Pioneering automakers are already using a variety of natural fibers in current car production. These sustainable materials are used to reinforce plastic and trim and foam, and to design new surfaces; examples include soy foam, wheat straw, kenaf fiber, coconut fiber, and rice hulls.
Will natural materials replace traditional oil-based plastics? That’s an interesting question, even if it probably won’t happen anytime soon. This week’s in-depth presents an update on the topic, with recent developments by automakers and technology and material suppliers.
The interior is the domain of plastic-based materials, and these plastic surfaces are shaped to create an environment to be as attractive and as intuitive as possible. That’s why new and natural materials go hand-in-hand with interior design, that’s why sustainability and design are more and more going from the inside out.
The Köln Workshop scheduled for 23-24 April 2024 will include a session on materials and sustainability, as well as a panel discussion about design to help the industry leverage sustainability constraints into design opportunities.
Looking forward to meeting you there next year!
Sincerely yours,
