A Bio-Based Future for Car Interiors
Published 14 March 2023
Manufacturing car interiors entirely from bio-based plastic and fabric alternatives could be viable by 2030, according to a new study by UK design group Callum. Working in collaboration with Turkish green tech company Ottan, it pinpointed coffee pulp, eggshells, red lentils, walnuts and rice as biomaterials suitable for auto engineering.
To identify these elements, the team used a Porsche 911 interior as a basis for research. It found that eggshells mixed with resin create a smooth, opaque material that can be applied to places like the trim surrounding window switches, and adding walnut shells to the substance can increase its recycled content from 78% to 84%.
Meanwhile, expired rice or lentils can be made into a translucent material that replaces plastic light covers, and flame-resistant coffee pulp can replace traditional plastics for a glossy trim in areas like dashboard inserts. Likewise, tree leaves can be repurposed into a dark surface resembling wood veneer, ideal for the centre console or dashboard.
The team also explored clothing and plastic waste for use in upholstery fabrics and carpeting, and plant-based dyes for adding colour – for instance, purple carrot pulp produces a mulberry shade. While the selected materials already meet automotive requirements in terms of durability, the next step is to trial them in upcoming projects.
As discussed in CMF Industry View: Automotive 22/23, car brands are rapidly scaling up the adoption of eco-friendly elements, particularly for electric vehicles. For more biomaterial innovations, see The Biodesign Landscape 2022 and The Brief.
 |  |  |  |  |  |