Volkswagen Partners with Revoltech to Introduce Sustainable Hemp-Based Material for Car Interiors by 2028

Industrial hemp – future, sustainable leather alternative for car interiors: different variants of embossing

(IN BRIEF) Volkswagen has partnered with the German start-up Revoltech GmbH to develop a 100% bio-based leather alternative made from industrial hemp. This sustainable material, named LOVR™, is being designed for use in car interiors and could be integrated into Volkswagen vehicles as early as 2028. The material is fully recyclable, compostable, and produced using residues from the regional hemp industry. It can be manufactured on existing industrial plants, making it suitable for large-scale production. The collaboration reflects Volkswagen’s commitment to sustainability and innovation in automotive design.

(PRESS RELEASE) WOLFSBURG/ DARMSTADT, 30-Aug-2024 — /EuropaWire/ — Volkswagen has partnered with German start-up Revoltech GmbH to explore the use of industrial hemp as a sustainable alternative to traditional automotive materials. This collaboration aims to develop a 100% bio-based leather substitute, called LOVR™, designed specifically for car interiors. The material, derived from industrial hemp, is fully recyclable and compostable, offering an eco-friendly option that can be produced on existing industrial equipment.

Volkswagen’s predevelopment team and Revoltech GmbH are working together to refine this material, which is expected to be introduced in Volkswagen vehicles by 2028. The project aligns with Volkswagen’s ACCELERATE strategy, which emphasizes sustainability and resource conservation. The LOVR™ material has already garnered positive feedback from initial presentations, highlighting its potential to meet both customer expectations and environmental goals.

Lucas Fuhrmann, CEO and co-founder of Revoltech GmbH, described the collaboration as a significant step toward enhancing sustainability in the automotive industry. Volkswagen sees this partnership as a model for how established companies and innovative start-ups can combine their strengths to bring groundbreaking solutions to market more rapidly.

This hemp-based material is sourced from regional hemp fields and uses residues from the hemp industry, ensuring a circular production process. It not only meets sustainability criteria but also offers the scalability required for large-scale automotive production. By integrating this innovative material into future car interiors, Volkswagen and Revoltech are setting a new standard for eco-friendly vehicle design.

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SOURCE: Volkswagen AG