Responsible Material Design

Creating Materials that Shape a Sustainable Future

Drawing inspiration from nature,
we think beyond just
the materials themselves.

Kia designers are committed to responsible resource use
when developing new materials and colors,
striving to minimize our environmental impact.
This effort is realized through three design strategies based on recycling
and the analysis of bio-based materials.

Kia designers are committed to
responsible resource use when
developing new materials and colors,
striving to minimize our environmental
impact. This effort is realized through
three design strategies based on
recycling and the analysis of
bio-based materials.

First Action Halting Leather Use (Leather-free)

As part of its commitment to sustainable design, Kia is gradually phasing out the use of natural leather in vehicle interiors. The starting point of this transformation is EV9, which was launched in 2023.

Kia's ultimate goal is to eliminate leather use and replace it with bio-based PU (polyurethane) made from plant materials such as corn and eucalyptus. Bio PU has a similar feel to leather while also being incredibly durable and significantly reducing both toxic chemicals and carbon emissions.

Close-up view of the surface of a bio-based polyurethane alternative material

Interior view of a vehicle featuring bio-based polyurethane alternative materials

Image of eucalyptus plants used as a source material for bio-based polyurethane

Second Action 10 Material Solutions

Kia is expanding the use of recycled materials across all areas. Various materials such as recycled PET, bio paint, bioplastics, etc., are being applied in actual vehicles, resulting in substantial changes that go beyond resource circulation to include waste reduction and marine ecosystem protection. Kia is now treating recycling as a standard, not simply an option, setting a new benchmark for sustainable design.

01 / 10

1. Bioplastic

Material: Vegetable oils, corn extract, sawdust, and sugarcane
Sustainability Direction: Reduces dependence on fossil fuels and minimizes exposure to harmful chemicals.

Bioplastic surface made from plant-based oils and corn-derived material

Texture of bioplastic produced using plant-based ingredients

1. Bioplastic

Material: Vegetable oils, corn extract, sawdust, and sugarcane
Sustainability Direction: Reduces dependence on fossil fuels and minimizes exposure to harmful chemicals.

PCM plastic pellets made from post-consumer recycled plastic

PCM plastic material reprocessed from post-consumer waste

2. PCM Plastic

Material: Post-consumer material (PCM) plastic
Sustainability Direction: Reduces plastic waste in landfills and the environment, conserving non-renewable resources by minimizing the use of virgin materials.

Bio polyurethane surface made using plant-based components

Texture of bio polyurethane designed to reduce carbon emissions

3. Bio PU

Material: Bio polyurethane
Sustainability Direction: Reduces overall carbon emissions, incorporates plant-based components, contributing to a more sustainable material balance.

Eco-friendly fabric surface made from recycled PET

4. Recycled PET Fabric

Material: Recycled polyethylene terephthalate (Recycled PET)
Sustainability Direction: Promotes plastic recycling and reduces waste, providing durability, moisture resistance, and solvent resistance.

Carpet texture made from recycled PET and reused fishing nets

Recycled PET carpet material made from recovered marine plastic

5. Recycled PET Carpet

Material: Recycled PET, recycled fishing nets
Sustainability Direction: Innovative reuse of marine waste, preventing ocean plastic pollution, protecting marine ecosystems, reducing plastic particles entering water systems.

Bio polyurethane foam made from natural oil-based materials

Bio PU foam retaining the elasticity and flexibility of conventional polyurethane

6. Bio PU Foam

Material: Bio polyurethane (natural oils)
Sustainability Direction: Maintains the resilience and flexibility of conventional polyurethane while minimizing environmental impact.

Bio paint surface color sample based on plant-derived oils

Dried canola plant byproducts used as bio paint raw material

7. Bio Paint

Material: Rapeseed oil, vegetable oil
Sustainability Direction: More sustainable than petroleum-based alternatives, reduces chemical waste generated during manufacturing processes.

Surface texture of a vehicle exterior panel finished with BTX-free paint

Transparent liquid component used as the base material for BTX-free paint

8. BTX-free Paint

Material: Free from benzene, toluene, and xylene
Sustainability Direction: Minimizes the use of hazardous substances, delivering a high-quality finish with reduced environmental impact.

Texture of spools made from recycled PET yarn

Raw material of mixed recycled PET flakes in various colors

9. Recycled PET Yarn

Material: 100% recycled PET yarn
Sustainability Direction: Utilizes recycled plastic to reduce waste, incorporating more than 70 recycled bottles per vehicle to enhance sustainability.

Surface texture of automotive interior material made from recycled PET felt

White PET pellets used as raw material for recycled PET felt

10. Recycled PET Felt

Material: Recycled PET felt
Sustainability Direction: Enhances driving comfort through acoustic absorption, delivering a driving experience as satisfying as the vehicle’s appearance.

1. Bioplastic

Material: Vegetable oils, corn extract, sawdust, and sugarcane
Sustainability Direction: Reduces dependence on fossil fuels and minimizes exposure to harmful chemicals.

2. PCM Plastic

3. Bio PU

Material: Bio polyurethane
Sustainability Direction: Reduces overall carbon emissions, incorporates plant-based components, contributing to a more sustainable material balance.

4. Recycled PET Fabric

Material: Recycled polyethylene terephthalate (Recycled PET)
Sustainability Direction: Promotes plastic recycling and reduces waste, providing durability, moisture resistance, and solvent resistance.

