Volvo told Reuters the shift recognises customer concerns over animal welfare issues in the leather industry and the environmental impacts of cattle farming.

Volvo's electric C40 Recharge model is leather-free, and the company is exploring using materials such as Nordico - made from forestry byproducts, recycled corks and plastic bottles - that head of design, Robin Page, said has the same "softness and warmth" as leather.

He said: “For someone who loves leather but is aware of the negative effects of leather on the environment, this is a good, modern way to capture the properties but is the right material for the future.”

LHCA president Stephen Sothmann responded: “There is not a farmer or rancher in the world who is raising cattle or sheep for leather production purposes. Hides and skins are an inevitable by-product of meat and dairy production, and if not recycled for leather, will simply be discarded in a landfill or incinerated. Volvo’s announcement will only lead to more unnecessary waste.”

The LHCA estimates that about 4.8 million US hides went to waste in 2020 rather than being used for leather production. 

“Research affirms the number of cattle reared for meat and dairy production would remain unchanged even if people stopped buying leather. It underscores the important role the leather industry plays in recycling a readily available by-product, while reducing waste and inhibiting environmental degradation in the process,” added Mr Sothmann.

“If Volvo wishes to utilise more recycled and bio-based natural materials in its vehicles, it should look no further than the original article – leather.”

In March, Leatherbiz questioned Volvo on its decision to produce its pure-electric vehicles without leather; Volvo said it would make a statement in due course. At the time, the secretary of the International Council of Tanners, Dr Kerry Senior, reacted by saying: “Not using leather will change nothing with regard to livestock rearing or animal welfare. It will see increasing numbers of hides simply being thrown away and a proliferation of synthetic materials that are mostly derived from unsustainable fossil-fuels.”

 

Image credit: Volvo