Range Rover to use Bridge of Weir leather in new vehicle
22/10/2012
The group designed and built a £6million thermal energy plant at its site in Bridge of Weir, launching it in July 2010. Scottish Leather Group said this privately funded investment was essential for it to reduce the amount of waste going to landfill. As a result, it now claims to manufacture the leather with the lowest carbon-footprint in the world and markets it as low carbon leather.
Range Rover said in explaining its decision: “Having constructed such a cutting-edge car, the interior materials choice was crucial in order to increase its sustainability without compromising luxury. Leather is one of the original recycled materials: for millennia it has been a by-product of farming, but its manufacture has been highly resource-intensive. Bridge of Weir has created one of the most sustainable manufacturing processes in the world. The factory has its own thermal energy plant providing 70% of its needs, with a target of 100% by 2015. In addition, all waste products of the tanning process are recycled, with oils being converted into biodiesel and ash used to make house bricks. Even the offcuts are recycled into clothing accessories such as belts. The carbon footprint of leather in the all new Range Rover has been reduced by 46% per square-metre.”
Jamie Davidson, Bridge of Weir sales director, said on making the Range Rover announcement: “We have worked very closely with the Land Rover design team over a number of years to achieve a product that is just right for this outstanding new vehicle. It is a soft and sumptuous luxury leather, but low carbon, very technically advanced with superior performance and durability attributes as well. It is our flagship leather product for the world’s most refined and capable sports utility vehicle.”
The Bridge of Weir Leather Company won Tannery of the Year for Europe in 2010.
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