CALLUM'S NEW RECIPE FOR A MORE SUSTAINABLE AUTOMOTIVE INTERIOR
According to a new study by design and engineering consultancy, CALLUM, coffee, eggs, walnuts, rice and lentils could be just as likely found in your future car's interior as they would your shopping basket. The company's designers and engineers went beyond materials already under consideration to identify fresh sustainable options its customers could benefit from through its new Sustainable Materials Study (SMS). Using a classic 911 restomod interior as the basis for the research, the team led by Charlotte Jones and Ian Callum identified coffee pulp, eggshells, red lentils, walnuts and rice as viable materials for a car interior in 2030.
With thousands of tonnes of food wasted every day in the UK alone, CALLUM consulted with green-tech company, Ottan, to determine the most appropriate materials capable of replacing plastics, yet still meeting the rigorous design, environmental and engineering requirements of a car. Solutions identified to meet typical temperature and wear specifications included eggshells mixed with resin to create a smooth, opaque material with either a glossy or matte surface. Application examples include the trim surround for the 911 ‘s window switches. By adding walnut shells to the eggshells, the recycled content of Ottan's material increases from 78% to 84%.
Out-of-date rice or lentils can be turned into a smooth translucent material, ideal for
