Suede ahead
We produce Dinamica® by applying the principles of the circular economy and ensuring high standards throughout the entire production cycle.
This is how we have always worked and will continue to work.
Miko s.r.l. was founded in 1997 and based its head office in Gorizia. Since the beginning of its activities, the company focused on the production of Dinamica®, a microfibre which resembles suede and is obtained through an innovative process for recycling polyester* and initially used in the furnishings and fashion sectors.
* Recycled fibre content varying depending on the product and application.About us
Intuition, entrepreneurship, continuous investment in research and development are the drivers that over the years have enabled us to approach even the most demanding sectors, in particular the automotive sector.
To do business for business’s sake is not a sustainable choice neither for us nor for our customers. We cannot just be good at manufacturing an exceptional product. The way we manufacture it is what makes the difference.
Governance
Miko is an Italian limited liability company which is part of the Sage Group Automotive Interiors, with its head office in South Carolina (United States), a subsidiary of the Japanese Asahi Kasei Corporation.
Miko has always been committed to adhering to a series of ethical principles which, from 1997 to the present day, have inspired and guided its entire management system as stated in our Organisational Model and Code of Ethics. By strictly complying with these values Miko has achieved a leading position among Italian companies.
Our focus on achieving quality and protecting the environment is evidenced by the certifications received from international institutions with which Miko has always worked with the strictest rigour.
Agenda 2030
Miko does not only focus on the quality of the product but is also committed to achieving the objectives for sustainable development set out in the United Nations’ 2030 agenda.
We believe that sustainable development is the best way for us to grow, evolve and manage the share capital both for our benefit and for that of future generations.
To create a better future, to satisfy our needs for growth, development and wealth, without putting the resources of future generations at risk is an obligation that Miko has decided to take upon itself and to achieve with transparency by announcing that it wishes to become Carbon Neutral by 2024. At Miko we believe that sustainability is a fundamental aspect of the company's development and must be included in its annual Sustainability Report
Dinamica® by Miko is the made-in-Italy microfibre which is produced in part by using recycled polyester (the recycled content varies according to the product line and application, click here) without the use of organic solvents** but using a water-based process.
The manufacturing process used by Dinamica® makes it possible to extract fewer virgin raw materials since it uses a part of recycled fibres of waste products which would otherwise be sent to landfill sites or incinerated, thereby reducing CO2 emissions and other environmental impacts associated with these processes.
**For example, DMF and trichloroethylene that can be used to manufacture synthetic materials.Technology
Care and respect for the environment and the commitment to the circular economy are the values that have guided our production since 1997 and pave the way towards future innovation.
In a nutshell, Dinamica® consists of three layers:
face, inner scrim and backing.
Submerged in a water solution, the inner scrim attracts small polyester fibres, which are suspended in the liquid, to both surfaces; these are compacted using a water-based needle punching process.
The microfibre is then immersed in a water-based polyurethane bath without using solvents in order to minimise the health and environmental impacts. This process compacts the fibres, making them elastic and resistant.
During the dyeing and finishing stage, the production cycles are optimised and monitored managing the energy consumption at best and minimising the waste of chemical products and water which is then drained through our purifier and partially re-used.
Care
Dinamica®'s technical properties ensure that it’s resistant over time. However, in order to maintain its quality longer we recommend that you follow these simple cleaning and maintenance instructions.
The cleaning product we recommend is the one made by UNITERS Spa
Dinamica® microfibre is a versatile material of exceptional quality and performance. In fact, it is suitable for use in all kinds of sectors but in recent years it has become very popular in the automotive industry where it is used by some of the most important car makers in the world.
In these days in which car makers are focusing on reducing the environmental impact of their vehicles, Dinamica® has proven to be the choice that looks to the future and is the perfect material for upholstering the interiors of vehicles.
Indeed, Dinamica® always guarantees the highest standards throughout the production cycle.
Pure line
With a view to always supply cutting-edge microfibre products of the highest quality, in 2020 Miko designed a new line for cars called Pure featuring a much higher proportion*** of recycled polyester fibres made from a mixture of industrial waste fibres and clothes (pre-consumer) and plastic bottles (post-consumer) ensuring the usual high levels of technical performance while improving its environmental footprint.
Same microfibre.
Simply better.****
Dinamica® Auto Pure data:
News
At Miko we have always believed that responsibility is not a marginal aspect. Protecting and respecting the environment and people are at the heart of Dinamica®’s production, which makes it unique.
The goal towards responsible production started in 1997 with the invention of recycled* water-based microfibre and continues today with the implementation of a number of projects aimed at protecting the natural environment.
Our Sustainability Report which is based on the guidelines of the Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) sums up what it means to be responsible: to care for the environment (by using recycled materials and reducing pollutants and energy consumption) but above all to focus on the wellbeing and safety of the people who are with us every day.
