Electric performance car brand Polestar is using novel materials to reduce the carbon footprint of its interiors.
This includes Bcomp’s natural fiber composite. Bcomp’s powerRibs and ampliTex technologies can turn natural fibers into lightweight interior panels. They are up to 50% lighter – but stronger – than traditional interior panels, with an 80% reduction in plastic content.
A 3D knit material is used for seating surfaces, with a single thread used to produce a three-dimensional individual component. The base material is yarn 100% recycled from PET bottles, with Polestar saying waste is removed from production as the material is made to size with no off-cuts.
Cork and fishing nets from the wine and fishing industries are also being recycled into interior components. Waste material from cork manufacturing is integrated into PVC interior components. Recycled Nylon 6 from discarded fishing nets is turned into woven carpets.
Maximilian Missoni, head of design at Polestar, said design and luxury do not need to be sacrificed with the materials. “If anything, they enable even more premium, cutting-edge, modern and stylish executions, which elevate our design-led products. It also presents a positive challenge, giving new meaning to interior design. We are able to derive new aesthetics from new contexts and technologies, allowing society to move on,” he explained.
