AIW speaks to Michael Ries, professor of soft matter physics at the University of Leeds, about his upcoming appearance at the InteriVision Forum at Automotive Interiors Expo 2026, which will take place at the Messe Stuttgart, Germany, on June 23–25. At the forum, Ries will explore the potential of all-cellulose composites as sustainable, high-performance materials, discussing recent advances in processing, structure-property optimization and application development, as well as their role in supporting circular-economy goals and the transition to a net-zero future
What will your presentation at the InteriVision Forum be about?
All‑cellulose composites form an emerging class of sustainable, high‑performance materials in which both the matrix and the reinforcement originate from the same renewable biopolymer. Their entirely cellulose‑based structure removes interfacial compatibility issues, enables straightforward recycling and allows complete biodegradation at the end of life. This presentation will explore recent advances in processing technologies, strategies for tailoring structure-property relationships, and examples of new application areas. By uniting materials innovation with circular‑economy principles, all‑cellulose composites are well placed to contribute significantly to the next generation of sustainable materials needed for a net‑zero future.
What first drew you to working with sustainable or bio-based materials?
What began as “blue‑sky research,” driven purely by curiosity, centered on a deceptively simple question: why is cellulose, the most abundant polymer on the planet, so difficult to dissolve? That question initiated a series of fundamental studies into cellulose dissolution, and from that emerged the understanding needed to create composites made entirely from natural materials, without synthetic resins, glues, or epoxies.
Alongside the scientific challenge, the work was driven by a growing awareness of the need for responsible innovation as society moves away from the throwaway consumerism that has defined much of the recent past. Our oceans, landscapes and ecosystems underpin human life, yet it is remarkable how effectively we have damaged the very systems that sustain us.
At the same time, this transition brings real opportunity. Developing sustainable materials is not only environmentally necessary; it also opens new commercial possibilities and creates space for new markets to emerge.
How do you personally and as a company decide between performance requirements and sustainability goals?
A genuine commitment to sustainability has to be absolute; anything less simply does not withstand the realities of developing truly sustainable products. The technical and commercial challenges are significant, and progress only happens when senior leaders are prepared to champion the innovation and stay with it through the difficult stages. From there, the task is to align the technology with real‑world needs and to understand the full economic value across the entire product lifecycle. Only then can sustainability become both credible and commercially viable.
Do you see consumer demand significantly influencing innovation in sustainable materials?
There is no shortage of good intentions when people try to make sustainable choices, but public understanding is still largely shaped by the marketing stories companies choose to tell. Consumers are certainly becoming more aware, yet it is still the manufacturer’s narrative that frames what we perceive as “sustainable.”
Consider the contrast between battery technologies and traditional fuels. The headline message sounds positive, but little attention is given to the environmental and social consequences of extracting lithium, cobalt, nickel, manganese, graphite or copper. Meanwhile, if a product arrives in recyclable or “eco‑friendly” packaging, that information is prominently displayed. So, although interest in sustainable products is clearly increasing, much of it is driven by selective information rather than a genuine understanding of the full environmental footprint.
How do you measure success for a new sustainable material beyond technical performance?
The first question we have to ask is what we actually mean by sustainable materials, because every material depends on a supply chain. Changing one part of that chain may improve its sustainability, but it can just as easily create negative consequences elsewhere. To make meaningful progress, the entire supply chain and full product lifecycle must be considered together, not just a single component or stage of delivery. In practice, this includes the energy used to manufacture, transport and store materials, the packaging required, and the processes that determine the product’s next life or end‑of‑life pathway. All these factors contribute to the true environmental impact. Yet finding reliable data on any of this is difficult. Supply chains remain opaque, and the metrics used to assess sustainability are inconsistent. As a result, consumers are left without the information they need to make genuinely informed choices.
What role do policy and regulation play in accelerating the adoption of sustainable materials?
The decisive factor is policy. Without clear regulations and enforceable laws, progress on sustainability will neither be fast enough nor deep enough to make a meaningful difference. And this cannot be approached in isolation; it has to be considered at a global level. That means establishing international standards, improving transparency across supply chains and creating mechanisms that ensure compliance, whether through taxation, restrictions or the removal of non‑compliant products from the market.
At the same time, we must recognise that no country operates in a vacuum. Not all nations have the raw materials, infrastructure or economic capacity to be fully self‑sufficient. Global trade is unavoidable, and with it comes the need for compromise. The challenge is to design a system that supports sustainability while acknowledging the realities of international interdependence.
Where do you see the field heading in the next decade?
There is a growing recognition that our current model of global trade and limitless consumer choice may not be compatible with a sustainable future. A shift toward more localized or regional supply chains seems increasingly inevitable, even though it runs counter to the last half‑century of outsourcing to low‑cost economies. Germany, for example, is openly concerned about becoming an industrial “desert” as electric‑vehicle battery production remains dominated by China; its long‑standing strength in drivetrain engineering no longer aligns with the direction of the automotive sector. Relying on self‑regulation will not solve these challenges. It tends to present consumers with a version of sustainability that reflects the manufacturer’s priorities rather than the full environmental reality.
Automotive Interiors Expo Europe 2026 takes place on June 23-25 at the Messe Stuttgart in Germany.
Click here for your FREE pass to attend the expo and forum.
See the complete line-up of InteriVision Forum speakers here.
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