Tightening environmental regulations are challenging the automotive industry. Dinamica sustainable and recyclable premium microfiber suede is providing comfort and luxury while supporting the automotive OEMs to achieve their ambitious environmental goals. Being a pioneer in sustainability for more than two decades, the material is now covering the interior of well-recognized recent car models by global OEMs like the Mercedes-Benz AVTR concept car, the Volkswagen ID.3 or the new Audi Q2.

The automotive interior is becoming a decisive factor in the car user’s buying decision, the company says. A survey conducted by Asahi Kasei Europe in October 2019 revealed, that within the interior, the end user’s need towards surface materials that are premium and yet sustainable is rapidly growing. 57% of the respondents thought that sustainable materials for seat covers and surfaces will be becoming increasingly important in the next five to ten years, while the need for real leather equipment will fall drastically.

80% less emissions and energy consumption

Miko, an Italian subsidiary of US-based Sage Automotive Interiors (a member of the Asahi Kasei Group) is the producer of the ecological microfiber Dinamica . The material is mostly covering automotive seats and headrests, headliners, door panels or steering wheels. The recycled polyester contained in the microfiber derives from polyester fibres (T-shirts, fibres, etc.) and PET-Plastic (bottles, packaging materials, etc.).

Recycling polyester means a reduction of energy consumption and CO2 emissions into the atmosphere by 80% compared to the traditional petrol-based polyester production process, according to the fibre maker. Dinamica is produced using an innovative water-based manufacturing process in which no harmful chemical solvents are used. This process compacts the fibres, making them elastic and resistant. The use of neutral, non-toxic dyes and recycled polyester is a further guarantee of the natural approach adopted, the company adds.

A pioneer in sustainability

Miko is a small Italian company and pioneer in sustainability. In 1997, together with Asahi Kasei, it patented the Dinamica raw material made from recycled plastic. Further actions, aimed to support sustainable development, have followed, such as quality and environmental certifications: Environmental Product Declaration - EPD, ISO 14001, ISO 9001, International Automotive Task Force - IATF 16949, OEKO-TEX Standard 100, PETA-approved Vegan and the CSR Report focused on the issue of all-round sustainability.

Sustainable artificial suede leather

The attention to sustainability and the refined look of Dinamica have conquered the automotive world, the company says. In particular, prestigious car manufacturers such as Mercedes-Benz, VW Group, Jaguar-Land Rover, Volvo and Chevrolet, to name just a few, choose Dinamica with a growing awareness to cover their new models.

Recent projects developed with Dinamica interiors include the Taycan, the first full-electric car by Porsche, the Mercedes-Benz AVTR concept car, the new Corvette C8 Stingray, the Volkswagen ID.3 and the new Jeep Grand Wagoneer. According to the brand-new collaboration with Audi, the new Q2 is covered by Dinamica.

Miko Website

Asahi Kasei Website