"The Ocean Cleanup, Kia's Partner, Achieves Milestone with 55-Ton Ocean Plastic Recovery"

Kia intends to incorporate recycled plastic from a recent 55-ton retrieval from the Pacific Ocean into its upcoming electric vehicle (EV) models. This impressive quantity of reclaimed plastic, made possible through the partnership with the international non-profit project The Ocean Cleanup, signifies the next phase of their seven-year collaboration established in April 2022. This alliance is a pivotal part of Kia's transformation into a leading provider of sustainable mobility solutions.

The Ocean Cleanup, a renowned organization dedicated to ridding the oceans of plastic, successfully brought back this substantial plastic haul to Victoria, Vancouver Island, Canada. The record-breaking retrieval took place after a lengthy journey through the Great Pacific Garbage Patch (GPGP), which is the world's largest accumulation of floating waste, covering an estimated surface area equivalent to three times the size of France. The extraction of the plastic was achieved using The Ocean Cleanup's System 002 technology.

The process of recycling the collected plastic will commence shortly, with Kia incorporating a portion of this material into its future vehicle models. This initiative aligns seamlessly with Kia's commitment to providing sustainable mobility solutions that make a significant impact on achieving widespread sustainability.

Kia has already successfully integrated more than 30 sustainable solutions across various product areas. Examples include using recycled PET for fabrics and carpets, adopting bio-based alternative leather, and employing BTX*-free paint. In the case of the EV9, Kia's flagship 7-seat all-electric SUV model, the vehicle's floor carpets are crafted from upcycled waste, including fishing nets retrieved from the ocean. Approximately 34 kilograms of recycled plastic and bio-based, eco-friendly materials are used in constructing the EV9 components.

Following the retrieval of the record-breaking plastic haul, The Ocean Cleanup introduced its new System 03 technology. System 03 is nearly three times larger than System 002 and can capture significantly larger quantities of plastic at a lower cost per kilogram removed, operating continuously throughout the year. It incorporates advanced environmental monitoring and safety features, such as a Marine Animal Safety Hatch designed to protect marine life. This expansion represents the next phase in The Ocean Cleanup's mission to remove 90% of floating ocean plastic by 2040.

Kia remains steadfast in its dedication to a sustainable planet and the well-being of future generations. This commitment is evident through its ongoing and expanding support of The Ocean Cleanup, with the Kia logo and colors prominently featured on the crew's overalls for System 03.

Charles Ryu, Senior Vice President and Head of the Global Brand & CX Division at Kia Corp., emphasized the significance of this partnership: "The record catch of plastics brought to shore by The Ocean Cleanup for recycling is tangible proof of how technology can deliver sustainable solutions at scale. Kia’s partnership with The Ocean Cleanup demonstrates the brand’s commitment to having a positive impact."

Nisha Bakker, Director Partnerships of The Ocean Cleanup, expressed the organization's ambitious plans for the future: "Beyond System 03, we plan to deploy a fleet of systems that together will be capable of removing 50 per cent of the GPGP every five years. However, we cannot do this alone. Committed and valued partners, and particularly our global partner Kia, remain essential for The Ocean Cleanup to bring our shared ambitions of plastic-free oceans to reality."<bottom>