5. Recycled PET Carpet

6. Bio PU Foam

Material: Bio polyurethane (natural oils)
Sustainability Direction: Maintains the resilience and flexibility of conventional polyurethane while minimizing environmental impact.

7. Bio Paint

Material: Rapeseed oil, vegetable oil
Sustainability Direction: More sustainable than petroleum-based alternatives, reduces chemical waste generated during manufacturing processes.

8. BTX-free Paint

Material: Free from benzene, toluene, and xylene
Sustainability Direction: Minimizes the use of hazardous substances, delivering a high-quality finish with reduced environmental impact.

9. Recycled PET Yarn

Material: 100% recycled PET yarn
Sustainability Direction: Utilizes recycled plastic to reduce waste, incorporating more than 70 recycled bottles per vehicle to enhance sustainability.

10. Recycled PET Felt

Material: Recycled PET felt
Sustainability Direction: Enhances driving comfort through acoustic absorption, delivering a driving experience as satisfying as the vehicle’s appearance.

1. Bioplastic

Material: Vegetable oils, corn extract, sawdust, and sugarcane
Sustainability Direction: Reduces dependence on fossil fuels and minimizes exposure to harmful chemicals.

2. PCM Plastic

3. Bio PU

Material: Bio polyurethane
Sustainability Direction: Reduces overall carbon emissions, incorporates plant-based components, contributing to a more sustainable material balance.

4. Recycled PET Fabric

Material: Recycled polyethylene terephthalate (Recycled PET)
Sustainability Direction: Promotes plastic recycling and reduces waste, providing durability, moisture resistance, and solvent resistance.

5. Recycled PET Carpet

6. Bio PU Foam

Material: Bio polyurethane (natural oils)
Sustainability Direction: Maintains the resilience and flexibility of conventional polyurethane while minimizing environmental impact.

7. Bio Paint

Material: Rapeseed oil, vegetable oil
Sustainability Direction: More sustainable than petroleum-based alternatives, reduces chemical waste generated during manufacturing processes.

8. BTX-free Paint

Material: Free from benzene, toluene, and xylene
Sustainability Direction: Minimizes the use of hazardous substances, delivering a high-quality finish with reduced environmental impact.

9. Recycled PET Yarn

Material: 100% recycled PET yarn
Sustainability Direction: Utilizes recycled plastic to reduce waste, incorporating more than 70 recycled bottles per vehicle to enhance sustainability.

10. Recycled PET Felt

Material: Recycled PET felt
Sustainability Direction: Enhances driving comfort through acoustic absorption, delivering a driving experience as satisfying as the vehicle’s appearance.

1. Bioplastic

Material: Vegetable oils, corn extract, sawdust, and sugarcane
Sustainability Direction: Reduces dependence on fossil fuels and minimizes exposure to harmful chemicals.

2. PCM Plastic

3. Bio PU

Material: Bio polyurethane
Sustainability Direction: Reduces overall carbon emissions, incorporates plant-based components, contributing to a more sustainable material balance.

4. Recycled PET Fabric

Material: Recycled polyethylene terephthalate (Recycled PET)
Sustainability Direction: Promotes plastic recycling and reduces waste, providing durability, moisture resistance, and solvent resistance.

5. Recycled PET Carpet

6. Bio PU Foam

Material: Bio polyurethane (natural oils)
Sustainability Direction: Maintains the resilience and flexibility of conventional polyurethane while minimizing environmental impact.

7. Bio Paint

Material: Rapeseed oil, vegetable oil
Sustainability Direction: More sustainable than petroleum-based alternatives, reduces chemical waste generated during manufacturing processes.

8. BTX-free Paint

Material: Free from benzene, toluene, and xylene
Sustainability Direction: Minimizes the use of hazardous substances, delivering a high-quality finish with reduced environmental impact.

9. Recycled PET Yarn

Material: 100% recycled PET yarn
Sustainability Direction: Utilizes recycled plastic to reduce waste, incorporating more than 70 recycled bottles per vehicle to enhance sustainability.

10. Recycled PET Felt

Material: Recycled PET felt
Sustainability Direction: Enhances driving comfort through acoustic absorption, delivering a driving experience as satisfying as the vehicle’s appearance.

Third Action
Bio Fabrication

Kia is advancing its development of biomaterials through pioneering research. One prominent future-oriented project is the development of a mycelium-based leather alternative using mushroom mycelium, which is underway in collaboration with excellent partners. Kia believes that technology should serve as a medium that connects us more deeply with nature.

Reference scene for mycelium-based leather alternative development showing mushroom mycelium structure

Cross-section of a mycelium leather alternative prototype made from compressed mushroom mycelium

Scene of hands comparing sustainable material samples with different textures

Kia’s journey toward a sustainable
future
begins with the responsible
use
of resources and meaningful
change
for future generations.

Grounded in a design philosophy
that pursues balance and harmony,
Kia continues its movement toward
the future by putting circular
and
sustainable material strategies
into practice.

This journey toward
sustainability
continues
without pause.

Responsible Material Design

Drawing inspiration from nature, we think beyond just the materials themselves.

First Action Halting Leather Use (Leather-free)

Second Action 10 Material Solutions

1. Bioplastic

Third Action Bio Fabrication

Kia MYCEL Project

This journey toward sustainabilitycontinues without pause.

Drawing inspiration from nature,
we think beyond just
the materials themselves.

Third Action
Bio Fabrication

This journey toward
sustainability
continues
without pause.