Quick Takeaways
- Tokai Rika bamboo fiber composite material achieves its first automotive application with BAMBOO+ used in Lexus IS interior parts.
- The development highlights Tokai Rika’s push toward sustainable automotive materials and eco-conscious design.
Tokai Rika Co., Ltd. has announced that its BAMBOO+, a bamboo fiber composite material, has been adopted in automotive parts for the first time. The material is used as a decorative component for the ornament panel of the new Lexus IS, marking a significant milestone for sustainable material applications in vehicle interiors.
Tokai Rika bamboo fiber composite BAMBOO+ enters mass production
To support commercialization, Tokai Rika’s newly acquired manufacturing plant in Kochi Prefecture began full-scale production of BAMBOO+ in November 2025. The facility enables stable supply of the bamboo composite material while supporting increased demand from automotive interior applications.
BAMBOO+ material features and processing advantages
BAMBOO+ contains up to 55% bamboo fibers, giving it a distinctive natural shade and texture that enhances interior design quality. The material can be molded using standard injection molding machines, allowing manufacturers to integrate it into existing production lines without major equipment changes.
Key characteristics of the BAMBOO+ bamboo composite material include:
Collaborative development supporting sustainable automotive materials
Tokai Rika has been developing BAMBOO+ since 2021 through collaboration with Miroku Techno Wood Co., Ltd., its associated company involved in producing automotive bamboo steering wheels in Nankoku City, Kochi Prefecture. The development effort also involved Kochi Prefecture, including the Kochi Prefectural Industrial Technology Center and the Kochi Prefectural Paper Industry Technology Center.
Through the adoption of the Tokai Rika bamboo fiber composite in the Lexus IS, the company demonstrates how renewable materials can be effectively integrated into automotive interiors while maintaining design quality, manufacturability, and performance standards expected in premium vehicles.
Tokai Rika bamboo fiber composite BAMBOO+ enters mass production
To support commercialization, Tokai Rika’s newly acquired manufacturing plant in Kochi Prefecture began full-scale production of BAMBOO+ in November 2025. The facility enables stable supply of the bamboo composite material while supporting increased demand from automotive interior applications.
BAMBOO+ material features and processing advantages
BAMBOO+ contains up to 55% bamboo fibers, giving it a distinctive natural shade and texture that enhances interior design quality. The material can be molded using standard injection molding machines, allowing manufacturers to integrate it into existing production lines without major equipment changes.
Key characteristics of the BAMBOO+ bamboo composite material include:
- High bamboo fiber content for improved sustainability
- Compatibility with conventional injection molding processes
- Natural appearance suitable for premium interior decoration
- Consistent quality for automotive-grade applications
Collaborative development supporting sustainable automotive materials
Tokai Rika has been developing BAMBOO+ since 2021 through collaboration with Miroku Techno Wood Co., Ltd., its associated company involved in producing automotive bamboo steering wheels in Nankoku City, Kochi Prefecture. The development effort also involved Kochi Prefecture, including the Kochi Prefectural Industrial Technology Center and the Kochi Prefectural Paper Industry Technology Center.
Through the adoption of the Tokai Rika bamboo fiber composite in the Lexus IS, the company demonstrates how renewable materials can be effectively integrated into automotive interiors while maintaining design quality, manufacturability, and performance standards expected in premium vehicles.
Company Press Release
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