Volvo will go leather-free on the interiors of its electric vehicle models

Volvo Cars intend every one of its models to be leather-free by 2030, marking the best incarnation of automakers' attempts at making their vehicles more environmentally friendly.

As part of Volvo's plan to become a completely circular company by 2040, Volvo wants 25 percent of the material in new Volvo automobiles to be recycled or bio-based by 2025. It also wants all of its direct suppliers, including material suppliers, to utilise 100 percent renewable energy by 2025 as part of its climate action objectives.

Volvo Cars will offer consumers substitutes to leather interiors, such as high-quality sustainable materials manufactured from bio-based and recyclable sources.

Nordico, a new material manufactured by Volvo Cars interior material, will be made out of fabrics manufactured from recycled PET bottles, bio-attributed material from sustainable forests in Sweden and Finland, and corks recycled from the wine industry. Volvo's next generation of vehicles will include this material for the first time.

Volvo Cars will also continue to offer wool mix alternatives from suppliers who have been certified to source ethically, as the business strives to maintain complete traceability and animal welfare across its wool supply chain.

Stuart Templar, Director of Global Sustainability at Volvo Cars said, "Being a progressive car maker means we need to address all areas of sustainability, not just CO2 emissions. Responsible sourcing is an important part of that work, including respect for animal welfare. Going leather-free inside our pure electric cars is a good next step towards addressing this issue. Finding products and materials that support animal welfare will be challenging, but that is no reason to avoid this important issue. This is a journey worth taking. Having a truly progressive and sustainable mindset means we need to ask ourselves difficult questions and actively try to find answers."

Volvo Cars also wants to decrease the use of leftover products from livestock production, which are frequently used in the manufacture of plastics, rubber, lubricants, and adhesives, either as part of the material or as a process chemical in the production or treatment of the material.

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