Mazda Makes Parts of 2015 MX-5 From Plants, Possibly Phasing Out Interior Paint

Mazda's latest materials project is bioplastic, which is pretty much what it sounds like, plastic made from plant-based materials. These will make the manufacturing process more environmentally friendly than using petroleum-based plastics, and will also lessen the long-term environmental impact of the car. Mazda has already named it too: Mazda Biotechmaterial.

The material is highly heat resistant, always a good thing, and can also be dyed, alleviating the need to paint it. Dyed material will be as lustrous as painted materials, but will be more resistant to fading, which is a major plus. The bioplastic can be used for many of the interior components too, including upholstery, as well as some exterior components. Mazda Biotechmaterial will first see use in the 2015 MX-5 interior (although we don't know which ones), and on later models' exterior.