- Some leather materials can play a major role in reducing CO2
- Plant-based materials are being investigated as skin alternatives
- The leather industry is falling behind on sustainable alternatives
Some leather materials may have a lower environmental impact than traditional leather made from animal hides, but may require some development work, according to a new report by research firm IDTechEx.
Plant-based materials and mycelium (mushrooms) are materials some leather attracting a lot of interest, according to the report. Although it may be a more sustainable alternative to animal-based leather, the production of which is associated with greenhouse gas emissions, deforestation, and land degradation due to cattle ranching, the report notes.
Leather made from plants it can be made from several sources, including apple skins, pineapple leaves, cacti, grapes, and bamboo, the report said, adding that the challenge in making it a viable alternative to animal skins is to reduce the plastic content and ensure sufficient durability.
Mercedes Vision EQXX EV concept
Another way mycelial skin made from filamentous roots of the fungus, which can be woven together into a mat-like format that can be cut and shaped, according to the report. Potential benefits include lower water and energy use, and the ability to both raise stock and produce leather in the same area.
Automakers are already there checking out the shrooms. The Mercedes-Benz Vision EQXX and Cadillac Sollei EV concepts both used mycelium in their surface dressing. But it was also intended as a production car.
Microbial and lab-grown material, made from fermentation of microorganisms and biopsies of animal skin cells, is another possibility, according to the report. This is still in the early stages of development, and currently requires the use of certain plastics in the final product, the report notes. The use of animal skin cells also means that the resulting leather is not vegan, although it will still be significantly better than conventional leather in terms of reducing carbon emissions.
Cadillac Sollei concept
As car manufacturers continue to reduce carbon emissions from electric vehicles, more attention is being paid to the use of sustainable materials to further reduce the carbon footprint of new vehicles. Volkswagen is working with synthetic leather made from hemp, and NASCAR even released flax-based bodywork for its prototype electric race car.
However, the leather industry is in decline. The trade group opposes that choice skin reduces the carbon footprint of EVs because cows are already raised as a source of food, so the use of leather hides is to increase things that would otherwise be wasted. But that's as big an argument against eating meat as it is against using synthetic leather.