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Made from renewable vinyl and recycled polyester textile, the bio-attributed MicroTech is a “vegan” alternative to leather and comes as standard equipment in the Polestar 3.

Stephen Moore

February 7, 2023

2 Min Read
Bio-attributed PVC used in Polestar seat covers
Image courtesy of Polestar

The recently launched Polestar 3 electric SUV is not only drivable without the need for fossil fuels — featured as standard is a seat-covering material made from renewable polyvinyl chloride (PVC) and recycled polyester textile. The bio-attributed component of MicroTech is derived from tall oil.

Polestar has printed the details of the source, carbon footprint, and percentage of recycled/renewable content on the surface of the upholstery. Optional materials include animal welfare–secured Nappa leather, and animal welfare–certified wool combined with 20% recycled polyester content.

Bio-attributed PVC suppliers include Ineos group company Inovyn with its Biovyn material, and Vynova with its bio-circular PVC portfolio. The materials are manufactured using ethylene derived from waste and residues of biological origin that do not compete with the food chain. Tier I Continental has already started using Biovyn in the production of its technical and decorative surface materials for its automotive customers.

Polestar is also undertaking an ambitious project with multiple partners to decarbonize the complete production of its vehicles. The Polestar 0 project aims to enter its ultimate phase in 2027 to design and construct manufacturing sites and finalize a complete supply chain for high-volume production of climate-neutral vehicles targeted for the early summer of 2030.

Polestar 0 project

The Polestar 0 project seeks to decarbonize the entirety of vehicle production.

The Polestar 0 team is currently looking to find more partners who deal with the most elementary building blocks of material development to join the project. This includes everything from raw material extraction to bio-based plastics and chemicals, electronic components, and other base materials. Current partners include auto interior component Tier I TMG Automotive, a manufacturer of dashboards, door panels and pillars, seat inserts and arm rests, and gear shift covers upholstered with PVC and thermoplastic elastomer.

“We’ve initiated a reset of car making. While we don’t have all the answers yet, we know what isn’t working, and that a greener version of car manufacturing awaits,” said Hans Pehrson, project head of Polestar 0. “We also know that it is through visionaries, transformers, and innovators that we can reach our goal — a car that begins and ends with zero.”

About the Author(s)

Stephen Moore

Stephen has been with PlasticsToday and its preceding publications Modern Plastics and Injection Molding since 1992, throughout this time based in the Asia Pacific region, including stints in Japan, Australia, and his current location Singapore. His current beat focuses on automotive. Stephen is an avid folding bicycle rider, often taking his bike on overseas business trips, and is a proud dachshund owner.

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