Latest Car News From DIGIADS

Latest Car News

New Car Review Areas

General Car Topics

Mitsubishi Motors develops plant-based Green Plastic floor mat


June 2006
 Filed under: MITSUBISHI Car News | MITSUBISHI Headlines

Commercial application of second eco-friendly Green Plastic product due later this year

Tokyo, June 20 2006 — Mitsubishi Motors, in cooperation with Toray Industries, Inc., has developed a high-durability car floor mat using a combination of the plant-based resin polylactic acid (PLA) and nylon fibers. The company announced the development of its first plant-based resin auto product in February 2006 - an interior trim material made from polybutylene succinate (PBS) and bamboo fiber. The new floor mat is the second in the company's independently developed "Green Plastic" plant-based resin auto product line and is due to debut in a Mitsubishi Motors model later this year, ahead of the PBS/bamboo fiber interior trim.
PLA is a plant-based resin that, in principle, will not add to atmospheric CO2. It is made using lactic acid produced through the fermentation of sugar extracted from sugar cane or corn and will be used in the carpet pile facing on floor mats. Mitsubishi Motors has enhanced the material's durability, previously a concern for PLA, by adding a reforming agent and nylon fibers to increase resistance to light and wear.

Testing of the prototype PLA/nylon fiber floor mat confirms that it achieves a 40% reduction in lifecycle CO2 emissions over similar floor mats currently used in Mitsubishi vehicles.

Testing of the prototype also confirms a reduction in volatile organic compounds (VOC) of more than 50% over current floor mats. This comes as a result of steps including the elimination of adhesives from the process of binding the pile facing to the mat backing.

As part of its efforts to stop global warming and slow the depletion of our oil reserves Mitsubishi Motors will continue its independent development of plant-based Green Plastic resins to replace the petroleum-based resins currently used in car interiors. Seeking to build cars that meet the requirements of the Century of the Environment, Mitsubishi Motors plans to phase in a line of Green Plastic resin auto products starting with the PLA/Nylon floor mat announced today and followed shortly by the PBS/Bamboo fiber trim material.

Source: Mitsubishi Motors

Latest MITSUBISHI Headlines

Latest Car News

All images courtesy of and copyright their respective manufacturers, unless otherwise indicated. They may not be reproduced or retransmitted in any way without the express written permission of their respective owners. All trademarks are the property of their respective owners. Model news and specifications are presented as provided by manufacturer, and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of DIGIADS. No warranty is made by DIGIADS with respect to the accuracy or timeliness of the information contained herein.
Copyright © 2000-2024 DIGIADS Australia All Rights Reserved. Contact Us
Designated trademarks and brands are the property of their respective owners. Use of this Web site constitutes acceptance of the DIGIADS Privacy Policy and User Agreement. 		Loading...