2024 Kia EV9 showcases innovative materials

Kia's three-row EV9 electric crossover will be a zero-emission kid hauler when it goes on sale at the end of this year. But the 2024 EV will also introduce 10 innovative applications of sustainable materials to underscore Kia's earth-friendly direction.

The automaker has a longer-term goal to achieve carbon neutrality across its global operations by 2045, and Kia hopes to get there through its Design Sustainability Strategy. The initiative includes integrating plant-based components and developing new bio-based materials. Kia also said it will phase out the use of leather in all new Kia vehicles.

The concept of sustainable materials is not new to the industry or to Kia. The 2014 Soul EV featured components made out of bioplastics and sugar cane bio-fiber. Kia also uses recycled PET (polyethylene terephthalate) and discarded fishing nets to make some of its fabrics and carpets, addressing 640,000 tons of fishing gear that ends up in the oceans each year, interrupting the ocean's ecosystems and killing all types of marine life as well as sea birds and seals. But the upcoming EV9 will set a new baseline for the use of cleaner, greener materials across Kia's line.

These are the sustainability materials Kia has embraced.

Bioplastic is produced using renewable biomass sources such as vegetable oils, corn extract, sawdust and sugar cane. The EV9 has incorporated it into its dashboard, console, pillars and garnishes.

Post-consumer material plastic is made from recycled material from existing products. Kia will create the EV9's door garnishes out of post-consumer material plastic to help reduce landfill-clogging plastic waste.

Bio polyurethane is produced using polyols derived from plant-based oils and will serve as the foam for Kia's seats, interior coverings and coatings. Kia's use of bio polyurethane will enable it to replace leather seating. Bio polyurethane foam will be used in the EV9's headrests.

The easily recycled polyethylene terephthalate plastic resists impact, moisture and solvents and will be used to cover surfaces inside the vehicle.

The EV9's cabin floors will use carpets made from recycled PET and fishing nets. Kia will offer an option to choose PET carpet produced partially with material from recycled fishing nets.

Recycled PET fabric will be used in the EV9's seats, headliner, sun visor, garnish and headrests.

Kia's production process of PET fabric includes recycled yarn, which increases the material's durability. The recycled yarn will be used in the EV9's seat stitching.

Soft and durable felt made with recycled PET bottles will be used on the EV9's luggage board.

Kia has sourced bio paint made with rapeseed oil, which is also used in the food and pharmaceutical industries. The EV9 will use bio paint on its door switch panels.

Benzene, toluene and xylene are volatile organic compounds commonly found in petroleum, gasoline, coal and wood tars. Kia will used a water-based BTX-free paint to coat the EV9's entire interior, except for the door window switch panel.