Plant-based polymer composite used in car interior

Japan’s Mitsubishi Motors is to use a novel plant-based polymer composite in the interior of its new mini-car launched next year. In conjunction with Aichi Industrial Technology Institute, it has developed a material that uses a plant-based resin, polybutylene succinate (PBS) combined with bamboo fibre. PBS is composed of succinic acid – which is derived from fermented corn or cane sugar – and 1,4-butanediol. Bamboo grows quickly and is seen by Mitsubishi as a sustainable resource.

In lifecycle tests, the PBS-bamboo fibre composite achieves a 50% cut in carbon dioxide emissions compared with polypropylene. Volatile organic compound levels are also drastically reduced, by roughly 85%, over processed wood hardboards. The company said: “In an effort to help stop global warming, slow the depletion of our oil reserves, and protect our forests, Mitsubishi Motors plans to substitute plant-based resins and quick-growing plant fibres for materials such as petroleum-based resins and wood hardboards used in car interiors.”