Teijin Limited has announced that its ECO CIRCLE Plantfiber bio-polyester has been selected for use in the seats and interior trim surface of the 100% electric Nissan LEAF. It is the first time for ECO CIRCLE Plantfiber to be used for the interior of a mass-produced vehicle.

The seat and interior trim surface were co-developed by Teijin, automotive seat manufacturer Suminoe Teijin Techno Co., Ltd. and Nissan Motor Company Ltd. Specifically, ECO CIRCLE Plantfiber is used for the seats, parts of the door trim, headrests and center armrest.

More than 30% of ECO CIRCLE Plantfiber's composition is made with biofuels derived from sugarcane. Teijin's bio-polyester fiber conserves fossil resources and lowers greenhouse gas emissions due to its carbon neutral effects, yet still offers the same characteristics and quality of oil-derived polyester.

Teijin has been expanding ECO CIRCLE Plantfiber's global market for applications ranging from apparel, car seats and interiors to personal hygiene products. The company aims to increase sales to over 50% of its total polyester fiber sales for automotive seats and interiors by 2015.

Teijin is a technology-driven global group offering advanced solutions in the areas of sustainable transportation, information and electronics, safety and protection, environment and energy, and healthcare. Its main fields of operation are high-performance fibers such as aramid, carbon fibers & composites, healthcare, films, resin & plastic processing, polyester fibers, products converting and IT.