Japanese firms Teijin, Suminoe Teijin Techno and Nissan Motors have co-developed seat and interior trim surface using Teijin’s proprietary bio-based polyester fibre material.

The Eco Circle Plantfiber bio-polyester will be used in the seats and interior trim surface of the 100% electric Nissan LEAF. According to Teijin, it is the first time for the Eco Circle material to be used for the interior ( seats, parts of the door trim, headrests and centre armrest.) of a mass-produced vehicle.

Eco Circle Plantfiber is 30% sugarcane biofuel-based. Teijin’s bio-polyester fibre conserves fossil resources and lowers greenhouse gas emissions due to its carbon neutral effects, yet still offers the same characteristics and quality of oil-derived polyester.

Teijin has been expanding ECO CIRCLE Plantfiber’s global market for applications ranging from apparel, car seats and interiors to personal hygiene products. The company aims to increase sales to over 50% of its total polyester fiber sales for automotive seats and interiors by 2015.

(PRA)

Electronic Editions 2012