Kia plans to use recycled plastic from a 55-tonne haul recently reclaimed from the Pacific Ocean in its new EV models. The record-breaking amount was removed from the water by Kia’s global partner, The Ocean Cleanup.
Marking the next phase in a seven-year global partnership that is part of Kia’s transformation into a leading sustainable mobility solutions provider. An international non-profit, The Ocean Cleanup, landed its plastic catch Victoria, Vancouver Island, Canada.
Using the organisation’s System 002 extraction technology, and following a lengthy voyage through the Great Pacific Garbage Patch (the world’s largest accumulation of floating waste), the haul will be recycled.
While it’s only a small chunk of the estimated surface area of 1.6 million square kilometres of rubbish (the equivalent to three times the size of France), a portion of the material is destined for future Kia models.
Already, Kia has successfully implemented more than 30 sustainable solutions in various product areas, including fabrics and carpets using recycled PET, bio-based alternative leather, and BTX-free paint.
In the case of the EV9, the brand’s 7-seat all-electric SUV flagship model, for example, upcycled waste, including fishing nets retrieved from the ocean, is used to create the vehicle’s floor carpets.
Immediately after bringing the record haul to shore, The Ocean Cleanup announced the introduction of its new System 03 technology. Almost three times larger than System 002, it can capture much larger quantities of plastic at a lower cost per kilogram.
It also features more sophisticated environmental monitoring and safety technology, such as a new Marine Animal Safety Hatch designed to protect marine life.
This scale-up marks the next phase towards The Ocean Cleanup’s objective of removing 90 per cent of floating ocean plastic by 2040. Kia also remains steadfast in its commitment to a sustainable planet and the wellbeing of future generations.
This strategy encompasses the brand’s continued and growing support of The Ocean Cleanup. It will be reinforced and represented through the Kia logo and colors appearing on every set of overalls worn by the crew of System 03.
