INS9-1632
Application of Bio-based and Natural Polymer Materials for Automotive Interior Parts
Topic
S9. Polymer Technology for Sustainability
When and Where
Sep 29, 2026
17:05 - 17:30
Room 313
Session Chairs
Dongyeop OH
Presenter(s)
CHANWOOK PARK (Interior Materials Development Team, Materials Research and Engineering Center, Hyundai Motor Company)
Co-Author(s)
Abstract
In response to the global climate crisis, nations worldwide have declared carbon neutralities and are undertaking extensive efforts to reduce CO₂ emissions. The automotive industry, in particular, has begun managing carbon emissions not only from greenhouse gases released during vehicle operation, but also from a full life cycle assessment (LCA) perspective encompassing the production, processing, use, and end-of-life disposal of vehicles, components, and materials. Hyundai, Kia, and Genesis have committed to achieving carbon neutrality by 2045. Toward this goal, our research is actively being pursued on bio-based and natural materials that exhibit negative carbon factors at the production stage and are capable of sequestering carbon within the material matrix, alongside ongoing efforts in recycled material development. In the field of engineering plastics, the primary focus is on developing low-carbon, lightweight materials through bio-plastics utilizing biomass-derived monomers and composites incorporating natural-sourced fillers. For interior leather substrates, key research directions include the utilization of natural resources such as mycelium and fruit byproduct, as well as increasing bio-based polyurethane (PU) content, with the aim of replacing conventional animal-hide leather and petroleum-derived synthetic PU leather. This research evaluates the contribution of bio-based and natural materials to carbon reduction in automotive interior parts through increasing bio-content and diversifying feedstock sources, and discusses current technical limitations along with potential strategies to address them.
