Kia Partners with The Ocean Cleanup to Create Sustainable Car Accessory

Kia Corporation has introduced the world's first car accessory made from plastic extracted from the Great Pacific Garbage Patch. This groundbreaking product, a limited-edition trunk liner for the upcoming Kia EV3, marks a milestone in the company's partnership with The Ocean Cleanup, a non-profit organization dedicated to ridding the world's oceans of plastic.

The innovative trunk liner features a geometric wave pattern inspired by The Ocean Cleanup's plastic collection process. It will be available in select markets, coinciding with the EV3's launch in selected markets. Each liner includes a QR code providing product details and information about the partnership, along with The Ocean Cleanup logo.

Sustainable Manufacturing and Quality Assurance

The trunk liner is composed of 40% recycled ocean plastic, 35% TPV, and 25% inorganic materials. To ensure the highest quality, the reclaimed plastic undergoes a rigorous sorting, recycling, and processing procedure to meet Kia's strict standards. The product's traceability and material integrity are verified through a Chain of Custody Standard.

Charles Ryu, Executive Vice President at Kia, emphasized the significance of this development: "This partnership is not only a testament to our shared commitment to environmental stewardship and innovation, but a worldwide movement to create cleaner, healthier oceans for future generations."

Boyan Slat, Founder & CEO of The Ocean Cleanup, added: "We are so grateful to have a visionary and passionate partner in Kia, who shares our vision of ensuring that the plastic we extract from the Great Pacific Garbage Patch is given a new life in sustainable items."

Kia's Broader Sustainability Goals

This initiative is part of Kia's larger commitment to sustainability. The company aims to increase the use of recycled plastics in its vehicles to more than 20% by 2030. Kia has already incorporated recycled materials in its latest electric models, including the EV6 and EV9, which use recycled fishnets for flooring and plastic bottles for seat fabrics.

The partnership between Kia and The Ocean Cleanup, which began in 2022, focuses on transforming ocean plastic waste into practical products for the automotive industry. This collaboration represents a significant step towards creating a circular resource system for ocean plastic within the sector.

While the EV3 model is not yet available in Canada, more information about its launch will be provided closer to its release date. To learn more about Kia's sustainable initiatives and upcoming models, visit our dealership or contact us for the latest updates.

To learn more about Genuine Kia Accessories, visit Kia.ca