Kia’s designers have utilised flax, hemp and mushrooms as part of its Concept EV2’s interior design.
Showcased at Kia’s Transcend Journey exhibit at Milan Design Week 2025 last week, it reflects Kia’s ‘Opposites United’ design philosophy; blending compact dimensions with spacious flexibility that the company says offers “a highly functional, environmentally mindful space that responds to the needs of modern urban life.”
While not much is mentioned in the announcement about the use of hemp specifically, the use of mycelium is. Mycelium is the root-like, thread-like structure of a fungus. Two types of mycelia have been used in the concept EV2.
“The first is a mycelium-infused polyurethane (PU), applied across the overall light blue surfaces in the interior. Fine brown speckles – actual mycelium particles – are embedded throughout, adding natural texture and depth,” says Kia. “The second is a grown volume material, created by mycelium cells that bind cellulose from agricultural waste into solid structure.”
The natural insulating properties of the latter make it ideal for use in the door armrest says the firm, demonstrating function and environmental consideration.
As for flax, it has been used for key structural components within the Concept EV2’s cabin, such as the back seat shell and front seat substructures. Flax is cultivated as a food and fiber crop in temperate regions of the world.
While it would have been nice to see more detail on Kia’s use of hemp, it’s great to see another auto manufacturer considering the plant’s potential as a more environmentally friendly alternative to fossil fuel based plastics that are posing a significant threat to ecosystems.
Kia certainly isn’t the first. Way back in 1941, Ford developed a hemp-based material. But it wasn’t used in Ford’s production vehicles for reasons unknown. More recently, BMW has been experimenting with hemp for some years, and Harley-Davidson’s LiveWire S2 Mulholland has some components made from hemp.
In September last year, Volkswagen announced a partnership with Germany’s Revoltech to research and develop materials based on industrial hemp waste – including imitation leather.
The use of bioplastics and textiles in vehicles are among the many thousands of applications for industrial hemp.
Kia’s designers have utilised flax, hemp and mycelium from mushrooms as part of its Concept EV2’s interior design. Read More
