Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia July 5, 2024 – Kia Corporation and The Ocean Cleanup, a non-profit organisation that develops and scales technologies to rid the world’s oceans of plastic, are increasing their global footprint to accelerate the co-creation of solutions that will engender a more sustainable future by battling pollution and increasing collaboration efforts to nurture a cleaner and healthier environment.
The Ocean Cleanup recently opened its first regional office in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia with plans to build closer ties with local communities, and strategically plan, coordinate, and implement initiatives to address plastic pollution throughout waterways in Southeast Asia.
To commemorate the partnership and mark this geographical milestone, Kia will support The Ocean Cleanup’s newly opened regional office with a brand-new Kia vehicle. The vehicle will seamlessly assist the organization’s day-to-day operations and conducting field research in remote and inaccessible locations. This strategic partnership aims to underscore Kia’s dedication to creating a cleaner and greener world, aligning with the company’s core belief.
Kia’s pledge to greener mobility is further solidified in its commitment to introduce 10 sustainable items that will define a baseline for the use of sustainable materials in its cars moving forward. To date, Kia has designed and implemented more than 30 sustainable solutions in its car manufacturing process including the use of plant-based components, recycled polyethylene terephthalate (PET) and discarded fishing nets in the production of its car fabrics and carpets.
Kia’s commitment to a better future was underscored at the recent world premiere of the Kia EV3, where it was unveiled as the first Kia model with extensive use of recycled plastic, amounting to approximately 28.5 kg per car. This was achieved by integrating recycled plastic into exterior components like bumper covers, fenders, and door garnishes.
The partnership with The Ocean Cleanup continues to be one of the key strategies in Kia’s corporate vision to build a sustainable future for mobility. Building on its current efforts and momentum, Kia plans to increase its percentage of plastic re-use to 20 percent by 2030 and expects to further contribute to environmental protection by establishing and activating a “Virtuous Recycling Loop” to minimize climate impact when disposing of vehicles.
