Prius gets greener with bio-based dashboard component

Toyota's new hybrid vehicle, Prius α, features automotive interior parts made of DuPont Sorona EP polytrimethylene terephthalate polymer, a high-performance, renewably-sourced thermoplastic resin with performance and processability similar to petroleum-based polybutylene terephthalate (PBT), contributing to the advanced interior design of the vehicle while also reducing the environmental footprint.

Developed in close collaboration with DuPont Kabushiki Kaisha (Tokyo), Toyota Motor Corporation (Aichi), Kojima Press Industry Co. (Aichi) and Howa Plastics Co. (Aichi), the parts are used on the instrument-panel air-conditioning system outlet. Sorona EP was selected for this precisely engineered, functional component for its heat resistance and durability required to control the intensity and direction of the air blowing out of the outlet.

DuPont Sorona EP polymers contain between 20 percent and 37 percent renewably sourced material (by weight) derived from plant sugar. Sorona EP thermoplastic polymer production reduces both carbon dioxide emissions and the use of petrochemicals used to produce the PBT that is typically used for conventional auto interior parts. Sorona EP also offers lower warpage and improved surface appearance, compared to PBT, to help streamline the manufacturing process.-[email protected]