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The alliance funds removing plastic from the oceans and reusing them in Kia processes.

According to a press release, automobile manufacturer Kia Corporation and The Ocean Cleanup, a non-profit in the Netherlands that focuses on ridding the ocean of plastics, have signed a global partnership in a move towards a more sustainable future.

As part of the partnership, Kia will provide financial support to the non-profit. It will also recycle some of the retrieved plastics in Kia’s “production and value chain process.”

Kia will be a global partner and give contributions to The Ocean Cleanup for seven years. Kia will also donate four electric vehicles to be used at the Netherlands headquarters.

Ho Sung Song, President and CEO of Kia Corporation, said in the press release, “The key to Kia’s vision for a sustainable future is not just to change the product and service areas, but to make positive changes for the planet." He continued, “Kia will continue to make inspirational movements through open partnerships with various partners with organizations like The Ocean Cleanup that have innovative technologies and ideas."

In turn, The Ocean Cleanup will provide Kia with usable plastics for production and share data from research. “Plastic is not inherently a bad material, but we must use it responsibly. We demonstrate how we can turn pollution into a solution by launching applications that help clean the oceans and simultaneously – together with our partner Kia – provide proof that recycled plastic can be used sustainably. I hope we can inspire others to do the same,” said Boyan Slat, Founder and CEO of The Ocean Cleanup in the press release. “This cooperation is the next step in our efforts to ensure that our catch does not end up back in the environment while using its value to support our cleanup efforts further.”