Closing the materials loop is a key factor in automotive sustainability initiatives. JLR and Mercedes-Benz are two car companies that place a high priority on innovative solutions related to this initiative.

JLR today announced that it has developed a closed-loop polyurethane foam in collaboration with Dow and Adient. This is the first time that closed-loop foam content has been used in automotive manufacturing.

Polyurethane foams are particularly difficult to recycle, unlike steel, leather, aluminum, plastics or other materials that make up a vehicle. They are designed to last and can take decades to decompose in a landfill.

JLR plans to test the material throughout its manufacturing process and explore its feasibility on a large scale in pre-production vehicles early next year. It’s one part of a larger “circle seat” project that JLR is working on.

The company estimates that this new style of seat would cut the CO2e (carbon dioxide equivalent) emissions impact of creating the seats in half, which is the equivalent of charging nearly 3,000 smartphones.

Mercedes is also trying to reduce its carbon footprint and create a circular supply chain for materials. Recent biotechnological materials research focuses on the use of secondary materials and renewable raw materials in vehicles.

The materials the company is researching are not derived from crude oil or animals as part of a larger Mercedes-Benz research and development initiative aimed at reducing the environmental impact of every component and material “as much as possible”, with circularity as the ultimate goal.

During a media-only event at a workspace in Böblingen, Germany, the company demonstrated how it uses genetically modified bacteria to produce silk proteins. These proteins are then refined into silk yarn using a wet spinning process. Synthetic silk has the same properties as regular silk.

Mercedes has already started using silk in its vehicles. The Vision EQXX and Concept CLA Class feature silk on the handles and door pockets.

A leather alternative made from recycled plastic and biological materials is also showing promise. Created using a multi-step process, the new synthetic leather has “the same texture as real leather and can be made like real leather using re-tanning processes”, the company said.

Artificial leather has other advantages: It is breathable, waterproof and lighter than real leather. The material also has a reduced CO2 footprint.