At Kia‘s Transcend Journey design installation this week at Eastend Studios in Milan, Italy, during the Milan Design Week 2025 event, its designers revealed new details on the inspiration behind their more sustainable Concept EV2 interior design ideas. Unveiled at the brand’s EV Day in Barcelona in February, the B-segment electric SUV is said to embody Kia’s forward-thinking approach to urban mobility.

The concept’s cabin combines flexible design and environmentally conscious color, material, and finish (CMF) concepts for a unique user experience. Kia worked with Bcomp, Simplifyber, and Biomyc to enhance circularity and accelerate the development and production of bio-produced materials that can replace commonly used contemporary synthetics such as plastics in its future vehicles.

“The industry-leading expertise of our partners in bio-based composites allowed us to redefine what’s possible in automotive interiors with the Concept EV2,” said Nathalie Bucher, Senior Designer for CMF at Kia Europe Design Center. “As we aim to bring innovative material solutions to the mass market, ongoing collaborations with companies like Biomyc, Simplifyber, and Bcomp ensure that every material aligns perfectly with our vision, reinforcing our commitment to creating stylish, environmentally aware, and high-quality vehicles for the future.”

Swiss cleantech company Bcomp provided its AmpliTex material for the concept’s back seat shell and front seat substructures. Building upon Bcomp’s previous collaboration with Kia on its Concept EV3 and Concept EV4, the partnership is intended to continue demonstrating the potential for large-scale implementation of bio-based composites, paving the way for wider adoption in production vehicles.

Replacing conventional synthetic materials with AmpliTex is said to be a responsible design choice without compromising on performance or aesthetics. It reduces the overall weight of the vehicle while maintaining levels of strength and robustness required for a lifestyle-focused SUV while enhancing fuel efficiency.

Derived from flax fibers, it offers lightweighting benefits, enhanced durability, and a refined aesthetic to elevate the interior experience. The material offers end-of-life benefits, supporting a more environmentally conscious approach to automotive interior design including the ability to be recycled into composite pellets for further reuse.

Bcomp worked with the CMF designers at Kia Europe Design Center to develop a custom dark-blue finish, enhancing the vehicle’s visual appeal with a vibrant colorway.

“Our collaboration with Kia on the Concept EV2 is another step toward the mainstream adoption of natural fiber composites in automotive interiors,” said Nicolas Samson, Sales Manager at Bcomp. “Kia’s forward-thinking approach to mobility aligns perfectly with our mission to push the boundaries of innovative interior solutions, and together we’re proving that such materials can enhance both vehicle aesthetics and functionality at scale.”

Simplifyber developed and produced the Concept EV2’s dashboard and door panels using its next-generation cellulose-based formulation called Fybron. Kia is the first automotive brand to apply the material made from a mix of sources, including wood, paper, and/or recycled textiles in vehicle design. The formulation used for the concept interior consists of 56% FSC (Forest Stewardship Council)-certified cellulose fibers (31% wood pulp, 25% lyocell), 21% FSC-certified natural rubber latex, 12% bio-based binders, and 11% synthetic fibers.

The liquid-based manufacturing process eliminates the need for spinning or weaving, with the material produced on-site at Simplifyber’s facility in Raleigh, NC. The resulting components would arrive at Kia manufacturing facilities already in the desired shape and with the correct texture, minimizing production offcuts and significantly reducing assembly time. The material innovation allows for soft/flexible and rigid components, delivering the necessary durability on the same assembly line and showcasing the dexterity of the company’s manufacturing system.

“In providing cost-effective and environmentally mindful ways of replacing plastics within the Concept EV2 dashboard, Kia is leading the industry in this collaboration,” said Maria Intscher-Owrang, CEO and Co-Founder of Simplifyber. “Our materials are a step forward into new design territory, enabling greater manufacturing efficiency at a lower price—and Kia is showing how that can be done.”

Kia’s partnership with Bulgaria-based Biomyc incorporates durable, biodegradable components crafted from mushroom material, the hemp and mycelium employing an advanced coloration process that precisely matches the brand’s specified Pantone shades. Biomyc designed a complex mold and developed a method to grow a part to serve as both insulation and a visually impactful design element with a “flawless” mycelium skin.

Mycelium is a renewable, bio-based material with good insulation properties, helping to create a more comfortable cabin environment while reducing its reliance on synthetic, non-biodegradable materials.

Two distinct types of mycelium materials are used. The first is a mycelium-infused polyurethane applied across the overall light blue surfaces in the interior. Fine brown speckles—actual mycelium particles—are embedded throughout, adding natural texture and depth. The second is a grown volume material created by mycelium cells that bind cellulose from agricultural waste into a solid structure. Its natural insulating properties make it ideal for use in the door armrest, where it demonstrates both functional and environmental consideration.

As part of the project, Biomyc created more than 180 samples as a part of a research project to explore ecologically aware coatings, paints, and additives capable of modifying the color of the mushroom-based material. Each option was selected based on criteria including supply and overall environmental impact.

“Kia’s commitment to pioneering environmentally conscious materials in automotive design made this an ideal collaboration,” said Atanas Enev, Founder & Lead Designer at Biomyc. “Its bold vision aligned perfectly with our expertise in mushroom material, from advanced molding and coloration to rapid prototyping. Together, we’ve shown that innovative materials can meet automotive standards and move from an idea to a real-world concept without compromise. It’s a bold step for mycelium material adoption.”

The Concept EV2’s interior was designed to reflect Kia’s “Opposites United” design philosophy by blending compact dimensions with spacious flexibility, offering a functional, environmentally mindful space for modern urban life.

The interior design takes cues from the overarching “picnic in the city” lifestyle concept, with balconies and terraces serving as the central inspiration. The concept integrates lifestyle-focused features, including seat headrest-integrated speakers, portable door speakers, detachable seat cushions, and pop-up luggage dividers to enhance leisure activities like a city picnic.

With everyday usability in mind, Kia focused on maximizing the functionality of the first-row space. The second-row seats fold up against the rear bulkhead so the front seats can slide far back to expand the cabin. Additional extendable-side seat elements expand the cabin laterally to support various activities.