Toyota plans eco plastic interiors for 2009 cars

[amg]

Toyota has announced plans to add carbon neutral plant-based plastics to future car interiors. The Japanese car maker hopes that its new 'Ecological Plastic' materials will account for 60 per cent of interior components in selected cars, including plant-dervied polyester for sun visors and kenaf fibre for door trims.

The Ecological Plastics will combine bioplastics and conventional petroleum-based plastics, with the aim of reducing the carbon footprint emitted during the car's lifecycle. The company claims the eco interiors are equal to standard plastics "in terms of quality and productivity."

[amg]

Battery car uses eco-friendly plastics

Norwegian battery car maker TH!NK is using a light, resilient and 100 percent recyclable form of expanded polypropylene called Arpro to enhance its new City car's ecological potential - and the beauty of Cape Town to enhance its eye appeal.

The car's door and instrument panels are made of Arpro and laminated with fabric in a one-step process.

Its high strength-to-weight ratio allows the City's interior panels to withstand impacts without significant deformation and return to their original shape.

Arpro supplier Paul Compton said: "The instrument panel and door panels have to withstand moisture, fire and harsh temperatures. Its successful high temperature test results and recyclable properties led to Arpro being chosen for the City."

TH!NK chief engineer Christian Blom added: "The car is 95 percent recyclable. This makes it not only environmentally friendly to drive but it also will not pollute the environment after its usable life."