Kia introduces a trunk liner for the EV3 model, made from recycled ocean plastic in collaboration with The Ocean Cleanup organization.
Kia has introduced an industry-first automotive accessory, developed with plastic extracted from the Great Pacific Garbage Patch (GPGP) in collaboration with The Ocean Cleanup.
This new product marks a significant milestone in the partnership between both entities, which began in 2022, and is part of Kia’s strategy to become a leader in sustainable mobility solutions.
Ecological Accessory: Kia EV3 Trunk Liner
In this first phase of its collaboration, Kia has launched a limited edition boot liner for its Kia EV3 electric model, made from plastic recovered from the ocean.
The accessory will be available in select markets coinciding with the model’s introduction to the market. Charles Ryu, Executive Vice President and Head of Global Brand and Customer Experience Division at Kia, said: “This partnership is not only a testament to our shared commitment to environmental stewardship and innovation, but a global movement to create cleaner, healthier oceans for future generations.”.
The design of trunk liner is inspired by the design philosophy ‘Opposites United‘ from Kia and features a superior surface pattern called ‘hello geometric’symbolizing waves and the flow of waste towards a collection area, similar to The Ocean Cleanup’s marine plastic extraction process.
The product is made up of 40% recycled ocean plastic and maintains the same durability, protection and functionality as a conventional boot liner.
Additionally, it includes a QR code that allows customers to access detailed information on product development and collaboration, along with The Ocean Cleanup logo.
An innovative approach to waste transformation
Since the start of the seven-year collaboration in 2022, Kia and The Ocean Cleanup have worked intensively to develop innovative methods to convert marine plastic waste into useful and durable products.
Boyan Slat, founder and CEO of The Ocean Cleanup, highlighted: “We are grateful to have a visionary and passionate partner like Kia, who shares our vision of breathing new life into the plastic we extract from the Great Pacific Garbage Patch into sustainable items.”.
The collaboration has not been without challenges. Unlike plastic found near coastlines, plastic collected from the open ocean has particular characteristics that make it more difficult to recycle.
The process involves sorting, recycling and processing plastic to meet Kia’s strict quality standards, including a Chain of Custody Standard to ensure material traceability and integrity.
Kia and sustainability
Kia has integrated recycled plastics and other eco-friendly materials into several of its latest models. For example, its flagship all-electric SUV, the EV9, uses recycled fishing nets for flooring and recycled plastic bottles for seat fabrics, while the EV6 includes upholstery and carpets made from recycled plastics.
The company has stated its intention to expand the use of sustainable materials in its future products, committing to increase the application of recycled plastic in its vehicles to more than 20% by 2030.
This effort underscores the commitment of Come on to develop a circular resource system for ocean plastic and position itself as a pioneer in sustainable mobility. The brand has set out to not only make innovative products, but also lead a change in the automotive industry towards greener and more sustainable practices.
Source: geeksroom.com
