The shift towards sustainable and circular practices in the automotive industry is driving the development of eco-friendly materials for soft trims. This research explores the development and integration of sustainable textile solutions using recycled polyethylene terephthalate (rPET) from post-consumer waste and bio-based fibers such as banana and bamboo in various fabric forms—woven, knitted, and non-woven. Applications studied include seat fabrics, headliners, parcel shelves, and wheel arch liners.
rPET textiles demonstrated promising strength, aesthetic appeal, and durability performance, while significantly reducing carbon footprint. Blends of rPET and virgin PET were optimized to balance properties with sustainability targets. Banana fibre, an agricultural by-product abundantly available in India, was explored for headliner substrates and parcel shelves, offering biodegradability and regional sourcing advantages. Bamboo fabrics, known for their natural antimicrobial properties and enhanced breathability, were assessed for seat fabrics, contributing to occupant comfort, wellness, and sustainability. Comprehensive material testing was performed to validate performance against key automotive standards. The development and integration of recycled and bio-based textile materials directly support India's decarbonization agenda by reducing lifecycle carbon emissions, promoting renewable resource utilization, and enabling circularity in automotive manufacturing, thus contributing towards India's Net Zero 2070 target and 45% emissions intensity reduction commitment by 2030.
The study further discusses challenges in integrating these sustainable materials into existing automotive supply chains, including aspects like cost competitiveness, processing modifications, end-of-life recycling potential, and compliance with global regulations.