Mini has announced plans to equip its cars with fully recyclable interiors starting with the next generation of models, in a bid to make car production more sustainable.
In the past, many motorists have shelled out thousands of dollars to buy high-quality leather seats for their next car, but nearly all manufacturers are taking more responsible steps to make their car interiors more appealing. I’m looking for a way.
Kerstin Schmeding, Mini’s head of color and trim, emphasized in an interview with automotive publication Auto Express that the company has spent considerable time creating new materials.
She explained: “Focusing on a few elements gave us the freedom (to the Mini) to really focus on detail and quality.
“From a materials point of view, this is very special. The dashboard has completely new technology and the clean surfaces give it a very nice finish.”
The announcement comes ahead of the launch of the Mini Aceman, the company’s first model to use an unusual interior material called 2D knit fabric.
Made from approximately 90 percent recycled polyester, this material uses 98 percent less water than cotton and is said to produce less carbon dioxide than processing polyester.
The material has not yet been used in the seats of the small electric crossover, which is expected to go on sale in November 2024, but it will cover the dashboard and door cards.
The idea of completely recycling a car’s dashboard is new, but some car brands are already upcycling their models for future buyers.
Renault currently operates a “refactory” in Flins, France, which dismantles its own used vehicles and processes them into new factory-ready vehicles.
Despite many of the components being replaced with new alternatives, Renault claims that upcycling the vehicle helps extend its life on the road while reducing emissions.
