MINI interiors use recycled materials to reduce their carbon footprint.
MINI continues to redefine the look and feel of sustainable luxury, doubling down on its “Less is more” philosophy with a major shift in interior materials. The brand has successfully rolled out its “Secondary First” principle across the MINI family, utilizing innovative knitted textiles made primarily from recycled materials.
This commitment to sustainability has not gone unnoticed, with MINI’s new interior material securing the prestigious SPE Automotive Award 2025 as the overall winner.
“Secondary First”: 92% Recycled Materials
The headline feature of the new MINI interior is a specially developed knit fabric that consists of 92% polyester recyclate.
By replacing primary raw materials with secondary (recycled) ones, MINI significantly reduces both CO₂e emissions and water consumption during production. This eco-friendly material is now a standard fixture in key touchpoints of the cabin, including:
- Dashboard upholstery
- Door trims
- Center console lids
Crucially, the material is completely leather-free, abrasion-resistant, and structurally reinforced, ensuring that sustainability does not compromise durability.
Sneaker-Inspired Design with 3D Depth
Moving away from traditional automotive aesthetics, the new fabric structure draws inspiration from sneaker design.
The knitting process allows for a unique two-colour design that creates an impressive depth effect. This visual trick is achieved by having the colour of the lower textile layer subtly shine through the upper layer, adding visual complexity and a high-quality, distinctive look to the interior surfaces.
Award-Winning Innovation
The textile solution, developed in close collaboration with external partners, was recently honored with the Grand Award in the “Body Interior” category and named the Overall Winner at the SPE Automotive Award 2025. This accolade is considered one of the most prestigious honors in the plastics industry.
Also Featured in the New BMW iX3
The technology is not exclusive to MINI. The upcoming BMW iX3, the first model of the “Neue Klasse,” also utilizes this innovation in its “Contemporary” trim.
