On Aug.20, 2026, SUSONITY, a leading innovator in effect pigment technology, announced the successful culmination and market introduction of a three-year, landmark development collaboration with TOYOTA MOTOR EUROPE and the Plastivaloire Group (PVL). Initiated within TOYOTA’s design studio, the collaboration focused on developing premium interior components for the new TOYOTA Aygo X Hybrid and GR SPORT (Model Year 2026). This project is based on SUSONITY’s proprietary effect pigments and utilizes a newly patented innovative large-scale coloring technology to achieve premium marble texture effects on key interior components such as the side air outlets and the center console. It sets a strong precedent for raw material manufacturers to collaborate directly with Tier 1 automotive suppliers and Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs) on aesthetic and material innovation.

From Design Request to Production Line

The collaboration originated three years ago through early exchanges with Toyota’s European design team, as both partners introduced forward-looking design innovations.

These initial discussions led to a specific request from the CMF (Color, Material, Finish) designers to develop interior components featuring a premium marble effect. TOYOTA, SUSONITY and PVL then started a collaborative material development which included:

• Polymer formulation and precise color matching,
• Preparation of specialized compounds for trials and extensive testing,
• Laboratory-based performance testing,
• Tools and process tuning
• Adaptation of production tools and process setting.

To address TOYOTA’s High Quality standards, the development strictly followed TOYOTA requirements, including the selection of the required polymer, the adherence to essential automotive standards, and the successful development of the effect in five specified colors: Cinnamon, Tarragon, Lavendula, Jasmine, and Silver/Black for the GRS Sport Model.

Technical Core: Premium Marble Effect and Spray-Free Coloring Process

The core achievement of this collaboration is the commercial development and application of premium marble effect on key interior components. This effect is achieved through SUSONITY’s proprietary effect pigments, combined with a newly patented innovative large-scale coloring technology, providing a sustainable and aesthetically expressive alternative to traditional coating processes.

Compared to traditional spraying routes, this technology integrates color and effect directly into the injection molding process, eliminating the costly post-coating process while maintaining premium visual and tactile texture. Denis Falaize, Customer Manager of SUSONITY Coatings and Industrial Division, said: “This collaboration goes far beyond the scope of traditional supply agreements. It is a blueprint for the future of material innovation in the automotive industry. By directly bringing our professional capabilities into the Toyota Automotive CMF team, we were able to jointly create a customized, high-end visual and tactile effect. Previously, such effects typically required an expensive post-forming process to achieve.”

Rigorous Two-Step Validation Process

To ensure both design integrity and mechanical performance, the collaboration established a thorough two-step validation process within TOYOTA:

1. Aesthetic Validation: SUSONITY first developed samples in the form of plastic chips, which were sent to the TOYOTA CMF designers for visual confirmation of color accuracy and marble effect consistency,
2. Component Validation (durability): Upon successful aesthetic sign-off, PVL produced 3D parts, which were then sent to TOYOTA R&D Material Engineering Division for comprehensive mechanical and physical testing.

Only after both validation steps were successfully completed did PVL proceed with producing the part samples. This initiated an essential third phase of development, requiring multiple cycles of review by TOYOTA’s CMF and Material Engineering teams before final design approval for mass production was granted.

“Working closely with TOYOTA’s design and engineering teams allowed us to push the boundaries of what’s possible with effect pigments,” said Dr. Laurent Deloux, Lab Head for Application Technology Decorative Pigments at SUSONITY. “The dual validation process ensured that our materials met both aesthetic and durability standards, which was key to the project’s success.”

Supply Chain Collaboration: From a Single Model to a Continuous Partnership

This collaboration holds significant demonstration value in the industry collaboration model. In traditional automotive supply chains, there is usually a first-level supplier between raw material manufacturers and vehicle manufacturers, and material innovation often lags behind design decisions. However, this time, SUSONITY under Global New Material International, which is involved in the design stage of Toyota vehicles, proactively intervened and collaborated with the first-level supplier PVL and the vehicle manufacturer Toyota, jointly completing the entire chain development from color matching, material verification to production tool adaptation, enabling the innovation at the raw material level to be directly transformed into the visual and craftsmanship performance of the final production pieces.

Based on the cooperation results of the Aygo X Hybrid project, Toyota has initiated new research and development projects with SUSONITY and PVL, jointly exploring advanced surface effects and color designs for future vehicle models. This marks that the collaboration among the three parties has extended from a single vehicle model to a continuous material innovation partnership for future product cycles.

From the early collaboration of Toyota’s design studio to the mass production implementation of vehicle interior components, this cooperation path confirms the direction of Global New Material International’s participation in the international high-end manufacturing industry chain through technological innovation and global resource integration. GNMI will continue to promote the deep application of high-end new material technologies in the global market.