Swiss materials company Bcomp has partnered with electric vehicle manufacturer Polestar to incorporate its lightweight, bio-based materials into the Polestar 5 four-door electric grand tourer. The vehicle uses Bcomp’s ampliTex flax-fibre technology and powerRibs reinforcement structures in the front seatbacks and tailgate, reducing reliance on virgin plastics.

The partnership has resulted in a customised ampliTex flax fabric called the ‘Polestar Signature Weave’, developed to combine structural performance with interior aesthetics. According to Polestar, Bcomp’s flax-based composites use 50% less fossil-based material and can be up to 40% lighter than the conventional plastics they replace.

Depending on the application, the company’s natural-fibre composites can also reduce the cradle-to-gate carbon footprint of components by up to 60%. The materials have undergone validation for automotive requirements, including durability, safety, UV and scratch resistance, and long-term ageing performance.

Bcomp said the project demonstrates how bio-based material concepts can be developed into components suitable for large-scale automotive production. Per Martensson, the company’s chief revenue officer, highlighted the combination of lightweighting, reduced carbon footprint and end-of-life considerations in the Polestar 5 seatbacks.