Mazda recently announced it’s developed a fabric for car interiors made entirely from plant-derived fibres. First shown on the seat covers and door trim of the all-new Premacy (read Mazda5) Hydrogen RE Hybrid at the Tokyo Motor Show late last year, it was developed under the Hiroshima-based automaker’s “Mazda Biotechmaterial” brand name. The fabric does not contain any oil-based materials, is resistant to abrasion and damage from sunlight and is flame retardant while still meeting the quality and durability standards needed for vehicle seat covers. The biofabric is made of 100 percent polylactic acid — a plastic created by combining large numbers of lactic acid molecules made from fermented carbohydrates like plant sugars. This is not the first time the Premacy Hybrid’s had the bio-treatment. In 2006 Mazda developed a bioplastic instrument panel for the mini-minivan.