Volkswagen to develop plant-based leather made from hemp in sustainability push
The car manufacturer plans to use the innovative material for its car interiors from 2028.
Volkswagen's new plant-based leather made from hemp. Credit: Volkswagen
Leading car manufacturer Volkswagen has announced that it is developing a new sustainable leather alternative that is made from industrial hemp.
The company had set out to develop an innovative and sustainable surface material for the automotive sector. The result is a new material known as LOVR - letters which stand for leather-free, oil-free, vegan and residue-based - and is made with 100 percent bio-based hemp.
As part of the circular and sustainable approach, the hemp is produced from residues of the hemp industry that have no further use. And at the end of its service life in an automobile, the material can be recycled or composted too.
The material, which has been developed in collaboration with German start-up Revoltech GmbH, has been specifically developed with the automotive industry in mind and can be produced on existing industrial plants.
Credit: Volkswagen
The material, which has been developed in collaboration with German start-up Revoltech GmbH, has been specifically developed with the automotive industry in mind and can be produced on existing industrial plants.
Founder of Revoltech GmbH Lucas Fuhrmann confirmed in a statement that the new surface material is scalable and therefore suitable for use in large-scale production. He describes LOVR as “groundbreaking for sustainability” in the automobile industry.
Initial presentations of the material have received “very positive” responses and feedback from customers, Volkswagen says. The brand aims to use the leather alternative in car interiors from 2028.
“Our clear goal is to fuse customer wishes, sustainability requirements and corporate interests”, said Andreas Walingen, Head of Strategy at Volkswagen.
Car brands like Volkswagen are increasingly looking towards leather alternatives to improve their sustainability credentials and meet customer demand for brands to make more environmentally-friendly choices.
Car interiors have typically used animal leather to line the seats, steering wheel and gear stick. 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.
However, recent public and industry awareness of leather’s negative environmental impact has resulted in several brands replacing leather with more sustainable, animal-free materials.
Car brands innovate to replace environmentally-damaging leather
Earlier this year, BMW announced that its latest model will feature a completely vegan interior as standard. The BMW 5 Series Touring model features a vegan leather called Veganza, which BMW described as “outstanding” and equivalent to leathers in terms of feel, appearance and functionality.
The vegan leather interior of the BMW 5 Series Touring. Credit: BMW Group
By replacing animal leather interiors with vegan alternatives, BMW Group will reduce the CO2 emissions of surface materials by 85 percent, the brand said.
Other leading car makers including Mercedes-Benz and Tesla also offer animal leather-free car interiors, while the iconic MINI brand has gone one step further with plans to make all of its future cars completely leather-free.
Is this the beginning of the end for animal leather?
The animal-leather industry is worth over $100 billion, with more than a billion animals slaughtered for their skins every year.
But a future free from animal leather could be a possibility sooner than expected, as leading companies make the switch to vegan and animal-free materials.
As well as car makers, global companies from clothing brands to tech giants have also recognised leather’s damaging environmental footprint.
Apple for example has committed to no longer using leather in any new product including phone cases and watch straps, as part of its efforts to meet its carbon-neutral sustainability goals by 2030.
"Leather is a popular material for accessories, but it has a significant carbon footprint, especially at Apple’s scale,” said Lisa Jackson, Vice President for Environment at Apple. Apple will instead use a new textile called Fine Woven, which boasts a “soft, suede-like feel”, and has a “significantly lower carbon footprint than leather”.
We Have A Favor To Ask…
Species Unite amplifies well-researched solutions to some of the most abusive animal industries operating today.
At this crucial moment, with worldwide momentum for change building, it’s vital we share these animal-free solutions with the world - and we need your help.
We’re a nonprofit, and so to keep sharing these solutions, we’re relying on you - with your support, we can continue our essential work in growing a powerful community of animal advocates this year.
