CALGARY – Volvo is planning to add environmentally-friendly textiles to its record of socially conscious car design. New models are now going to have standard seating fabric that is safe for you and your family.
The new fabrics will be based on Oeko-Tex, a new textile standard introduced in the 90′s. It’s the result of a strategic partnership of 14 textile research and testing organization in Europe and Japan. Volvo, in its typical trend-setter style, is the first car company to ensure its standard auto product will be Oeko-Tex compliant.
The idea was spawned by a a shopping trip by Paul Welander, Volvo’s Senior Vice President, Quality and Customer Satisfaction. Welander apparently noticed the Oeko-Tex certification tag on some overalls he purchased for his children. Welander then pitched the use of the same certification on Volvo car upholstery.
His idea got the “green light” and it was full speed ahead. The first model to roll off the assembly line fully certified was Volvo’s S80 luxury sedan. Now all Volvos will follow in the footsteps of the S80.
The new standard has Volvo testing all textiles inside the vehicle, including the seat belts. In fact, Volvo decided to ensure that the materials used in the trunk and cargo areas of their vehicles would also be Oeko-Tex compliant.
The standard specifies more than just the textile materials. It also includes a list of over 100 substances or emissions that cannot exceed certain levels. In other words, it’s not just about what you can absorb through your skin, but also covers what you can breathe in as materials “out gas”. Andreas Andersson, in charge of passenger compartment development, said, “There are many people with various allergies today and over-sensitivity has increased drastically in recent years. Having a clean in-car environment is important.”
While Volvo maintains its reputation as the socially conscious car company with this move, it is a real win for those with chemical sensitivities or allergies and other breathing conditions like asthma.
Source: Calgary Herald
