Mercedes-Benz is increasingly focusing on the use of secondary materials and renewable raw materials in its vehicles. The company is also conducting intensive research into new solutions that are in harmony with nature. One focus here is materials produced using biotechnology. They have enormous potential to replace those derived from crude oil and animals.
To achieve the company’s sustainability goals, Mercedes-Benz Research and Development has initiated a technology challenge. The aim is to reduce the environmental impact of every component and material as far as possible. Everything is being scrutinised to reduce CO₂ emissions, increase the use of recycled materials and enable a circular economy. The question relates to innovative concepts and new technological approaches. The technology challenge aims to generate the most sustainable solutions possible for series production. For Mercedes-Benz, sustainability and luxury go hand in hand. This is demonstrated by two examples from current research and development that take advantage of biotechnology: Using biotechnology to make silk that is exquisite and high-performance and a highly realistic leather alternative made from recycled plastic and biotechnology-based materials.
High Mercedes-Benz quality standards for innovative new materials
Before a material is used in series-production Mercedes-Benz vehicles, it must undergo a series of checks and intensive long-term testing. This ensures that it fulfils the company’s own high standards in terms of functional quality as well as luxury look-and-feel. Surface materials, especially on the seats, must have a certain structural strength to avoid the formation of creases, ripples, or pressure marks. They must be able to withstand temperature differences of around 100 degrees, direct sunlight, abrasion from denim, products such as sunscreen and disinfectants as well as perspiration. And they must do so over a long period of time, without becoming unstable, discolouring or emitting odours. It is equally important that they are easy to clean, waterproof and suitable for decorative stitching, embossing and dyeing in different colours. Seat upholstery must also ensure good heat transfer for seat heating and good air permeability for ventilation.
Aerodynamic and virtually maintenance free: the more sustainable in-drive brake
As electric vehicles brake primarily through recuperation, Mercedes-Benz is taking a pioneering new direction in the development of mechanical brakes. The innovative, more sustainable brake currently under research no longer occupies its conventional location inside the wheel. Instead, it is integrated into the electric drive unit at the front or rear axle. It occupies very little space – and according to the latest research, is subject to minimal wear, doesn’t rust and is virtually maintenance-free. This would make it very durable and reliable. In addition, there would be no particulate emissions into the atmosphere. Braking noise and brake cleaning could also become a thing of the past. The braking effect is easy to control and does not fade even under heavy loads.
The innovative design also enables a significantly lighter wheel/tyre combination and therefore lower unsprung mass, which, in turn, improves ride characteristics. In addition, it would facilitate fully closed rims for optimised aerodynamics, as openings for brake cooling would no longer be required.
