BMW and MINI To Release Vegan Car Interiors in 2023, Reducing CO2 Emissions by 85 Percent

WEAR

Sep 15

The BMW Group plans to launch its first vehicles featuring completely vegan interiors in 2023 thanks to the development of sustainable, high-quality innovative materials with leather-like properties.

The BMW Group has announced plans to launch its first vehicles, both BMW and MINI models, featuring 100 percent vegan interiors in 2023, as part of the luxury car maker’s commitment to sustainability.

Made possible thanks to the development of innovative plant-based leather alternatives, the move will reduce the CO2 emissions of surface materials by 85 percent compared to animal-based leather.

Around 80 percent of the emissions are in the form of methane gas from rearing cows. The remaining 20 percent are from the processing of the cowhide, which is highly energy-and water-intensive.

The reduction of CO2 emissions over the entire life cycle of a vehicle is the central goal of the BMW Group on the road to climate neutrality, which is to be achieved by 2050 at the latest, according to the brand.

The BMW group also hopes to meet the rapidly growing demand for vegan and leather-free interiors, which is set to increase further in the near future, especially in the US, China and Europe.

High-quality, animal-free materials

On the agenda for BMW was proving sustainable animal-free leather solutions, without diminishing the quality experience of their vehicles, with particularly high demands placed on steering wheel surfaces in terms of appearance, wear resistance and durability.

“The steering wheel of the future, made of high-quality vegan surface material, meets the outstanding expectations of a premium brand and its customers and is equivalent to leather in terms of feel, appearance and functionality,” said Uwe Köhler, Head of Body, Exterior and Interior Development of BMW Group.

“The innovative material withstands wear and tear caused by abrasion, perspiration, and moisture and has all the desirable properties of leather.”

Alongside existing high-quality textile finishes and leather alternatives, the BMW Group is also developing new bio-based surfaces in collaboration with start-up companies.

In addition, by using bio-based raw materials, 100 percent recycled polyester textile and cork, CO2 emissions can be reduced by up to 45 percent compared to today’s PVC artificial leather.

Cruelty-free cactus leather

One of the brand partnerships is with Mexican company Adriano di Marti, which produces vegan leather made from cacti. The collaboration will see the cactus-based material made ready for the automotive industry.

“We are convinced that our cactus-based vegan biomaterials contribute significantly to the automotive industry’s sustainability efforts by replacing traditional cowhide with renewable, vegan alternatives,” say founders Marte Cázarez and Adrián López Velarde.

Unlike cowhide, the cacti is chemical-free, and does not produce methane gas or wastewater. In addition, their cactus fields actively contribute to fighting climate catastrophe by storing 8,100 tonnes of CO2 in the soil every year.

The automobile company is also working with another innovative, bio-based product, Mirum. BMW i Ventures has been investing in Natural Fiber Welding since last year to support the start-up in commercializing its products.

“Natural Fiber Welding has developed an innovative process to convert plants into a natural, 100 percent recyclable material that mimics all the properties of traditional leather,” said Kasper Sage, Managing Partner at BMW i Ventures.

“Having a premium-quality, scalable, low-cost alternative to leather is key to the further decarbonisation of the automotive industry.”

“New Luxury”

The BMW Group Design are also working to further innovative materials and production methods to help lower the industry’s CO2 emissions and increase the use of recycled materials. To do this, they are taking inspiration from the fashion and furniture industry, with one example being the MINI “3D-Knit” seat study. The 3D weaving process produces practically zero waste and takes far less time than the conventional manufacturing process.

“We are testing how these innovative materials can be combined and how they can be best used. In the process, we are creating unique seats with a whole new aesthetic that also prompts discussion. It is important to have a dialogue about this, for example to define New Luxury,” said Annette Baumeister, Head of BMW Material and Colour Design.

A leather-free automobile industry

The BMW group joins multiple automobile brands choosing to replace traditional leather with sustainable, animal-free leather alternatives.

Last year, Volvo announced that all battery-electric models will be animal-leather free, starting with its C40 Recharge SUV, as part of its mission to become a circular business by 2040. Meanwhile, Volkswagen, Mercedes-Benz, and Tesla are among those who also offer animal leather-free car interiors.

The animal-leather industry is worth $400 billion, with more than a billion cows, pigs, goats, sheep, alligators, ostriches, kangaroos, dogs and cats slaughtered for their skins every year. To cover the interior of a standard car, it takes an average of three cows’ hides, with some requiring as many as 15, according to People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals.

Due to innovative solutions and growing consumer demand for ethical alternatives, such as cacti leather, the vegan leather sector is predicted to be worth $89.6 billion by 2025.

What we think, wear and eat matters. Do you think you could embrace plant-based living for 30 days? We do. This October, sign up for the Species Unite 30-Day Vegan Challenge to discover a whole new world, from recipes that will trick your most carnivorous friends to shoes, boots and bags made from some of the most magical plants on the planet. Take part here!

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