Mazda Unveils Biofabric For Car Interiors

Anthony Fontanelle
November 7, 2007

The Mazda Motor Corp. has unveiled its innovative biofabric for car interiors made entirely from plant-derived fibers. Biofabric does not contain any oil-based materials and is being commended as another step towards an “eco-friendly car society”.

The fabric has been developed in partnership with Teijin Ltd and Teijin Fibers Ltd companies with R&D and manufacturing sites near the automaker’s headquarters in Hiroshima. The fabric was showcased on the seat covers and door trim in the all-new Premacy Hydrogen RE Hybrid. The said hybrid was displayed at this year’s much-concluded Tokyo Motor Show.

According to the Japanese automaker, the new biofabric is resistant to abrasion and damage from sunlight; it is also flame retardant while still meeting the highest quality and durability standards needed for vehicle seat covers. Currently, the Hiroshima-based automaker now intends to strengthen its future research and development on non-food-based materials.

Seita Kanai, Mazda’s Director and Senior Executive officer in charge of R&D, has this to say: “We are convinced that our new technology, which enables the manufacture of this material without any oil-based resources, will become a cornerstone for future biotechnologies aimed at reducing the burden on the environment.”

Last year, Mazda developed a bioplastic which is used on the Premacy Hybrid’s instrument panel and other interior fittings. All of Mazda’s biomaterials fall under the “Mazda Biotechmaterial” brand name.

The biofabric is made of 100 percent polylactic acid – a plastic made by combining significant numbers of lactic acid molecules that are made from fermented carbohydrates such as plant sugars. Other vital qualities necessary for the highest performing fabrics, such as fire retardant properties, were achieved through Mazda’s accumulated experience in surface technologies built up through years of co-operation with several local companies.

Mazda has developed a new exhaust catalyst which manages to reduce the amount of expensive precious metals used by 70 to 90 percent. The breakthrough has come through using what is known as single-nanotechnology, reported Car Pages, a British company. Single-nanotechnology is a technology that can control even smaller particles than nanotechnology.

Nanotechnology as defined by the OED is “the branch of technology that deals with dimensions and tolerances of less than 100 nanometres, especially the manipulation of individual atoms and molecules”. A nanometer is one thousand millionth of a meter.

The innovation enables the maker of Mazda alternators to slash the amount of platinum and palladium used without affecting the performance of purifying gas emissions without compromising high durability of conventional catalysts. In automotive catalysts, precious metals promote chemical reactions that purify exhaust gases on their surfaces. In conventional catalysts, the precious metals are adhered to a base material, the report continued.

Exposure to exhaust gas heat causes the precious metal to group together into bigger particles. This decreases the catalyst’s effective surface area and the ability of the catalyst to work proficiently. This is then opposed by the utilization of significant amounts of precious metals.

Source:  Amazines.com