Škoda Vision O: Following circular economy principles for sustainable vehicle production

› The Vision O prioritizes recyclability by featuring a mono-material interior design
to simplify recycling processes
› Integration of leather waste and plant-based components without compromising on quality or aesthetics

Mladá Boleslav, September 8, 2025 – The name Vision O is derived from the concept of circularity. It stands for designing, producing, using, and ultimately recycling the car in a sustainable way to minimize the environmental impact throughout the entire lifecycle – especially by using mono-materials that are easier to recycle and process. This approach also integrates functionality and user experience – demonstrating how circular materials can be used without compromising on quality or aesthetics. Škoda Auto thinks beyond the life cycle of materials, implementing waste-free production methods through careful management of processes and the reuse of by-products, which are recycled and repurposed. Recycled materials come from various sources, including post-production waste and recycled components. For example, Rec PES primarily uses plastic bottles that are collected, cleaned, shredded into small pieces, melted down, and spun into yarns, which are then woven into fabric. This process helps reduce waste and the need for new raw materials, ensuring that nothing is wasted and every material finds its purpose.

"For Škoda, it is a clear target to use recyclable materials and environmentally friendly products as much as possible. Using recycled and recyclable materials in the Vision O is important, and it’s part of a wider effort. We carefully consider how components are sourced, manufactured, packed and transported, as well as people’s working conditions and the environment. This is central to responsible supply-chain management – it’s about the materials we buy and how they’re made and moved. With the Vision O, we’ve worked on building a closed-loop system that minimizes environmental impact."

Karsten Schnake, Member of the Board of Management for Procurement

The bespoke headrest was designed deriving from Škoda’s mono-material approach, having one material which combines function, comfort, and design. The Ultrasint TPU is flexible, durable, and recyclable, derived from zero-waste production. Škoda aimed for a mono-material headrest, which means decreasing the number of components into one material fulfilling all the requirements for the final product. The biggest requirement was comfort and durability. The final result is a 3D printed structure in a honeycomb shape that gradually opens up from a solid bottom to an airy structure towards the top. The open structure is responsive to pressure, soft as a pillow.

Large parts of the interior, such as the middle console, handrests, dashboard, or steering wheel, are covered with Ultrasuede NU, a material that contains 65% plant-based components. This material has a transparent coating with mica pearl pigments, providing a subtle colour shift. The entire floor of the Vision O is veneered with NABORE, a material made from upcycled leather waste. This innovative use of recycled materials transforms production scraps into a durable and visually appealing interior feature.