Kia is planning to incorporate recycled plastic from a 55-ton haul retrieved from the Pacific Ocean into its upcoming electric vehicle (EV) models. This remarkable quantity of plastic was collected by Kia’s global partner, The Ocean Cleanup, as part of their ongoing seven-year partnership that began in April 2022. This collaboration is a significant part of Kia’s transformation into a prominent provider of sustainable mobility solutions.
The Ocean Cleanup, an international non-profit organization dedicated to eliminating plastic from the oceans, successfully retrieved this plastic collection in Victoria, Vancouver Island, Canada. The plastic was collected from the Pacific Ocean using The Ocean Cleanup’s System 002 extraction technology after traversing the Great Pacific Garbage Patch (GPGP).
The recycling process of this plastic will commence soon, and Kia intends to utilize a portion of this material in their future vehicle models. This initiative aligns with Kia’s commitment to delivering sustainable mobility solutions that contribute significantly to achieving sustainability on a large scale.
Kia has already implemented over 30 sustainable solutions across various product areas, including the use of recycled PET in fabrics and carpets, bio-based alternative leather, and BTX-free paint. For instance, in the case of their EV9, a flagship 7-seat all-electric SUV model, Kia uses upcycled waste, including ocean-retrieved fishing nets, to create the vehicle’s floor carpets. Components constructed from recycled plastic and eco-friendly bio-based materials in the EV9 weigh around 34 kilograms.
Following the successful retrieval of the record-breaking plastic haul, The Ocean Cleanup introduced its new System 03 technology, which is nearly three times larger than System 002. System 03 can capture significantly larger quantities of plastic at a reduced cost per kilogram removed, and it operates year-round. It also boasts advanced environmental monitoring and safety features, including a new Marine Animal Safety Hatch designed to protect marine life. This scaling up is the next step in The Ocean Cleanup’s goal of removing 90% of floating ocean plastic by 2040.
Kia remains unwavering in its commitment to a sustainable planet and the well-being of future generations. This commitment is exemplified through the brand’s continuous and growing support for The Ocean Cleanup, with the Kia logo and colours now prominently displayed on the overalls worn by the crew operating System 03.
Charles Ryu, Senior Vice President and Head of the Global Brand & CX Division at Kia Corp., commented:
“The record catch of plastics brought to shore by The Ocean Cleanup for recycling is tangible proof of how technology can deliver sustainable solutions at scale. Kia’s partnership with The Ocean Cleanup demonstrates the brand’s commitment to having a positive impact. Initiatives such as this one perfectly align with Kia’s transition to a sustainable mobility solutions provider and our Plan S strategy, through which we embrace the needs of our customers and the protection of our environment by acting as a responsible corporate citizen.”
Nisha Bakker, Director Partnerships of The Ocean Cleanup, said:
“This record delivery marks the end of the System 002 era for The Ocean Cleanup, and the perfect platform as we launch System 03. We are moving forward step-by-step, and we believe that System 03 represents the size of system required to scale up and expand our cleanup in the most economical way. Beyond System 03, we plan to deploy a fleet of systems that together will be capable of removing 50 per cent of the GPGP every five years. However, we cannot do this alone. Committed and valued partners, and particularly our global partner Kia, remain essential for The Ocean Cleanup to bring our shared ambitions of plastic-free oceans to reality.”