Kia Corporation and The Ocean Cleanup have formally commenced a seven-year cooperation to explore innovative ways to co-create solutions that will support a more sustainable future. Ho Sung Song, President and CEO of Kia Corporation, and Boyan Slat, Founder and CEO of The Ocean Cleanup, signed an agreement to officially confirm their global partnership.

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Garbage in the ststem 002 haul by The Ocean Clesnup in October 2021
Plastic waste retrieved from the great pacific garbage patch. (photo: The Ocean Cleanup)
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Garbage in the ststem 002 haul by The Ocean Clesnup in October 2021
Plastic waste retrieved from the great pacific garbage patch. (photo: The Ocean Cleanup)

Fruitful collaborations

For seven years, Kia will support The Ocean Cleanup as an official “Global Partner” via financial contributions and in-kind supplies to support ocean operations and the construction of the various river cleaning devices – The Ocean Cleanup’s Interceptor Solutions. The Ocean Cleanup, a Netherlands based non-profit organisation, is developing and scaling technologies to rid the world’s oceans of plastic. They aim to achieve this goal by taking a two-sided approach: stemming the inflow via rivers with Interceptor Solutions and cleaning up what has already accumulated in the ocean.

The Ocean Cleanup signed a partnership agreement with Coca-Cola Vietnam in January 2022 to stem the tide of plastic pollution in the Mekong Delta region. In 2021, The Coca-Cola Company became a global implementation partner for The Ocean Cleanup’s river project.

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The Ocean Cleanup granulate material resourced from plastic waste.
The Ocean Cleanup granulate material resourced from plastic waste. (photo: The Ocean Cleanup)
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The Ocean Cleanup granulate material resourced from plastic waste.
The Ocean Cleanup granulate material resourced from plastic waste. (photo: The Ocean Cleanup)

Sustainable use of plastics

“Plastic is not inherently a bad material, but we must use it responsibly. We demonstrate how we can turn pollution into a solution by launching applications that help clean the oceans and simultaneously – together with our partner Kia – provide proof that recycled plastic can be used sustainably. I hope that we can inspire others to do the same,” said Boyan Slat, Founder and CEO of The Ocean Cleanup, “This cooperation is the next step in our efforts to prevent that our catch does not end up back in the environment while using its value to support our cleanup efforts further.”

In addition, Kia will also supply The Ocean Cleanup with four electric vehicles, including one EV6 and three Niro EVs, to the organisation’s headquarters in the Netherlands. In return, The Ocean Cleanup will supply usable fractions of the collected plastic and share the organisation’s research results and relevant data on reducing plastic pollution with Kia.

Virtuous Recycling Loop

This partnership is one of the key strategies in Kia’s corporate vision to build a sustainable future for mobility. Kia plans to increase its percentage of plastic re-use to 20 percent by 2030 and expects to further contribute to environmental protection by establishing and activating a “Virtuous Recycling Loop” to minimize climate impact when disposing of vehicles. 

Ho Sung Song, President and CEO of Kia Corporation, commented, “The key to Kia’s vision for a sustainable future is not just to change the product and service areas, but to make positive changes for the planet,” and added,  “Kia will continue to make inspirational movements through open partnerships with various partners with innovative technologies and ideas like The Ocean Cleanup.”

This news item was originally published on the website of The Ocean Cleanup