CUPRA team up with SEAQUAL to create sustainable seats

• CUPRA Born bucket seats use upcycled materials removed from the Mediterranean Sea
• SEAQUAL® YARN polymer created from material found by fishermen and volunteers in seas, oceans, rivers and estuaries
• Collaboration reaffirms CUPRA’s commitment to innovation and a more circular economy
• The CUPRA Born’s world premiere will take place on May 25th

CUPRA has worked with SEAQUAL INITIATIVE to manufacture the bucket seats for the CUPRA Born from upcycled materials found in the Mediterranean Sea.

The CUPRA Born’s new bucket seats will be created from a recycled polymer fibre fabric, called SEAQUAL® YARN. Marine litter from beaches, the ocean floor and surface, or entering oceans from rivers and estuaries, is collected by a clean-up programme and sorted into different material types. The plastic is cleaned, treated and recycled into yarn that has almost identical in physical properties to virgin polyester.

The material is produced thanks to the collaboration of fishermen, NGOs and local communities, who collect the material and helps to preserve the Mediterranean’s natural resources

The joint project with SEAQUAL INITIATIVE contributes to a more circular economy and the continuous cleaning of the planet’s seas, rivers and oceans.

CUPRA Director of Strategy, Business Development and Operations Antonino Labate commented: “With the CUPRA Born, our first 100% electric vehicle, we’re entering a new electric era. The partnership with SEAQUAL INITIATIVE to create the seats for this new model demonstrates that sustainability, innovation and contemporary design are a perfect combination. CUPRA is a brand that inspires the world from Barcelona, which is why we are committed to circular-economy projects and helping preserve a natural resource which is very close to us, the Mediterranean.”

SEAQUAL INITIATIVE Managing Director Michel Chtepa added “We’re delighted to be involved in the launch of CUPRA Born, the brand’s first 100% electric vehicle. We’re very proud to partner with CUPRA and make a difference in contributing to a cleaner ocean and a cleaner environment.”

SEAQUAL INITIATIVE works with NGOs, fishermen, authorities and local communities to help clean up the seas and oceans. Marine litter from our beaches, ocean and seas floor and surface, rivers and estuaries is collected through clean-up programmes. After sorting the different types of materials, the plastic is cleaned and transformed into recycled marine plastic, which is used to create SEAQUAL® YARN.

The CUPRA Born, the brand’s first all-electric car, will also be CUPRA’s first vehicle to be produced net CO₂-neutral. The new vehicle will be manufactured in Zwickau, Germany, based on the modular electric platform (MEB), where energy from renewable sources is used in the supply chain. The remaining emissions are offset by environmental and project investments certified to the highest standards.

The world premiere of the CUPRA Born will be broadcast on YouTube Live on Tuesday 25 May at 11:00 BST (CUPRA BORN WORLD PREMIERE - YouTube) as well as on the brand’s social media channels: Twitter (@CUPRA) and LinkedIn (CUPRA).