Antolin, the global provider of technological solutions for car interiors, has developed a pioneering project that employs mycelium-based natural materials to help reduce the environmental impact of vehicle components. Mycelium is the vegetative part of fungi, so it is found naturally in terrestrial ecosystems.
Thanks to an innovative process, mycelium binds with vegetable residues to develop a structural material with which to produce automotive components. In addition, this form of sustainable production is carbon neutral, as the material development occurs organically directly in the mould, compared to the traditional plastic injection process.
The project increases the efficiency of the circular economy and is the natural response to reduce the use of plastic in automotive parts.
With this innovation, Antolin contributes to decarbonisation and leverages the infinite resources nature provides, setting a precedent for the automotive industry and helping it be implemented in other sectors.
This project also shows how to advance the research of materials and new processes for the automotive industry, with minimal impact on carbon footprints, through the use of 100% biodegradable products at the end of their life cycle, compared to non-biodegradable products that can end up in oceans and rivers. In addition, it gives a second life to waste of natural origin that can be implemented in an industrial setting.
By researching these types of solutions, Antolin wants to offer its customers innovative, high-impact proposals, helping them introduce fully sustainable materials, structures and processes into their future vehicle programmes to meet decarbonisation goals across the automotive value chain.