Moving forward together
Our Journey Begins with Cleaning Up Plastics
Today, trillions of pieces of plastic pollute our oceans and rivers causing damage to the marine ecosystem, people and the planet. The Ocean Cleanup has been researching, monitoring and developing the technologies to extract plastic pollution from oceans and intercept ocean-bound plastic in rivers with the mission to rid the world’s oceans of plastic. We do this today in the Great Pacific Garbage Patch (GPGP) with System 03. This plastic extraction system consists of a 2.2km long floating barrier towed between two vessels during trips which last 6 weeks. The plastic is driven into a retention zone which is finally emptied aboard on the vessels. The retention zone is then re-attached in place and the cleanup continues.
Transforming Waste into Worth
Since the beginning, we have always worked to the goal of giving new value to the ocean plastic we clean up. By creating durable new products in collaboration with our partners, we can turn the problem into a valuable solution ensuring that the plastic does not re-enter the oceans. The plastic extracted is recycled following Chain of Custody Standards issued by DNV, an independent verification body that guarantees plastic authenticity and traceability, crucial to ensure value chain integrity, build consumer trust, and prove brands reputation as responsible leader.
Crafting the Products of Tomorrow
The journey of our ocean's extraction ends by transforming plastic into something valuable and enduring. Our Catch Management and R&D teams have collaborated with Kia to develop the world's first car accessory made using ocean plastic extracted from the GPGP: a Limited-Edition Trunk Liner. This product reflects Kia’s commitment to repurposing ocean waste and advancing our mission. For us, this is just the beginning. By integrating extracted plastic into the value chain, we give it a new life, ensuring it never re-enters our waters. Together with our partners, we are crafting the products of the future and the solutions to rid the oceans of plastic.
Powering change: a collaboration towards a cleaner tomorrow
In 2022, The Ocean Cleanup and Kia joined forces in a multi-year partnership that strengthens our mission to rid the world’s oceans of plastic. Kia’s support helps us expand our impact and improve the efficiency of our cleanup efforts. Together, we’re making real progress toward cleaner oceans and a future where innovation and sustainability align.
The Kia partnership supports The Ocean Cleanup through three key pillars:
- Financial contributions to enable The Ocean Cleanup’s operations.
- The provision of mobility solutions in the form of Kia’s vehicles, currently deployed at The Ocean Cleanup’s HQ in The Netherlands and at our projects in Malaysa and Jamaica.
- Repurposing extracted ocean plastic to prevent it from returning to the ocean Kia has produced the first-ever car accessory made using plastic extracted from the Great Pacific Garbage Patch by The Ocean Cleanup. The goal of this partnership is to build a sustainable value chain of operation and to transform the catch into a valuable resource.
Driving the future
Kia is a global mobility brand with a vision to create sustainable mobility solutions for consumers, communities, and societies around the world. Founded in 1944, Kia has been providing mobility solutions for more than 80 years in more than 190 markets.
Kia’s vision is to become a ‘sustainable mobility solutions provider’ and this partnership is not limited to changing products and services. Rather, Kia’s vision for a sustainable future is embodied throughout its entire value chain.
“Together, we are on the journey towards a plastic-free ocean as part of a sustainable planet. Whilst striving for a circular value chain, we find ways to provide each other with resources ensuring that the plastic catch is repurposed into sustainable solutions.”
A 7 year partnership
Kia has demonstrated their commitment to be at the forefront of sustainable mobility solutions. As part of this mission, Kia helps us find ways to repurpose the catch extracted during our cleanup operations, keeping it out of the oceans.
As an international non-profit, The Ocean Cleanup needs financial support to continue our operations both at sea and in the rivers. Kia, as a Global Partner, sustains this mission in line with their vision of sustainable mobility.
Kia is the first Global Partner to repurpose plastic extracted from the Great Pacific Garbage Patch by The Ocean Cleanup.
Together, Kia and The Ocean Cleanup have explored new ways of transforming what has been extracted from The Great Pacific Garbage Patch (GPGP) in the North Pacific Ocean into durable plastic products. The commitment of this partnership is also aimed at improving the value chain to minimize the environmental impact of our operations. Kia and The Ocean Cleanup worked tirelessly to find the most sustainable way to sort, recycle and process The Ocean Cleanup catch to ensure that the material meets the standard that customers expect from their Kia products, which will create additional momentum on their quest to become a sustainable mobility solutions provider.
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Euichul Jeong Head of Kia Strategic Business Planning Division "It is important not only to recognize the problem, but also to find the practical solutions together."
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Boyan Slat Founder & CEO of The Ocean Cleanup "Together with our partner Kia we provide proof that recycled plastic can be used sustainably. I hope that we can inspire others to do the same."
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Riccardo Farina Partnership Manager of The Ocean Cleanup "We are one team working on a common goal, a common vision."
Future steps
We work diligently for a successful and productive partnership and look forward to reflecting on the progress we made and what exciting challenges and opportunities lie ahead of us.
With Kia’s aim to boost recycled plastic application in vehicles to more than 20% by 2030 there is an array of possibilities ahead of us. Kia proudly also intends to enhance its environmental efforts by creating and implementing a “Virtuous Recycling Loop” to reduce the climate impact associated with vehicle disposal.
LAUNCHING THE PRODUCT
In the Great Pacific Garbage Patch (GPGP), plastic waste floats aimlessly, underscoring humanity’s environmental impact. Transforming this waste into valuable products is a complex task, but together Kia and The Ocean Cleanup have made it possible. Our collaboration has led to the creation of a Limited-Edition Trunk Liner. The world’s first car accessory made using recycled plastic extracted by The Ocean Cleanup from the Great Pacific Garbage Patch.
UNITED FOR AN OCEAN FREE OF PLASTIC
In the first year of their partnership, The Ocean Cleanup and Kia established a shared mission to achieve a plastic-free ocean and a sustainable planet. Kia, as a Global Partner, supports this mission by repurposing plastic extracted from the GPGP and creating a circular resource system. Our vision for a sustainable future goes beyond achieving our own goals. It’s about creating a vision that inspires others to join the movement and make a positive impact on our world.
This global partnership not only underscores Kia’s commitment to sustainability but also propels our mission to create a cleaner, healthier planet. Together, we are reaching significant milestones in ridding the oceans of plastic.
Thank you, Kia, for being a true champion of environmental stewardship.
Partner with Us
Join forces with The Ocean Cleanup to transform ocean plastic into innovative products. If you’re ready to create something meaningful and help drive real change, contact our Partnerships team to explore how we can collaborate and make sustainability a reality.