Mitsubishi Motors Corporation, along with Aichi Industrial Technology Institute, has developed an automotive interior material that uses a plant-based resin, polybutylene succinate (PBS), combined with bamboo fiber. Parts made from the material will be used in the interior of a new-concept minicar, to be launched in Japan in 2007. Mitsubishi Motors has dubbed its independently developed plant-based resin technology, including this PBS-bamboo fiber resin, "Green Plastics". According to tests, this PBS/bamboo-fiber prototype achieves an estimated 50% cut in lifecycle CO2 emissions over polypropylene. VOC (volatile organic compounds) levels are also reduced drastically over processed wood hardboards (roughly 85%).

Lear Corporation, one of the world's premier automotive interior suppliers, has introduced two polymer materials - natural fiber acrylic and natural fiber polypropylene, to be used in auto interior trim products. These ultra- lightweight and recyclable materials optimize occupant safety and have cost saving potential due to a reduction in weight and replenishability. The natural fiber acrylic polymer has been developed for automotive door panel trim, package tray and trunk applications. A "modular binder system" allows stiffness and impact resistance to vary as per customer specification, along with offering exceptional lightweight properties. The natural fiber Polypropylene for door trim and trunk trim is made from plants combined with polypropylene. In this natural fiber, Lear replaced the flax fiber with kenaf, hemp and jute. Additional improvements in mechanical properties were achieved with the use of coupling agents that improve the chemical bonding of fiber and polypropylene. The material has superior elasticity, providing high impact resistance. This new "elastic" environment could mean improved occupant safety by eliminating potentially sharp edges caused by conventionally brittle panels that may fracture during an accident.

DuPont is in the process of developing a new generation of tough, chip-resistant automotive refinish products reinforced with newly invented bio-based polymers derived from corn sugar. The new coatings, to be available by end of 2007, will be made using renewably sourced intermediate ingredients that are biodegradable and virtually non-toxic. Intermediates for DuPont Sorona polymer and DuPont Hytrel made with renewable resources will be made from corn sugar instead of petroleum, using a patented and proprietary process. The key ingredient in Sorona is Bio-PDO, which replaces petrochemical-based 1,3-propanediol (PDO). Hytrel is produced using a new DuPont polyol made with Bio-PDO. Manufacture of Bio-PDO requires approximately 40% less energy to produce than its petrochemical-based counterpart - saving the equivalent of about 10 million gallons of gasoline pa (based on annual production volumes of 100 million pounds).

The environment friendly materials to be used in the automotive industry will lead to tremendous changes resulting in cost reduction, weight reduction, energy saving and increased safety.