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DÜSSELDORF – The Covid-19 pandemic has greatly increased the willingness of car users to invest in solutions to ensure the prevention of pathogens on interior surfaces, as well as those to provide cleaner air in vehicles, according to a major survey by Asahi Kasei.

As a result of the pandemic, the use of public transport and ride sharing services has declined severely across the world – contrary to many sustainable initiatives – while cars have become viewed as safe, infection-free spaces.

The Asahi Kasei survey, conducted in December 2020, suggests that the pandemic will have a lasting effect on existing and future mobility concepts – and on the materials and technologies used inside vehicles.

While in the past, automotive interiors needed to be comfortable, attractive and smooth to the touch, overall cleanliness and safety against invisible threats inside the car have added a new dimension to buyer requirements.

The survey questioned 500 vehicle users in each of the global automotive core markets of Germany, the USA, China, and Japan on their preferences.

While premium and lasting interior looks continue to gain importance, a large majority in each market saw the significance of:

  • Water and dirt repellent surfaces.
  • Surface and seating materials that are easy to wash.
  • Advanced air filtration systems filtering the outside air entering the vehicle.

The survey also indicated the willingness of many new car buyers to pay premiums of around €1,000 each for two theoretical optional packages:

  • A Surface Protect Package, consisting of interior materials that provide anti-viral/ anti-microbial properties, stain and odour resistance and improved weathering and scratch resistance.
  • A Cabin Protect Package, including an automated ventilation system to eliminates microbes and pathogens in cabin air, monitor CO2 levels and provide active occupant sensing for child/pet left behind.

Detailed findings of the survey can be accessed here.

“This new survey confirms the results of our first survey from October 2019, in which cleanliness was already was a big topic for car users in Europe,” said Heiko Rother, general manager of automotive business development at Asahi Kasei Europe. “Automotive manufacturers must now respond the concerns about invisible threats on surfaces and in the air, both in private cars, but also for current and future mobility concepts.

“With its Healthy Car portfolio including antimicrobial seat fabrics and plastics, as well as UVC-LED solutions for in-car air filtration, Asahi Kasei is already at the forefront and looking forward to teaming up with the automotive industry and contributing to a safer mobility.”

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