In Germany, luxury automaker BMW has said renewable materials will play a large role in its plans to cut its carbon footprint by 2030. The company says it will focus R&D on “environmentally-compatible raw materials” and will work with both startups and established suppliers to develop “pioneering” materials.
“We are setting new standards for sustainable premium quality – by rethinking materials and focusing more than ever on resource-efficient alternatives and renewable materials with strong dismantling capability,” says Stefan Floeck, head of Development Body, Exterior, Interior.
The company already uses renewable raw materials like cellulose, hemp, wood and bamboo, but plans to evaluate wood foams to replace acoustic foams as well as alternative leathers. BMW is working with startup Adriano di Marti S.A. de C.V. on cactus-based material Deserttex, which is comprised of pulverized cactus fibers with a biobased polyurethane matrix. BMW has also made an equity investment in the plant-based material startup Natural Fiber Welding.