Volkswagen is working to redefine car interiors in a more sustainable and eco-conscious way, introducing a completely vegan and oil-free alternative to traditional leather, based on hemp. This innovation is the result of a collaboration between the German car manufacturer and the start-up Revoltech GmbH, which developed a material called LOVRcreated from industrial hemp residues.
LOVR represents an innovative and biodegradable solution, capable of replacing the traditional synthetic leather used for car interiors. This new material, which could enter Volkswagen vehicles by 2028is part of the ACCELERATE corporate strategy, aimed at promoting sustainability and satisfying growing consumer demand for environmentally friendly products.
The LOVR fabricentirely vegan, is made from hemp byproducts that would otherwise be wasted and is both recyclable and compostable at the end of its life cycle. This makes it an environmentally friendly alternative to synthetic materials traditionally used in the automotive industry, which are often derived from plastic and less environmentally friendly. Furthermore the material can be produced on a large scale using existing industrial plantsmaking it a viable solution even at a mass production level.
Other automotive companies have also introduced vegan interior options
The collaboration between Volkswagen and Revoltech has been positively received by both customers and industry experts, as it represents a further step towards a greater sustainability in the automotive industry. Lucas Fuhrmann, CEO of Revoltech, defined LOVR a revolutionary material that could transform car interior design in an ecological way.
This initiative from Volkswagen comes at a time when PETAthe animal rights organization, is urging automakers to abandon the use of materials such as leather and woolconsidered not only harmful to animals, but also to the environment.
While some luxury manufacturers such as Ferrari and Lamborghini continue to use leather, others such as Citroën, Mercedes-Benz and Volvo have already introduced vegan interior options. Volkswagen, with LOVR materialaims to position itself at the forefront of the transition towards a more sustainable and cruelty-free future, satisfying the needs of a clientele increasingly attentive to the environment and animal rights.