Volvo Cars has said that its range of vehicles will go leather-free or âvegan friendlyâ by 2030.
Bio-based and recycled materials will be used in place of leather to appeal to consumersâ growing desire for sustainably sourced products.
Speaking to Reuters, Volvoâs head of design Robin Page said: âWeâve got a new generation of customers coming through, theyâre far more interested in the products they buy and having an ethical story behind them.
âThey want to understand where the materials come from.â
âFor 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.â
Vegan-friendly materials
Volvo has said that the shift towards leather-free alternatives recognises customer concerns over animal welfare issues in the leather industry and the environmental impacts of cattle farming.
The carmaker also aims to cut its carbon footprint by using recycled polyester and linen from flax plants.
These flax plants are grown in Sweden and replenish the soil in between crops. Volvo will also use flax fibres for door panels.
âConsumers are not just focused on the sustainability of the end product but also the material that goes into it, including the sourcing,â said Stuart Templar, Volvoâs director of global sustainability.
Volvoâs move to vegan-friendly materials aligns with its plan to offer an all-electric lineup of cars by 2030.
The currently available all-electric C40 Recharge model from Volvo is already leather-free, and the brand is exploring using materials such as Nordico â made from forestry byproducts, recycled corks and plastic bottles â that head of design Page said has the same âsoftness and warmthâ as leather.
Looking to remove leather from your life? Check out the must-have vegan leather accessories.
Source: Veganfoodandliving.com