets found in the oceans, the automaker said the material would not only be used to create floor mats, but would also help combat the negative impacts of discarded nets on marine life .

To replace its original leather seats, made from animal leather, Kia Motors has announced that it will instead use biopolyurethane for its interiors. Biopolyurethane, which contains elements of plant origin, will provide passengers with comfort and good grip.

Durable biopolyurethane interior materials will also help reduce carbon emissions.

For the seats, Kia Motors announced that it would use vegan leather, already used in its Kia Niro model, to further reduce its carbon footprint.

Using recycled paper and plastic bottles, the roof of the Kia vehicle will be covered in paper fiber. Kia Motors was already using this sustainable roofing method, as demonstrated by its Kia Niro vehicle, whose covering is made from 56% recycled paper fibers.

Reusing paper materials will lead to less deforestation and a decrease in cellulose production.

Recycled plastic bottles can be used to create sound insulation, the automaker said. The discarded plastic will be used in the back of the Kia EV9 model, to allow passengers to safely transport their personal belongings in the trunk of the car, including delicate items and pets.

Using other recycled plastics in automotive parts will contribute to a healthier environment. Reusing plastic products also ensures they don’t end up in landfills and reduces demand for new plastics.

Although bio-based paint has its limitations, Kia Motors is committed to using this paint with a focus on sustainability. Organic paint has been proven to be more environmentally friendly than paint containing petroleum.

The paint will come from rapeseed oil, reports note.

The South Korean automaker has also committed to using polyurethane foam in its new vehicles. Polyurethane foam is a durable element that was used to create the headrests of the EV9 model.

The foam provides high durability and compression capacity, providing passengers with a comfortable journey.

Kia Motors has also recognized the importance of biomass plastics, often made from renewable sources such as sawdust, plant extracts, vegetable oils and sugar cane.

Using biomass plastics to form dashboards and other structural elements will limit reliance on fossil fuels.

While the shift to bioplastics threatens the employment of workers in the fossil fuel production process, biomass plastics reduce workers’ exposure to harmful chemicals.