* Recycled fibre content varying depending on the product and application.Climate positive
Europe aims to be the first Carbon Neutral continent by 20501. At Miko we believe this isn't enough and are aiming even higher: in a period of climate crisis, you need faster and more drastic measures. Therefore, by 2030 Miko intends to capture more CO2 than it emits and become Climate Positive by working closely with the local communities.
Becoming Climate Positive means leaving
the world in a better shape than how we found it.
Miko is committed to achieving the goal of Climate Positive by taking intermediate steps which include initially reducing and off-setting the direct emissions generated by the production plant at via Ressel, 3, Gorizia by 2024. After this, we aim to include in our sustainability report the pre-production stages that involve producing a number of greenhouse gases caused by the production of raw materials and by the following stages up to when they are delivered to Miko.
Assisted by Etifor, a spin-off of the University of Padua, Miko adopts a systematic method in order to achieve Climate Positive objectives, which is based on the following principles: measure, avoid, risk and capture.
Measure
Since 2011, Miko has adopted a Life-Cycle-Thinking approach by using the Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) from cradle to gate methodology and the Environmental Product Declaration (EPD®).
These days we know exactly how much water we consume, how much CO2 we emit and how much pollution we produce at every stage in the life cycle of the product.
In order to make the method applied for the EPD® certification systematic, in 2013 Miko obtained the certification of the EPD® Process*****. This certification makes it possible for Miko to automatically and internally collect and validate the data and to issue new EPD®s for the certification. This is where the eco-design concept comes from: products designed to improve Dinamica® environmental performance.
***** As part of the International EPD® System program verified by an organization which is accredited for the certification.
Avoid
Dinamica® is a microfibre used in the automotive, fashion and furnishings sector produced through the use of recycled materials in various percentages depending on the product line and the application. Its production process enables it to extract fewer virgin raw materials since it uses a part of recycled fibres of waste products which would normally be sent to landfill sites or incinerated.
We have designed a luxury recycled* product by embracing a number of environmental issues which today are of key importance.
* Recycled fibre content varying depending on the product and application.Our commitment to the circular economy
Dinamica® is currently used for products intended for the luxury, design and high-tech segments. Furthermore, in order to ensure the circularity of the entire life cycle of the microfibre, Miko is exploring ways of recycling Dinamica® at the end of its useful life and turning it into semi-finished products such as thermal and sound insulation panels.
In 2013, in order to improve its own environmental performance, Miko developed a number of important projects which contributed towards the optimisation of the production cycles leading to a significant reduction in the consumption of energy, water and chemical products used in the various production stages.
Furthermore, since 2014 Miko has reduced its consumption of water by adopting an internal recirculation system that entails re-using some of the water from the washing phase.
Furthermore, with regard to its energy requirements, Miko obtains some renewable energy from 1 MW solar panels located on the roof of the factory, a further sign of our commitment to the application of the principles of the circular economy.
From 2021, all electricity used by the company comes from renewable sources.
Risk
The climate crisis, extreme weather events, and the loss of biodiversity are considered the greatest challenges over the next few years2. Miko has always looked after the environment to mitigate the risks associated with extreme weather events and the approach it has adopted is based on the circular economy as well as reducing the risks caused by climate change, by being one step ahead of environmental and social legislation.
By working in close collaboration with the local communities and reputable scientific partners we have shown how reputational risks can be turned into positive measures.
Capture
The tree is the symbol of the battle against the climate crisis but is also ideal since it produces such a positive image. Trees produce oxygen, capture and keep CO2, release clean air and are home to the rarest species of animals.
For this reason, each year, Miko looks after 13,000 trees all over the world to capture and keep CO2. The forests we maintain in accordance with the strictest standards of the Forest Stewardship Council® (FSC) will guarantee the presence of forests for everyone and forever.
Colours
Be inspired by the colours and find the perfect
Pantone® number for your project.
Discover our bright Dinamica® colours, which are highly resistant to the damage caused by sun rays and remain unaltered through time. What’s the secret? The advanced technology of our production cycle. Time passes but colours stay the same. Thanks to the possibility of personalising colours, Dinamica® can provide solutions to suit all tastes by covering all the shades of the colour scale.
Technologies
Technology and research are the drivers of innovation and over the years they have both led to experimentation and the production of unique products, specially designed to suit our customers, from their colour to their style. Thanks to their versatility, exceptional performance and the highest quality, Dinamica® microfibre is the ideal material which can be used to create a wide range of a variety of personalised products and can be adapted to many different technologies.
- PERFORATION: laser and punching
- BAS RELIEF: embossing and electro-welding
- PRINT: 3D, digital, silk-screen, transfer and laser incision
- SEAMS: embroidery, quilting and sewing
- OTHER TYPES OF DECORATION: weaving and plissé
Collections
From these experiments we have begun collaborating with schools, universities, museums and various artists working in contemporary design. Our creativity and continuous research into new trends, colours and shapes have led us to create two collections that are highly innovative with the aim of creating a new model of dynamic interaction with the automotive world.
