Volvo to use leather-free upholstery in future vehicles

Volvo to use leather-free upholstery in future vehicles

Volvo sees sustainability in motoring as more than the energy sources used for the propulsion of its vehicles; this has extended to looking after animal welfare, as well, specifically to no longer use leather trim in its cars, which will also be going fully electric.

The Swedish brand is working to source high-quality, sustainable sources for many materials currently used in the car industry, and it is aiming to have 25% of material in its new cars to be from recycled and bio-based content in its aim to become a fully circular business by 2040, it said. To that end, Volvo is also aiming for its immediate suppliers, including for materials, to use 100% renewable energy by 2025.

Among the efforts towards that overall goal is the creation of Nordico, a synthetic material created from recycled material comprised of PET (polyethylene terephthalate) bottles, bio-attributed material from sustainable forests in Sweden and Finland, along with corks from wine bottling. Currently available leather-free trim options at Volvo include tailored wool blend upholstery that features in the 2022 XC60.

Volvo’s move towards leather-free material for its cars’ interiors is driven by concern for the impact of cattle farming upon the environment, which includes deforestation; around 14% of greenhouse gas emissions are estimated to be from livestock, most of which emerging from cattle farming, says Volvo.

“Being progressive car maker means we need to address all areas of sustainability, not just CO2 emissions. Responsible sourcing is an important part of that work, including respect for animal welfare. Going leather-free inside our pure electric cars is a good next step towards addressing this issue,” said Volvo Cars director of global sustainability Stuart Templar.

It doesn’t stop there. Volvo is also looking to reduce the use of residual products from livestock production, or in the manufacture of plastics, rubber, lubricants and adhesives, either as a part of the material or as a process chemical in the materials’ production or treatment.

The automaker believes that while going leather-free is a step in the right direction, that alone does not make a vegan car interior; it aims to take a strong, ethical position to help stop harm towards animals by contributing towards a reduced demand for materials containing animal products.

“Finding products and materials that support animal welfare will be challenging, but that is no reason to avoid this important issue. This is a journey worth taking. Having a truly progressive and sustainable mindset means we need to ask ourselves difficult questions and actively try and find answers,” Templar said.

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Mick Chan

Open roads and closed circuits hold great allure for Mick Chan. Driving heaven to him is exercising a playful chassis on twisty paths; prizes ergonomics and involvement over gadgetry. Spent three years at a motoring newspaper and short stint with a magazine prior to joining this website.

 

Comments

  • Leather free? Hm……………..

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 6
  • macampondan on Sep 24, 2021 at 12:41 pm

    PVU ! lol

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 3
  • Wong Lee Yin on Sep 24, 2021 at 1:25 pm

    No use! No use. This brand will going to bankrupt. Honda will sell better than Volvo. Soon, Honda will sell millions of vehicles in the world while all brands will going to bankrupt that will make relieved for Honda fans. To other fans, can start worry and cry

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 7 Thumb down 13
  • Leather free…then pangkat drop anither a level become more non lux brand. But actually, who cares? Sofa still using leather, lux wallet, purse, handbag….why not focus more on brand value, engine, design…blaa blaa..

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 1 Thumb down 1
  • use recycled plastic je

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 1
  • Celup King on Sep 24, 2021 at 2:11 pm

    Volvo following small bro Proton to introduce Leatherette as replacement for leather.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 3 Thumb down 0
  • Azgarffield on Sep 24, 2021 at 2:27 pm

    Animal welfare? I don’t suppose they killed a cow just to get the leather out of it, right? Unless it’s from a calf (due to young age) – like that calf has not lived a fulfilling live

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 2 Thumb down 0
    • Consumer cars uses normal cow leathers as it is larger thus more skin are used. Calf leather are typically for luxury cars.

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0
  • Arizal on Sep 24, 2021 at 3:20 pm

    Nothings beat the real leather

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 3 Thumb down 2
  • dimitriy on Sep 24, 2021 at 3:48 pm

    Patutnya harga akan lagi murah la kan?

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 2 Thumb down 3
  • kenot on Sep 24, 2021 at 10:56 pm

    no leather no luxury…

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 4 Thumb down 3
  • Taj Mahal Murah on Sep 25, 2021 at 11:57 am

    Tree hut primates and cavemen mentality always associates luxury with animal hide

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 5 Thumb down 4
    • Pangaea Civilian on Sep 27, 2021 at 5:50 pm

      well for thousands of years barbarians cover up their body with animal hide until far east civilization introduced weaving cloth and taught barbarian basic sewing lessons.

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 3
      • jojobadrink on Sep 27, 2021 at 10:13 pm

        Barbarians existed in all civilizations. Even present human civilization, we still encounter barbarians albeit in different guise.

        Like or Dislike: Thumb up 2 Thumb down 0
  • Leather is only the by-product of beef production. Leather industry thrives because of the demand for beef…not the other way around.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 1 Thumb down 3
    • Stop eating beef and stop using leather products then. It starts from you and you alone.

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 2 Thumb down 1
  • Amin S on Sep 26, 2021 at 2:20 am

    Leather is a byproduct of the meat industry. Ceating more unnecessary things in the world while leather is laying abundant seems counter intuitive innit?

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 2 Thumb down 2
    • peasantman on Sep 27, 2021 at 10:09 pm

      You can start to stop eating beef and stop buying leather products. Change starts from you and you alone.

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 3 Thumb down 1
 

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